Mature Sexuality: Who

1
Mature Sexuality Whos Doing What?

• Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
• www.arhp.org

2
Expert Medical Advisory Committee

• Jean Fourcroy, MD, PhD, MPH
• Kirtly Parker Jones, MD (chair)
• Louis Kuritzky, MD
• Sharon Schnare, FNP, CNM, MSN
• Michael A. Thomas, MD

Required Slide
3
Learning Objectives

• Understand why assessment of sexual function
  should be included in the health care of
  middle-aged and older adults
• Identify factors that may affect sexual function
  in older men and women

4
Realities of Mature Sexuality

• People dont lose their libido or become
  instantaneously impotent as they age...

San Francisco Examiner November 17, 1999
5
Sexuality Among Older Adults
Covey HC. Gerontologist. 1989.
6
How Do We Know Who Does What?

• Kinsey Report

• Self-selected reporting in questionnaires
• Telephone surveys
• Online surveys

7
Percent U.S. Men Women, Age 65
US Census. 2001.
8
Marital StatusU.S. Men and Women Age 50
Age
US Census. 2001.
9
Reasons for Stopping Sexual Relations
Avis, NE. J Gend Specif Med. 2000.
10
Present Interest in Sex Men (1977)
Age
Brecher, EM. 1984.
11
Present Interest in Sex Women (1977)
Age
Brecher, EM. 1984.
12
NCOA Survey (1998) Sexually Active
Age
National Council on Aging. 1998.
13
NCOA Survey (1998) with Partners Sexually
Active
Age
National Council on Aging. 1998.
14
AARP Modern Maturity Sexuality Survey (1999)
AARP. 1999.
15
AARP Survey (1999) Having Sexual Thoughts 1
per Week
Age
AARP. 1999.
16
AARP Survey (1999) Having Intercourse 1 per
week
Age
AARP. 1999.
17
ARHP Sexual Activity Survey (1999)

• May have less frequent sexual activity
• Not necessarily less satisfied

ARHP. 1999.
18
ARHP Survey (1999) Sexual Activity vs.
Satisfaction in Men
69
Age
ARHP. 1999.
19
ARHP Survey (1999) Sexual Activity vs.
Satisfaction in Women
60s
Age
ARHP. 1999.
20
AARP Online Singles Survey (2003)
Sexual compatibility is important in a partner
AARP. 2003.US Census Bureau. 2002.
21
AARP Survey (2003) Not Having Sex in Last 6
Months
AARP. 2003.
22
AARP Survey (2003) with Simultaneous Sexual
Partners
AARP. 2003.
23
AARP Survey The Divorce Experience
Men
Women
Sex with a new partner as a way to cope
Exercise and a retreat into work to cope
AARP. 2003.
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AARP Divorce Survey Having Sex 1 time per
week
AARP. 2003.
25
Communication Concerns Patient Fears
Very or Somewhat Concerned
Marwick C. JAMA. 1999.
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Addressing Patient Concerns
STOP Ask open-ended questions dont press if no
interest is expressed LOOK Examine the
patient LISTEN A non-judgmental listener goes a
long way to open communication
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Mature Sexuality Summary

• Mature Americans are both interested in and
  engaging in sexual activity
• Many find sex satisfying emotionally and
  physically
• Many are single and have sex with different
  partners, and thus are at risk for STIs