Referrals aged 60 + to an inner-city psychosexual dysfunction clinic

Abstract

As life expectancy increases and social attitudes towards sexuality in the elderly change, a rise in the level of healthy sexual activity and a concomitant increase in age-related sexual problems may be expected. Little research has been carried out on the assessment and treatment of sexual problems in the elderly, who may represent a specific population with particular needs. Referrals aged 60 + to a psychosexual dysfunction clinic were compared with younger patients, and significant differences were found in demographic, diagnostic and treatment variables. Important implications for the development of specialized treatment programmes for the elderly are discussed.