How important is sex in later life? The views of older people
Abstract
Stereotypes of an asexual old age remain pervasive, shaping not only popular images of older people, but also research and policy agendas. However, older people's own attitudes towards the role and value of sex in later life remain relatively unexplored. This paper draws on both quantitative and qualitative data to examine how sex is prioritised in middle age and later life. Data collection methods involved completion of two quality of life measures (WHOQOL-100 and WHOQOL Importance Scale), followed by semi-structured interviews. In total the sample comprised 69 individuals recruited from the age/sex register of a general practice in Sheffield in the UK. This paper will focus upon the accounts of 21 men and 23 women aged 50-92 years. Ratings of the importance of sex to participants were gathered from the WHOQOL Importance Scale; the in-depth interviews enabled the basis for this prioritisation to be explored. Analysis identified the following key themes. Participants who did not consider sex to be of any importance to them neither had a current sexual partner, nor felt that they would have another sexual partner in their lifetime. Indeed, all participants who had a current sexual partner attributed at least some importance to sex, with many rating sex as 'very' or 'extremely' important. However, experiencing barriers to being sexually active led them to place less importance on sex; this was particularly apparent when health problems and widowhood were experienced. Age was seen as facilitating coping when sex became less frequent, or stopped altogether. This was explained in terms of sexual desire decreasing with age (for some male participants), the cessation of sex being easier to cope with in a relationship of long duration and the expectation that sex will become less possible with 'normal ageing'. The discussion considers the implications of these findings for this developing field.
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Older men are more likely to accept their ED as a normal part of aging, which might be a barrier to seeking help.
“Older men, on the other hand, are more likely to accept their ED as a normal part of aging, which might be a barrier to seeking help.”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [118]
Men typically report less distress about changes in their sexual life as they grow older, but stigma around sexuality in later life may confuse them about the impact of the sexual problem on their well-being.
“Although men typically report less distress about changes in their sexual life as they grow older, stigma around sexuality in later life may confuse them about the impact of the sexual problem on their well-being.83,117,118”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [118]
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“Although men typically report less distress about changes in their sexual life as they grow older, stigma around sexuality in later life may confuse them about the impact of the sexual problem on their well-being.(83,117,118) Proactive counselling by health care providers is important to help older men with admitting…”
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- Authors
- Gott, M., & Hinchliff, S.
- Affiliations
- Northern General Hospital (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Gott, Merryn
- Venue
- Social Science & Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2003-04
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1617-1628
- ISSN
- 0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2036016765
- Cited by
- 556
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 27
- FWCI
- 14.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
- Keywords
- sexuality in later life, older adults, sexual desire, sexual partners, widowhood, health problems, aging, quality of life, men and women
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Attitude, Female, United Kingdom, Health Status, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Libido, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sexual Partners, Marital Status, Widowhood, Sexuality
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