CARNAL NATION

The main reason older women are not having sex may be lack of opportunity. A new study of sexual function and aging carried out by UCSF doctor Alison Huang in conjunction with doctors from Kaiser and San Francisco VA Medical Center.  Published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the study reports that lack of a partner capable or interested in sex may contribute more to sexual inactivity than personal health problems or declining desire.

The survey of 1,977 participants reported that 43% had at least moderate sexual desire and 60% had been sexually active in the past three months.   Among the inactive women, lack of desire was reported by 39%, lack of a partner by 36%, a partner's physical problems by 23%, and a disinterested partner by 11%.

African-American women were more likely to report at least a moderate desire and less likely to report weekly sexual activity than white women. Sexually active Latina women were more likely than white women to report at least moderate sexual satisfaction.

The survey concludes that a substantial proportion of women remain interested and engaged in sexual activity into older age.

The results of this study will come as no surprise to those who have read Out of My Frigid Fifties by Lady Anne.

[Journal Ref: Sexual Function and Aging in Racially and Ethnically Diverse Women, Alison Huang et al,  JAGS Volume 57 Issue 8 P1362-1368  DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02353.x]