Age not a factor in intercourse frequency

Older men do not engage less frequently in sexual intercourse, reports a new study. Instead, erectile function, orgasmic function, and duration of partnership seem to be more important factors.

The study included 686 men (median age, 62 years), who had been in a relationship for a median of 27 years. The participants presented to the men’s health clinic for erectile dysfunction (ED; 84 percent); nearly all participants (93 percent) noted that they had some degree of ED. The median erectile function score was 7.

Participants reported an average intercourse frequency of 3.8 per month, which showed an inverse association with age. Those with more severe ED had intercourse less.

Unadjusted analysis identified the following potential predictors of more frequent intercourse: younger age, higher satisfaction scores, higher libido, and shorter relationship duration (p<0.01 for all). Conversely, prostate radiation, a history of prostatectomy, and partner sexual dysfunction all negatively impacted intercourse frequency.

After multivariable adjustments, however, age no longer played a significant role in intercourse frequency.

Instead, a longer relationship duration correlated with less frequent intercourse (estimate, –0.03 per year, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –0.06 to 0.00; p=0.03). Better erectile function (estimate, 0.13, 95 percent CI, 0.11–0.16; p<0.0001) and higher intercourse satisfaction (estimate, 0.17, 95 percent CI, 0.11–0.22; p<0.0001) were both associated with more frequent intercourse.

“Although intercourse frequency declines with age, this is most likely related to other sexual dysfunctions and is not independently associated with age,” the researchers said. “Findings from the current study further support the concept that sexual health is complex and cannot be summarized by any one, single measure of sexual function.”