The DOI matches its Crossref record; 39 of the 40 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
A Study of Sexuality and Health among Older Adults in the United States
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the aging of the population, little is known about the sexual behaviors and sexual function of older people. METHODS: We report the prevalence of sexual activity, behaviors, and problems in a national probability sample of 3005 U.S. adults (1550 women and 1455 men) 57 to 85 years of age, and we describe the association of these variables with age and health status. RESULTS: The unweighted survey response rate for this probability sample was 74.8%, and the weighted response rate was 75.5%. The prevalence of sexual activity declined with age (73% among respondents who were 57 to 64 years of age, 53% among respondents who were 65 to 74 years of age, and 26% among respondents who were 75 to 85 years of age); women were significantly less likely than men at all ages to report sexual activity. Among respondents who were sexually active, about half of both men and women reported at least one bothersome sexual problem. The most prevalent sexual problems among women were low desire (43%), difficulty with vaginal lubrication (39%), and inability to climax (34%). Among men, the most prevalent sexual problems were erectile difficulties (37%). Fourteen percent of all men reported using medication or supplements to improve sexual function. Men and women who rated their health as being poor were less likely to be sexually active and, among respondents who were sexually active, were more likely to report sexual problems. A total of 38% of men and 22% of women reported having discussed sex with a physician since the age of 50 years. CONCLUSIONS: Many older adults are sexually active. Women are less likely than men to have a spousal or other intimate relationship and to be sexually active. Sexual problems are frequent among older adults, but these problems are infrequently discussed with physicians.
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In the citing paper
“In the past few years, however, a number of well-publicized studies have investigated the sexual activity of those as old as 94.”
From Medicalization and the Refashioning of Age-Related Limits on Sexuality (2012) · cites this paper as Lindau et al., 2007
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn the citing paper
“Thus, interpretation of the results of this study is dif fi cult, because diabetes a risk factor for sexual dysfunction.”
From Incidence and Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement from the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015 (2016) · cites this paper as [31]
In the citing paper
“The only study by Lindau et al 31 presenting a relatively higher prevalence of arousal dif fi culties (ie, lubrication) of 41.9% was conducted in patients with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes.”
From Incidence and Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement from the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015 (2016) · cites this paper as [31]
In the citing paper
“Nevertheless, in Australia, 19 Sweden, 17 the United States, 16,22,31 and Canada 32 the prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction seems to be approximately 16% to 25%”
From Incidence and Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement from the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015 (2016) · cites this paper as [31]
In the citing paper
“Orgasmic dysfunction also was higher for older women in the Iranian and U.S. samples.”
From Incidence and Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement from the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015 (2016) · cites this paper as [31]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Lindau, S. T., Schumm, L. P., Laumann, E. O., Levinson, W., O'Muircheartaigh, C. A., & Waite, L. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Chicago (US)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Venue
- New England Journal of Medicine
- Publisher
- Massachusetts Medical Society
- Published
- 2007-08-23
- Volume
- 357
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 762-774
- ISSN
- 0028-4793 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-4406
- PMC
- PMC2426743
- OpenAlex
- W2107749577
- Cited by
- 2,211
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 59 · 2025: 74 · 2024: 70 · 2023: 92 · 2022: 100 · 2021: 109 · 2020: 196 · 2019: 121 · 2018: 118 · 2017: 127 · 2016: 158 · 2015: 151 · 2014: 147 · 2013: 139 · 2012: 108
- FWCI
- 66.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- New England Journal of Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Pfizer
- Johns Hopkins University
- National Institutes of Health
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of North Carolina
- National Institute on Aging (AG021487, R01AG021487)
- Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (AG021487, 5R01AG021487)
- Office of AIDS Research
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Marriage and Sexual Relationships
- Keywords
- sexuality in old age, sexual activity, sexual dysfunction, sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, vaginal lubrication, health status, age differences, gender differences, sexual health
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Coitus, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological, United States, Logistic Models, Sexuality
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