An increasing number of healthy 70-year-olds are having good sex and more often, and attitudes to sexuality have become more positive in this age group, according to survey results published Wednesday on BMJ.com, website of the British Medical Journal.

To gauge trends in sexual attitudes and behavior of the healthy elderly set, Nils Beckman and colleagues from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, analyzed information from 70-year-old Swedish men and women interviewed in 1971-1972, 1976-1977, 1992-1993, and 2000-2001.

They found that, over the years, the number of 70-year-olds reporting sexual intercourse rose significantly among all groups: married men from 52 percent to 68 percent, married women from 38 percent to 56 percent, unmarried men from 30 percent to 54 percent, and unmarried women from 0.8 percent to 12 percent.

Men and women in the later periods reported higher satisfaction with sex, fewer sexual problems and more positive attitudes to sexuality, than those in the earlier periods.

More men and women said they were in “very happy relationships” in 2000-2001 than in 1971-1972.

In contrast to women, the number of men admitting they were not all that satisfied with their sex lives increased. This, the investigators say, might be because it is now more acceptable for men to admit “failure” in sexual matters.

The survey also showed a drop off in the number of men reporting erectile dysfunction, which, the researchers speculate, could be due to the availability of Viagra and similar erectile dysfunction drugs.

All in all, this survey shows that “most elderly people consider sexual activity and associated feelings a natural part of later life,” Beckman and colleagues conclude.

In a commentary published with the study, Dr. Peggy J. Kleinplatz of the University of Ottawa in Ontario, points out that most of the literature on sexuality in elderly people focuses on sexual problems, leaving the impression that older adults have either dismal or non-existent sex lives.

The new study provides “good news - sex is an important and positive part” of the lives of older adults, she concludes.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, online July 9, 2008.