INTRODUCTION: The sexuality of older women has attracted little scientific interest. In a literature search only 29 fairly representative cross-sectional studies were found. There was a single population study of elderly Danish women. The aim of our study was to describe the sexual life of a group of 60-year-old women from the Copenhagen area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A random sample of 122 women was taken from a cohort found to be fairly representative of 60-year-old women in the County of Copenhagen. The women were asked about their attitudes and sexual experiences in a semi-structured interview. Socio-demographic data were collected. RESULTS: Half the women felt sexual desire once a month or more and had intercourse once a month or more. Two thirds had had no more than three sexual partners, and 85 per cent had a regular partner at the time of the study. The most common dysfunction was vaginal dryness, which one third had. 25 per cent said they seldom or never achieved orgasm. Most of the women had experienced different sexual practices and were tolerant toward prostitution and pornography, but took exception to a number of perversions. DISCUSSION: These elderly women have developed and maintained their sexual life in step with the changes in the sexual norms occurring during their adult life, despite prejudices against elderly people's sexuality.
INTRODUCTION: The sexuality of older women has attracted little scientific interest. In a literature search only 29 fairly representative cross-sectional studies were found. There was a single population study of elderly Danish women. The aim of our study was to describe the sexual life of a group of 60-year-old women from the Copenhagen area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A random sample of 122 women was taken from a cohort found to be fairly representative of 60-year-old women in the County of Copenhagen. The women were asked about their attitudes and sexual experiences in a semi-structured interview. Socio-demographic data were collected. RESULTS: Half the women felt sexual desire once a month or more and had intercourse once a month or more. Two thirds had had no more than three sexual partners, and 85 per cent had a regular partner at the time of the study. The most common dysfunction was vaginal dryness, which one third had. 25 per cent said they seldom or never achieved orgasm. Most of the women had experienced different sexual practices and were tolerant toward prostitution and pornography, but took exception to a number of perversions. DISCUSSION: These elderly women have developed and maintained their sexual life in step with the changes in the sexual norms occurring during their adult life, despite prejudices against elderly people's sexuality.