Sexual behavior in healthy married elderly men.

Sexual behavior was evaluated in 81 men aged 60-71 years (34 men aged 60-65 years and 47 men aged 66-71 years). All subjects were married, physically healthy, and with no psychopathology or marital problems. Sexual function was evaluated by a self-report three-point rating scale. Thirty-six percent of the whole study population reported impotence, with no significant difference between the two age groups. About half of the total population reported regular masturbatory activity. A decline in frequency of sexual intercourse and an increase in frequency of masturbation in subjects aged 66-71 years as compared to subjects aged 60-65 indicates that the interest in sexuality continues in elderly men although the form of sexual expression changes from active sexual intercourse to a self-pleasuring/autoerotic form. Evaluation of sexual activity in advanced age is recommended and appropriate therapy in case of sexual dysfunction should be offered to elderly men.