[Female sexuality in middle and advanced adulthood: review of previous research].

A comprehensive review of the results of descriptive studies on female sexuality in middle and old age (50 to 100 years) is presented. Central dimensions are "sexual activity", "interest", "enjoyment", and "orgasm". The review integrates studies from several European countries, as well as those conducted throughout the USA. Recent U.S. studies present results which appear to be quite different from the European ones. The former describe their subjects as being considerably more interested in sexuality and more sexually active. Several methodological questions are discussed (sampling, the way of collecting data, neglected variables, and others).