Gender differences in sexual activity among mid-aged adults in Massachusetts.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine if self-reported measures of sexual activity differ between aging men and women.

METHODS

Responses to 12 questions concerning various aspects of sexual activity were compared between 349 women and 589 men aged 51-61, who were participants in two larger community surveys in Massachusetts conducted in 1987 and 1988. Comparisons were made by least squares means adjusted for age, socio-demographic and health-related variables. Analyses were stratified by the presence or absence of one or more current sexual partners.

RESULTS

Regardless of partner status, overall satisfaction with sex life did not differ between men and women. For those with partners, the mean frequency of intercourse was somewhat higher for women than men, while mean frequency of sexual desire and fantasies was significantly higher for men. Similar results were seen for those without partners, although frequency was lower and did not differ by gender.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no gender difference in sexual satisfaction and little difference in frequency in mid-aged adults, but sexual desire and fantasies were more common for men.