Scientists Reveal: Here's why sex is crucial for seniors–even in their 90s!
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It’s a fact of life–sex is, well, fun. It makes us feel closer to our partners, it’s a great workout, and according to a new study, it can also improve your cognitive functioning in later life.
Published last month in the Journal of Sex Research, the US study surveyed 1,683 respondents aged between 62 and 90 to explore the link between sex and cognitive functioning.
Authors Shannon Shen, a researcher from the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Hope College in Michigan, and Hui Liu, from the Centre on Ageing and the Life Course and Department of Sociology at Purdue University in Indiana, found that doing intimate activities in one’s waning years can have a positive impact on the brain.
'For [adults] aged 75-90, more frequent sex was related to better cognitive functioning,' read the report.
'For adults aged 62-74, better sexual quality (i.e., feelings of physical pleasure and emotional satisfaction) was related to better cognitive functioning,' Shen wrote.
Liu and Shen defined sex as ‘mutually voluntary activity with another person that involves sexual contact, whether or not intercourse or orgasm occurs’, while the frequency referred to ‘one or more sexual encounters per week’.
Interestingly, the study found that for people in the mentioned age group, the frequency of sex was not as important as its quality. Notably, feelings of physical pleasure were related to better cognitive functioning for men but not women.
The sexuality of the participants also did not have a quantifiable bearing on their cognitive functions; however, 1.6 per cent of respondents did identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual.
According to reports, the study is one of the first nationally representative, population-based examinations on the sexual lives of older adults in America, and how it relates to their cognitive function.
These results also support the theory that regular sex promotes better health in later life, particularly among male patients suffering from erectile dysfunction, as revealed in a February 2022 study.
A similar probe conducted by Coventry and Oxford universities in England determined that more sex in old age boosts the brain’s inner workings.
As Shen explained, their research adds a new layer of understanding to the science.
'Our results are really highlighting different stages of later life being important in the benefits one sees from their sexual relationship,' she said.
'Even adults that have low libido can still enjoy high sexual quality. The broad definition of sex in the study could mean that it’s not just intercourse that needs to occur for us to see these cognitive benefits.'
Back home, a study of over 2000 Australians revealed that 3 in 4 of those aged 60 and over had some form of sexual activity in recent months prior to data gathering, according to data from the Australian Journal of General Practice.
And even closer, some of our forum members have been quite vocal about their openness to sexual activity.
As member @maxesmum said in a similar article: ‘We oldies have still got it! Hubby likes to quote the ”quality not quantity” thing to our horrified kids who all feel that sex in our 60s and 70s is disgusting.’
They went on: ‘Sure, it’s not as often… we’re not rabbits… but it’s all about loving, touching, and intimacy. I think so, anyway.’
‘A loving touch is worth a million words.’
So, what do you think of this story, members? Let us know in the comments below!
Published last month in the Journal of Sex Research, the US study surveyed 1,683 respondents aged between 62 and 90 to explore the link between sex and cognitive functioning.
Authors Shannon Shen, a researcher from the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Hope College in Michigan, and Hui Liu, from the Centre on Ageing and the Life Course and Department of Sociology at Purdue University in Indiana, found that doing intimate activities in one’s waning years can have a positive impact on the brain.
Researchers discovered that sex can have a positive effect on the brains of older adults. Credit: bbernard/Shutterstock
'For [adults] aged 75-90, more frequent sex was related to better cognitive functioning,' read the report.
'For adults aged 62-74, better sexual quality (i.e., feelings of physical pleasure and emotional satisfaction) was related to better cognitive functioning,' Shen wrote.
Liu and Shen defined sex as ‘mutually voluntary activity with another person that involves sexual contact, whether or not intercourse or orgasm occurs’, while the frequency referred to ‘one or more sexual encounters per week’.
Interestingly, the study found that for people in the mentioned age group, the frequency of sex was not as important as its quality. Notably, feelings of physical pleasure were related to better cognitive functioning for men but not women.
The sexuality of the participants also did not have a quantifiable bearing on their cognitive functions; however, 1.6 per cent of respondents did identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual.
The study found that the quality of sex is much more important than frequency. Credit: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock
According to reports, the study is one of the first nationally representative, population-based examinations on the sexual lives of older adults in America, and how it relates to their cognitive function.
These results also support the theory that regular sex promotes better health in later life, particularly among male patients suffering from erectile dysfunction, as revealed in a February 2022 study.
A similar probe conducted by Coventry and Oxford universities in England determined that more sex in old age boosts the brain’s inner workings.
As Shen explained, their research adds a new layer of understanding to the science.
'Our results are really highlighting different stages of later life being important in the benefits one sees from their sexual relationship,' she said.
'Even adults that have low libido can still enjoy high sexual quality. The broad definition of sex in the study could mean that it’s not just intercourse that needs to occur for us to see these cognitive benefits.'
Back home, a study of over 2000 Australians revealed that 3 in 4 of those aged 60 and over had some form of sexual activity in recent months prior to data gathering, according to data from the Australian Journal of General Practice.
And even closer, some of our forum members have been quite vocal about their openness to sexual activity.
As member @maxesmum said in a similar article: ‘We oldies have still got it! Hubby likes to quote the ”quality not quantity” thing to our horrified kids who all feel that sex in our 60s and 70s is disgusting.’
They went on: ‘Sure, it’s not as often… we’re not rabbits… but it’s all about loving, touching, and intimacy. I think so, anyway.’
‘A loving touch is worth a million words.’
So, what do you think of this story, members? Let us know in the comments below!
