Sexual aging: A systematic review of qualitative research on the sexuality and sexual health of older adults
Abstract
Negative stereotypes regarding the sex lives of older adults persist, despite sexuality being an important factor that influences the quality of life. We conducted a systematic review of the qualitative literature on the sexuality and sexual health of older adults to address which topics have been researched and the quality of research within this field. We searched PsycINFO, SocINDEX, MEDLINE, and CINAHL for qualitative articles investigating the sexuality of adults aged 60+ years. We analyzed 69 articles using thematic analysis to synthesize their findings. We identified two overarching thematic categories: psychological and relational aspects of sexuality (personal meanings and understandings of sex, couplehood aspects, and sociocultural aspects) and health and sexuality (effects of illness and/or treatment on sexuality, and help-seeking behaviors). Research is needed into male sexual desire and pleasure, culture-specific and sexual/gender identities and their effect on outcomes such as help-seeking behavior and sexual satisfaction, and sexual risk-taking in older adults.
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Several men experience their health care providers as not approachable enough to talk about sexual issues.
“Several men experience their health care providers as not approachable enough to talk about sexual issues.83”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [83]
Lack of motivation may interfere with treatment adherence or may cause men to decide not to pursue any treatment at all.
“Age should be taken into account when proposing a treatment because lack of motivation may interfere with treatment adherence or may cause men to decide not to pursue any treatment at all.83,95”
From A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) (2021) · cites this paper as [83]
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 [83]
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 [83]
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- Authors
- Sinković, M., & Towler, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Zagreb (HR)
- University of Southampton (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Sinković, Matija
- ORCID
- Towler, Lauren
- Venue
- Qualitative Health Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2018-12-25
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1239-1254
- ISSN
- 1049-7323 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7557
- OpenAlex
- W2906434656
- Cited by
- 187
- References
- 85
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 3
- FWCI
- 1.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Qualitative Health Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Norges Forskningsråd (250637)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
- Keywords
- older adults, sexuality, sexual health, couplehood, help-seeking, male sexual desire, sexual pleasure, gender identity, sexual risk behavior, sexual satisfaction, age stereotypes
- MeSH terms
- Sexual Health, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cultural Characteristics, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Middle Aged, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Quality of Life, Sexual Behavior, Socioeconomic Factors, Sexuality, Qualitative Research
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