How does sexual activity affect the life and mood of older people?
Much has been written about the benefits of sex for physical and mental health. Research and articles mainly affect young and middle-aged people. However, the relationship between sexual activity and mood, health problems and well-being in older people is rarely observed.
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A study published December 13, 2018, in the Journal Sexual Medicine found that sexually active older adults reported higher levels of well-being, happiness, and enjoyment of life compared to those who had long forgotten about sex.
Experimental conditions
One of the first cohort studies in this area, it began in 2002 and was carried out over two years in the UK. It involved 3, 045 men and 3, 834 women aged 50 to 89 years. 95% of participants were white Europeans. 74% of men and 60% of women were married or living with a partner. The two-year assessment included computer-assisted personal interviews and questionnaires. Independent variables included age, partner, socioeconomic status, alcohol consumption, smoking, limitations due to long-term illness, and depressive symptoms. The range of sexuality measures includes frequency of sexual activity (intercourse, masturbation, kissing, caressing, hugging), problems with sexual functioning and activity, and sexual satisfaction. Enjoyment of life was assessed using the Satisfaction (Control, Autonomy, Fulfillment, and Pleasure) subscale, a validated measure of quality of life specific to older adults.
The influence of sex on the lives of older people
The results of this study showed that sexual activity is associated with a more enjoyable life for this group of people. Men and women who reported having had some form of sex in the previous year were happier than those who did not. Feeling emotionally close to a partner during sex was associated with a more positive outlook in both men and women. Among sexually active participants, frequent kissing and caressing with a partner was associated with greater enjoyment of life. Concerns about sexual abstinence and problems with sexual functioning were also associated with lower levels of life satisfaction in men and, to a lesser extent, in women.
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Frequent sexual intercourse (more than twice a month) at this age has also been found to have the following benefits for psychological and physiological well-being: increased sexual pleasure, which is associated with greater enjoyment of life, and decreased sexual desire, which is associated with greater enjoyment of life, and decreased sexual desire, which is associated with greater enjoyment of life. Unexpected by scientists was the connection between a “positive sex life” (defined based on the frequency of a man’s sexual intercourse and the pleasure of a woman’s intercourse) and a lower annual mortality rate among the experiment participants.
Effect on emotional state
The most interesting finding was that for men, frequent intercourse was more satisfying than kissing, caressing and hugging. In contrast, for women, frequent kissing, affection from a partner, hugging and caressing were associated with greater enjoyment of life than sexual intercourse. Dr Lee Smith, co-author of the paper, said of the study: “Sexual intercourse may therefore be more important for men than for women in terms of happiness, and women”s pleasure appears to be more dependent on other types of sexual activity.”
Sexual relationships in old age
Frequent masturbation did not affect life satisfaction scores in men or women. At the same time, two or more episodes per month were considered “frequent” sexual activity.
Prospects for treating age-related sexual problems
The study found that problems such as difficulty having and maintaining an erection, achieving orgasm, lack of intimate desire, and fear of frequency of sex were associated with satisfaction and happiness in life. Perrin Batur, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio who was not involved in the study, said the results of the experiment will help improve the way drugs are developed and measured for women”s sexual health. Such studies, she said, “emphasize that sexual desire, satisfaction, pain and other areas of sexuality important to women should be considered when assessing the utility of a potential new drug product.” The subjective benefits of a woman”s quality of life are perhaps more important than the frequency of sexual activity after taking the drug.”
Study co-author Sarah Jackson, a senior research fellow at University College London, commented on the results of the experiment. Situation. Psychological well-being is closely linked to physical health, and as the population continues to age, natural sexual activity in older adults needs to be encouraged and supported. medical services.”
What happens to the body of a person who does not have sex?
