Sex After 60: How Common It Is and the Problems Women Report, From a National Survey
Intimate HealthArticleA national survey of over 3,000 U.S. adults aged 57 to 85 found that many stay sexually active, and about half of those who are have at least one bothersome problem. Low desire, dryness and trouble reaching orgasm topped the list for women, yet few had talked to a doctor about it. Here is what the numbers show and what can help.
In this article
Whether you’re having sex often, rarely or not at all, it’s your call. Intimacy can mean closeness with or without anything physical.1 But if you want a sex life and something is getting in the way, you’re far from alone.
What the national survey found
Researchers asked a national sample of 3,005 U.S. adults aged 57 to 85, including 1,550 women, about their sex lives.2
| Age | Sexually active in the past year |
|---|---|
| 57 to 64 | 73% |
| 65 to 74 | 53% |
| 75 to 85 | 26% |
At every age, women were less likely than men to be sexually active, partly because they were less likely to have a spouse or partner.2 People in poor health were less likely to be active.2
The most common problems for women
About half of sexually active people had at least one bothersome problem.2 For women, the top three were:
Yet only 22% of women had talked about sex with a doctor since turning 50.2
Common causes and what helps
| What’s going on | What may help |
|---|---|
| Thinner, drier vaginal tissue; slower natural lubrication1 | Lubricants, moisturizers or vaginal estrogen; see moisturizer vs. lubricant |
| Medicines, including some blood pressure pills, antihistamines and antidepressants1 | Asking whether a different drug is an option1; see antidepressant sexual side effects |
| Arthritis or other pain1 | Changing positions or timing1 |
| Leaking urine1 | Emptying your bladder before and after1; see leaking during sex |
| Low interest that comes with low mood1 | Getting checked for depression1 |
| Alcohol, which can delay orgasm1 | Cutting back |
Some couples find sex more satisfying than when they were younger, with more time, more privacy and better communication.1 If sex hurts, see painful sex. If low desire bothers you, our guide to flibanserin label checks covers one prescription option.
Try: “Sex has become uncomfortable and I’ve lost interest, and it bothers me. Could my medicines or menopause changes be part of it, and what can we try?”
Down There, Decoded includes a Down-There Log and a See script for appointments. Use them to bring up sexual concerns at your next visit, even if your clinician doesn’t ask. Explore the intimate-health playbook.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking with your prescriber. Bleeding after menopause, new pelvic pain, or chest pain or shortness of breath during sex needs prompt medical care. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. This article discusses survey research and public health guidance. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- National Institute on AgingSexuality and Intimacy in Older Adults (opens in a new tab)abcdefghijkl
- New England Journal of Medicine (full text via PubMed Central), 2007A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States (opens in a new tab)abcdefghi
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