Research shows love and affection truly stand the test of time, as most people’s sex lives improve from middle age.

A report by the International Longevity Centre UK suggests many couples remain sexually active into their 80s and 90s.

Interviews with more than 7,000 over-50s found we tend to be more sexually satisfied over the age of 80 than when in our 50s, 60s or 70s. Couples become closer, with stronger emotional bonds and growing sexual compatibility.

Although people tend to have sex less often as they get older, that sex is likely to get better as couples progress through retirement and into old age, the researchers found.

And they discovered that women, in particular, find it easier to become aroused in their 80s than in their 60s or 70s.


The scientists, from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, suspect this is partly because relationships strengthen with age, meaning even in old age couples can get to know each other better.

The researchers, whose report is called ‘How Long Will I Love You?’ also found people were happier if they had a more active love life, right into their 90s. Those who kissed, cuddled or touched intimately at least once a day had a higher ‘life satisfaction’ score than those who only did so two or three times a month, the academics found.

Researchers said the findings contradict society’s belief that the elderly do not have sex lives.

Daily Mail