Mature Sexuality: Whos Doing What

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Mature Sexuality Whos Doing What?

• Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
• www.arhp.org

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Expert Medical Advisory Committee

• Jean Fourcroy, MD, PhD, MPH
• Kirtly Parker Jones, MD (chair)
• Louis Kuritzky, MD
• Sharon Schnare, FNP, CNM, MSN
• Michael A. Thomas, MD

Required Slide
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Learning Objectives

• Understand why assessment of sexual function
  should be included in the health care of
  middle-aged and older adults
• Identify factors that may affect sexual function
  in older men and women

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Realities of Mature Sexuality

• People dont lose their libido or become
  instantaneously impotent as they age...

San Francisco Examiner November 17, 1999
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Sexuality Among Older Adults
Covey HC. Gerontologist. 1989.
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How Do We Know Who Does What?

• Kinsey Report

• Self-selected reporting in questionnaires
• Telephone surveys
• Online surveys

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Percent U.S. Men Women, Age 65
US Census. 2001.
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Marital StatusU.S. Men and Women Age 50
Age
US Census. 2001.
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Reasons for Stopping Sexual Relations
Avis, NE. J Gend Specif Med. 2000.
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Present Interest in Sex Men (1977)
Age
Brecher, EM. 1984.
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Present Interest in Sex Women (1977)
Age
Brecher, EM. 1984.
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NCOA Survey (1998) Sexually Active
Age
National Council on Aging. 1998.
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NCOA Survey (1998) with Partners Sexually
Active
Age
National Council on Aging. 1998.
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AARP Modern Maturity Sexuality Survey (1999)
AARP. 1999.
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AARP Survey (1999) Having Sexual Thoughts 1
per Week
Age
AARP. 1999.
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AARP Survey (1999) Having Intercourse 1 per
week
Age
AARP. 1999.
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ARHP Sexual Activity Survey (1999)

• May have less frequent sexual activity
• Not necessarily less satisfied

ARHP. 1999.
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ARHP Survey (1999) Sexual Activity vs.
Satisfaction in Men
69
Age
ARHP. 1999.
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ARHP Survey (1999) Sexual Activity vs.
Satisfaction in Women
60s
Age
ARHP. 1999.
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AARP Online Singles Survey (2003)
Sexual compatibility is important in a partner
AARP. 2003.US Census Bureau. 2002.
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AARP Survey (2003) Not Having Sex in Last 6
Months
AARP. 2003.
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AARP Survey (2003) with Simultaneous Sexual
Partners
AARP. 2003.
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AARP Survey The Divorce Experience
Men
Women
Sex with a new partner as a way to cope
Exercise and a retreat into work to cope
AARP. 2003.
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AARP Divorce Survey Having Sex 1 time per
week
AARP. 2003.
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Communication Concerns Patient Fears
Very or Somewhat Concerned
Marwick C. JAMA. 1999.
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Addressing Patient Concerns
STOP Ask open-ended questions dont press if no
interest is expressed LOOK Examine the
patient LISTEN A non-judgmental listener goes a
long way to open communication
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Mature Sexuality Summary

• Mature Americans are both interested in and
  engaging in sexual activity
• Many find sex satisfying emotionally and
  physically
• Many are single and have sex with different
  partners, and thus are at risk for STIs