Sexual dysfunction among older adults: prevalence and risk factors from a nationally representative U.S. probability sample of men and women 57-85 years of age.
BACKGROUND
Despite increasing demand for clinical interventions into sexual problems in an aging population, epidemiological data on the subject are scarce.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the prevalence of sexual problems across different sociodemographic groups, and risk factors for these problems in multiple domains of life.


METHODS
Statistical analysis of data from the 2005-2006 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), a nationally representative U.S. probability sample of 1,550 women and 1,455 men aged 57-85 at the time of interview.


METHODS
Likelihood of experiencing sexual dysfunction in the preceding 12 months.


RESULTS
Sexual problems among the elderly are not an inevitable consequence of aging, but instead are responses to the presence of stressors in multiple life domains. This impact may partly be gender differentiated, with older women's sexual health more sensitive to their physical health than is true for men. The mechanism linking life stress with sexual problems is likely to be poor mental health and relationship dissatisfaction. The NSHAP results demonstrate the consistent impact of poor mental health on women's reports of sexual problems and the less consistent association with men's problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The results point to a need for physicians who are treating older adults experiencing sexual problems to take into account not simply their physical health, but also their psychosocial health and satisfaction with their intimate relationship.
Laumann
Edward O
EO
Department of Sociology and Population Research Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. e-laumann@uchicago.edu
Waite
Linda J
LJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology