The Impact of Aging on Human Sexual Activity and Sexual Desire

Abstract

This article empirically studies how much aging modifies human sexual activity and sexual desire, and what the most important determinants in this change are. The analyses are based on 2 representative national sex surveys conducted in Finland in the 1990s. As a result of female widowhood, aging men had a higher incidence of sexual intercourse compared with aging women; and in relationships, women were more likely than men to report lack of sexual desire. In regression analysis, age was a predictor of sexual activity but not of sexual desire, when controlling for the impact of other factors. Relationship duration did not play an important role in sexual activity or sexual desire when controlling for a number of other variables. Sexual desire, valuing sexuality, and a healthy partner were important to female sexual activity; and high sexual self-esteem, good health, and active sexual history were important to male sexual activity. To keep up their sexual desire, both men and women needed good health, good sexual functioning, positive sexual self-esteem, and a sexually skilful partner.

Notes

Note. Values are percentages unless otherwise noted.

^a A sum-scale of nine stress symptoms: insomnia, headache, tension or anxiety, overstrain, general feeling of fatigue or weakness, dizziness, nightmares, trembling hands, and burning cheeks or sweating without physical exertion. The values given to each symptom are 1 (frequently), 2 (sometimes), and 3 (hardly ever). The range of the sum-scale is 10 to 27, and the reliability (Cronbach's alpha) is .74.

^b The range of the sum-scale composed of the three variables is 3 to 15, and its reliability (Cronbach's alpha) is .82.

Note. Values are percentages unless otherwise noted.

Note. Values are percentages unless otherwise noted.

Note. Values are standardized regression coefficients in linear regression analysis.

^a N = 588. ^b N = 624, ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001.