World J Mens Health.  2012 Dec;30(3):166-171.

Sexual Behavior of the Elderly in Urban Areas

• Jeong HC
• Kim SU
• Lee WC
• Kim MT
• Lee WK
• Kim HY
• Kim SY
• Yang DY

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed at investigating sexual behavior patterns of elderly residents of urban areas in South Korea and their correlation with lower urinary tract symptoms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From May, 2009 to October, 2009, 154 males and 299 females over 60 years old who visited senior welfare centers of Seoul were administered a questionnaire on sex life patterns and voiding symptoms.
RESULTS
Among the 154 males, 59 (38.3%) had sexual intercourse at least one time per month. The remaining 95 males (61.7%) did not have sexual intercourse, because of impotence for 52 males (52.6%), no sexual desire for 28 males (29.4%), and sex partner's problems for 15 males (15.7%). The higher International Prostate Symptom Score was, the lower International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 was (p=0.035). Among 299 females, 37 (12.4%) had sexual intercourse at least one time per month. The remaining 262 females (87.6%) did not have sexual intercourse, because of no spouse for 163 females (63.2%), no sexual desire for 48 females (18.6%), the spouse's impotence for 34 females (13.2%), and the spouse's bad health for 10 females (3.9%). It was found that self-diagnosis of overactive bladder affects sex life negatively.
CONCLUSIONS
The sexual behaviors of the elderly included varying activity. Sexual intercourse were significantly associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Our results suggest that the counseling with the elderly about sexual health is as important as it is with non-elderly individuals.

Keyword

Aged; Sexual behavior; Lower urinary tract symptoms

MeSH Terms

Aged
Coitus
Counseling
Erectile Dysfunction
Female
Humans
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Male
Prostate
Surveys and Questionnaires
Reproductive Health
Republic of Korea
Sexual Behavior
Spouses
Urinary Bladder, Overactive
Urinary Tract

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Bar graph of rates of sexual activity by age group.

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  Fig. 2 Scatter plot of the correlation of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) in males (R2=-0.183, p=0.035).

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  Fig. 3 Discomfort with sexual behavior in females who have sexual intercourse (n=37).

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