Sexual Activity and Sexual Satisfaction Among Older Adults in Four European Countries

Abstract

The aim of this article was to describe partnered and non-partnered sexual activity and sexual satisfaction in older men and women from Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal, and to explore sociodemographic correlates of sexual activity and satisfaction. Data were collected in 2016 using postal, anonymous questionnaires in probability samples of the population aged 60-75 years recruited by phone registers in Norway (676 men, 594 women), Denmark (530 men, 515 women), Belgium (318 men, 672 women), and Portugal (236 men, 273 women). In men, the percentage of sexually active participants in the past year ranged from 83% in Portugal to 91% in Norway. In women, the percentage of sexually active participants during the last year ranged from 61% in Belgium to 78% in Denmark. Regarding frequency of sexual intercourse activity during the past month, men in Norway, Denmark, and Belgium (23-24%) most often reported 2-3 times per month, whereas most men in Portugal (29%) reported 1-3 times per week. Masturbation was most commonly reported among Norwegian men (65%) and women (40%), and least commonly in Portugal. Concerning sexual satisfaction, across all countries, 40-60% of participants reported that they were sexually satisfied. Portuguese men and Danish women reported being most sexually satisfied. Having a partner was the most important positive predictor of sexual activity and sexual satisfaction in all subgroups except Portuguese men. In conclusion, partnered sexual activity was more frequent in the south of Europe, and solitary sexual activity more frequent in Northern Europe.

Nurses' attitudes towards support for and communication about sexual health—A qualitative study from the perspectives of oncological nurses

“…Further, studies show how older (and middle‐aged) people's sexual health is not recognised and regarded outside the scope of nurses' practice, which is also called ageism in sexual health (Haesler et al, ; Heywood et al, ; Klaeson et al, ). In fact, a recent study in four European countries shows that older people are very sexually active (Træen et al, ). The clinical gaze becomes a disciplinary technique (Foucault, ) that tacitly defines by whom, in what way and how sexual health can be articulated in an oncological clinic.…”

“…Further, studies show how older (and middle-aged) people's sexual health is not recognised and regarded outside the scope of nurses' practice, which is also called ageism in sexual health (Haesler et al, 2016;Heywood et al, 2017;Klaeson et al, 2016). In fact, a recent study in four European countries shows that older people are very sexually active (Traeen et al, 2018).…”

Too late for love? Sexuality and intimacy in heterosexual couples living with an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis

“…Still, little work has explored how sexual scripts influence older people's experiences of sexuality (Muruthi et al, 2018). Pervasive ageist sexual scripts where sexuality is deemed inappropriate, dysfunctional or non-existent in later life influence how older people perceive themselves sexually and deter them from engaging in sexual activity (Traeen et al, 2019). However, ageist sexual scripts are also increasingly challenged by the "sexy oldie" who continues to be sexually active as part of successful ageing and emerges as a new available sexual script for older people (Gott, 2005;Sandberg, 2015;Stulhofer et al, 2018).…”

Sexuelle Zufriedenheit und sexuelle Funktionen bei Personen mit Neurofibromatose Typ 1

“…Eine weitere Schwäche der Studie besteht darin, dass sie rein deskriptiv gehalten ist und keinerlei systematischen Vergleich vornehmen kann, weder mit sexuel- Als Schlussfolgerung der Pilotstudie lässt sich mit großer Vorsicht angesichts der genannten Limitationen festhalten, dass NF1-PatientInnen teilweise eine überraschend wenig eingeschränkte sexuelle Zufriedenheit zeigen, auch wenn die Krankheit mit sichtbaren Merkmalen im Genitalbereich oder in anderen Körperregionen einhergeht. Hier ist zu beachten, dass die vorliegende Stichprobe überwiegend (73 %) in fester Partnerschaft lebt, was im Unterschied zum Single-Status meist generell mit höherer sexueller Zufriedenheit verbunden ist (Traeen et al 2019). Eine vorliegende Partnerschaft könnte somit einen stabilisierenden Faktor im Leben der Betroffenen darstellen, wobei dies nicht nur in Bezug auf die Sexualität, sondern auf den generellen Umgang mit der Erkrankung zu beschreiben wäre.…”