Romance and Sexual Pleasure Beyond 60 – Fact or Myth

When the subject of sex becomes the focus of attention, most couples cannot hide their excitement. They want to know if there is something new that they can pick up and consider when they jump in bed and have sex. It is also one way for couples to get a sneak preview of how others are doing. Couples want to be reassured; they want to know if there are other couples who are having more fun than them.

This urge to compare notes by couples is the main reason why we often make comical generalizations about the results of studies on sex and sexual relationships. Let us consider one of the most highly circulated sex study which made an incredible conclusion that the most popular sex act of American couples is the conventional coital intercourse. “Experts” believed that the most effective and most popular position in bed is the missionary position.

Modern day couples are not that gullible when it comes to serious aspects of their sexual relationship. Most if not all cannot be easily taken for a ride. If there is one segment of our population who are more exacting when it comes to sex, it would be those belonging to the 60 and beyond age group. Contrary to common belief, couples in their midlife to old age manifest a high level of interest and need for sex. It is safe to say that the notion about sex going on a downward spiral as we age is pure myth.

Let us consider some interesting facts about the sexual activities at midlife to old age. The general findings of researches on the sexual activities of couples belonging to the 45 and older age bracket are quite revealing. Here are the significant points that we should know about the sexual profile of these segment of our population:

· About 50% of the couples belonging to the 45 to 59 years-old bracket have sex with their spouses at least once each week. Further, couples belonging to the 60 to 74 years-old bracket manifested a 30-percent drop for men and 24-percent drop for women.

· Although the frequency of the sexual act generally declines with age, about 70 percent of men and women maintain regular sexual relationship with their partners and, on the average, engage in sexual acts at least once a month.

· 2 out of 3 of couples believe that they have satisfying and healthy sexual relationship.

· As we advance in age, the gender diversity becomes more apparent if we consider the state of relationship of men and women. 1 out of 2 women who fall under the 60 to 74 years old bracket don’t have a regular partner, while 4 out of 5 women who fall under the 75 and up age bracket don’t have regular partner.

· Less than 6 percent of the male population is taking medications indicated for impotence. More than half of those men who belong to this group have confirmed that Viagra is their drug of choice.

· Couples who belong to the 60 and above age bracket agree that good health is a critical element of their sexual relationship. However, 50 percent of men and about 85 percent of women admit that their sexual relationships are not necessarily affected by illnesses.