55 love and sex

Men have twice more chances than the women to be sexually active at advanced ages, but, whatever is the gender, to be healthy is determining for the sexual good behaviour once at these ages. Basing itself on two inquiries with the American population, the study shows that the ditch, which racks itself with the age, is sharply deeper among 75-85 years. About four men on ten in this age say themselves sexually active against less than two women on ten (17 %). To be married or to have an intimate partner reduces however these differences. A survey (1995-1996 ) was made on about 3.000 persons from 25 to 74 years old and the other one (2005-2006) on an equivalent number of people from 57 to 85 years old. The vast majority (95 in 97,8 %) define themselves as heterosexual. At 55 years old, men have still have an average sexual life of about 15 years against ten and a half years for the women. Among the 75-85 years old, 41,2 % of the men say themselves interested in the sex against 11,4 % of the women. At this age, among those declaring a sexual life, 70,8 % of the men consider it satisfactory against hardly more than a woman on two (50,9 %). The survey confirms that these differences are partially explicable by the conjugal status (be married or have a partner or not). Almost three quarters of the men, in all the age groups, indicate having a partner. While this proportion falls at less than four on ten (38,5 %) to the women of 75 and more years old. The healthy persons have practically twice more chances to be interested in the sex compared with those in poor health. However, if the sexual active life expectation is bigger on the men's side, these last ones lose more years of active sex than the women, because of a poor health, according to the study. The sexual activity corresponded to at least a sexual intercourse within the six months for the first survey and one in the previous 12 months in the 2nd survey.