Sexual Behaviors Among Older Adults in Spain: Results from a Population-Based National Sexual Health Survey

Abstract

Introduction The Spanish National Sexual Health Survey (SNSHS) is designed to examine sexual activity, sexual behaviors, and sexual health among the Spanish population. Aim To describe sexual activity and behaviors of Spaniards aged ≥65 years old focusing on gender differences. Methods A population-based descriptive study was conducted using individual data from the SNSHS. The number of subjects aged ≥65 years included was 1,939 (1,118 women, 821 men). Main Outcome Measures Sexual activity, frequency, sexual behaviors, sexual practices, and reasons for lack of sexual activity were assessed from questions included in the survey. Subjects who reported having any sexual practice including giving or receiving kissing and hugging, vaginal intercourse, oral sex, or masturbation, with at least one partner in the previous 12 months were considered as sexually active. We analyzed sociodemographic characteristics, self-rated physical and sexual health, comorbid conditions, and medications using multivariate logistic regression models. Results Overall, 62.3% of men and 37.4% of elderly women were sexually active (P < 0.01). The prevalence of sexual inactivity significantly increased with age (P < 0.01, odds ratio [OR] 5.8, 95% confidence interval 3.8–9.05 men; 6.37, 3.9–10.4 women). Not having a partner was a predictor of sexual inactivity (OR 5.79, 3.98–8.42 men; OR 12.0, 8.4–17.2 women). Worse self-rated sexual health, suffering ≥2 comorbid conditions, and taking ≥2 medications were associated with higher probability of reporting no sexual activity in both men and women. The most common sexual practices were kissing, hugging, and vaginal intercourse. The most common reasons for sexual inactivity were: partner was physically ill (23%), lack of interest (21%), and the man was a widower (23%). Conclusions This study provided data on sexual activity in older Spanish adults and has identified potential factors that appear to influence sexuality in the elderly with some gender differences. Current results can have implications for healthcare providers for addressing these concerns in an effective manner.

Sexuality in Older Adults (65+)—An Overview of The Recent Literature, Part 2: Body Image and Sexual Satisfaction

“…Studies suggest that 40-65% of men and 25-55% of women in the 65-75 age group reported being sexually active in the past 12 months (Beckman et al, 2008;Field et al, 2013;Palacios-Ceña et al, 2012), with comparable proportions of aging women and men reporting that sexuality is important to them (Beckman et al, 2008). In the 1971-2001 repeated cross-sectional study of 70 year olds in a large Swedish city, the more recently surveyed participants were more sexually active, indicating a possible cultural change in how older individuals and couples perceive their sexuality (Beckman et al, 2008).…”

Familiarity with biological, psychological and sociological aspects of ageing among adult population

“…Inostrane studije izveštavaju da stare osobe ostaju seksualno aktivne i tokom poslednjih decenija svog života (Herbenick et al, 2010;Huang et al, 2009), a da fizičko zdravlje značajno korelira sa mnogim aspektima seksualne aktivnosti, nezavisno od godina života (Lindau et al, 2007). Seksualna aktivnost je povezana sa činjenicama postojanja partnera i bolje samopercepcije zdravlja, dok su najčešći razlozi seksualne neaktivnosti nedovoljna zainteresovanost, smrt partnera ili fizička bolest (Palacios-Ceña et al, 2012). Indirektno povezana sa tom temom je tvrdnja iz primenjenog upitnika na koju je tačno odgovorio najmanji broj ispitanika (69 ili 24,6%), a odnosi se na činjenicu da su starije osobe sve više pod rizikom od HIV/ AIDS-a.…”

Regulación de la expresión sexual de los mayores ingresados en residencias: la visión de los profesionales

“…En este sentido, los estereotipos sobre la vejez atribuyen a esta etapa de la vida un declive o incluso una desaparición de los intereses y las necesidades sexuales 1 . Sin embargo, la investigación ha demostrado que no solo los mayores continúan manteniendo relaciones sexuales y teniendo interés por la sexualidad [2][3][4][5] , sino que este tipo de comportamientos e intereses promueve el mantenimiento de la salud y se relaciona con niveles más elevados de bienestar y satisfacción con la vida 6,7 .…”