Almost half of women are dissatisfied with their sex lives - but over 55s are least likely to complain, PHE survey finds
More than four in ten women are unhappy with their sex lives, research reveals.
The report by Public Health England (PHE) shows that those aged 25 to 34 were the least satisfied in bed - with 49 per cent complaining they lacked sexual enjoyment.
Those aged 55 to 64 were least likely to express disatisfaction - but it was unclear whether this was because they enjoyed good sex, or because they had less of it, or minded about it less.
In total, 29 per cent of women in this age group said they lacked sexual enjoyment. Across all ages, 42 per cent were disatisfied. Health officials said having a good sex life was important for mental health.
Dr Sue Mann, PHE public health consultant in reproductive health, at Public Health England said: “Enjoying a fulfilling sex life is important for women’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Our data show that sexual enjoyment is a key part of good reproductive health and that while many women are reporting sexual dysfunction, many are not seeking help.”
The report, based on a poll of 7,367 women aged 16 to 64 also found that across all ages almost a third of women had suffered severe reproductive problems - such as painful periods or menopausal symptoms - in the last year.
Dr Jane Dickson, Vice President of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, said: “The importance of having a healthy, enjoyable sexual life cannot be overstated as this strongly contributes to general wellbeing. However, there is still much stigma and embarrassment when it comes to sexual function – especially when we are talking about women’s sexual pleasure. Society still relegates women’s sexual pleasure to the background.”
She said women with poor sex lives should be able to get professional help.
“If women lack sexual enjoyment they should know that they can talk to a specialist and get support from psychosexual services in sexual and reproductive healthcare clinics. Here, we are trained to provide non-judgemental care, encouraging women to open-up and discuss these issues.”
Previous studies show that 12 per cent of women have taken a day off work due to menopause symptoms and 59 per cent have lied to their boss about the reasons for their absence.
The research found women wanted such problems to be discussed more openly, including in the workplace.
Dr Mann said: “Our research shows that there is still stigma associated with talking about reproductive health issues, which is a barrier to women seeking help. This is particularly true in the workplace where many women do not feel comfortable speaking to their managers about the real reasons for needing to take time off work. We want to empower women to educate themselves about good reproductive health and to feel confident speaking about it.”
At a glance | What affects your sex drive?According to the NHS
5 health benefits of having more sex in midlifeNews that regular action in your fifties and beyond improves brain function will have had teenagers rolling their eyes in embarrassment, the country over. “People don’t like to think that older people have sex,” admits study author Dr Hayley Wright from Coventry University. “But we need to challenge this conception at a societal level."
“There are countless reasons to continue having sex in your fifties and older, from improved emotional health to the many physical benefits,” agrees Barbara Bloomfield, a Relate therapist and author of Couples Therapy: Dramas of Love and Sex.
So with that in mind, here’s why plenty of what you fancy is up there with sleep and exercise in benefiting mind, body and soul…
1. You’ll become smarter
As well as the Coventry and Oxford study, a 2016 study from Canada suggested that women who have regular sex have better memories. A team at McGill University found a link between regular sex and the growth of nervous tissue in the area of the brain that controls our emotions and memory.
2. You’ll look younger
Put down that £100 pot of eye cream: scientists at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital have found older couples having regular sex look five to seven years younger than those who rarely have sex. Dr David Weeks, who led the 10-year study, found that if the sex was “loving” and pleasure was derived from it, hormones were released that made the skin more elastic and youthful. Weeks found that casual sex didn’t have the same effects, as it could cause anxiety and feelings of insecurity.
3. You’ll get fewer colds
Having sex at least once a week has been found to raise your body’s levels of immunoglobulin A (known as IgA), which is a cold and flu-fighting antibody. “IgA is the first line of defence against colds and flu,” says Carl Chenetski from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, whose study found that couples who have sex once or twice a week have 30 per cent higher levels of IgA.
4. You’ll feel happier
A study of 8,000 people over the age of 50 from Trinity College Dublin found that couples who maintain a healthy sex life in later life were less likely to feel depressed and were more positive about ageing.
5. Your heart health will improve
Forget the rumours about sixtysomethings having heart attacks, mid-coitus. Research seems to suggest the opposite is true and that regular sex can reduce your risk of a heart attack. Researchers at Queen’s University in Belfast found a weekly roll in the sheets can halve the risk of a heart attack or stroke and another study found women who orgasm at least twice a week were 30 per cent less likely to develop heart disease.
Source: Telegraph
More than four in ten women are unhappy with their sex lives, research reveals.
The report by Public Health England (PHE) shows that those aged 25 to 34 were the least satisfied in bed - with 49 per cent complaining they lacked sexual enjoyment.
Those aged 55 to 64 were least likely to express disatisfaction - but it was unclear whether this was because they enjoyed good sex, or because they had less of it, or minded about it less.
In total, 29 per cent of women in this age group said they lacked sexual enjoyment. Across all ages, 42 per cent were disatisfied. Health officials said having a good sex life was important for mental health.
Dr Sue Mann, PHE public health consultant in reproductive health, at Public Health England said: “Enjoying a fulfilling sex life is important for women’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Our data show that sexual enjoyment is a key part of good reproductive health and that while many women are reporting sexual dysfunction, many are not seeking help.”
The report, based on a poll of 7,367 women aged 16 to 64 also found that across all ages almost a third of women had suffered severe reproductive problems - such as painful periods or menopausal symptoms - in the last year.
Dr Jane Dickson, Vice President of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, said: “The importance of having a healthy, enjoyable sexual life cannot be overstated as this strongly contributes to general wellbeing. However, there is still much stigma and embarrassment when it comes to sexual function – especially when we are talking about women’s sexual pleasure. Society still relegates women’s sexual pleasure to the background.”
She said women with poor sex lives should be able to get professional help.
“If women lack sexual enjoyment they should know that they can talk to a specialist and get support from psychosexual services in sexual and reproductive healthcare clinics. Here, we are trained to provide non-judgemental care, encouraging women to open-up and discuss these issues.”
Previous studies show that 12 per cent of women have taken a day off work due to menopause symptoms and 59 per cent have lied to their boss about the reasons for their absence.
The research found women wanted such problems to be discussed more openly, including in the workplace.
Dr Mann said: “Our research shows that there is still stigma associated with talking about reproductive health issues, which is a barrier to women seeking help. This is particularly true in the workplace where many women do not feel comfortable speaking to their managers about the real reasons for needing to take time off work. We want to empower women to educate themselves about good reproductive health and to feel confident speaking about it.”
At a glance | What affects your sex drive?According to the NHS
- Relationship problems
- Sexual problems
- Stress, anxiety and exhaustion
- Depression
- Getting older and the menopause
- Pregnancy, giving birth and breastfeeding
- Underlying health problems
- Medication and contraception
- Alcohol and drugs
5 health benefits of having more sex in midlifeNews that regular action in your fifties and beyond improves brain function will have had teenagers rolling their eyes in embarrassment, the country over. “People don’t like to think that older people have sex,” admits study author Dr Hayley Wright from Coventry University. “But we need to challenge this conception at a societal level."
“There are countless reasons to continue having sex in your fifties and older, from improved emotional health to the many physical benefits,” agrees Barbara Bloomfield, a Relate therapist and author of Couples Therapy: Dramas of Love and Sex.
So with that in mind, here’s why plenty of what you fancy is up there with sleep and exercise in benefiting mind, body and soul…
1. You’ll become smarter
As well as the Coventry and Oxford study, a 2016 study from Canada suggested that women who have regular sex have better memories. A team at McGill University found a link between regular sex and the growth of nervous tissue in the area of the brain that controls our emotions and memory.
2. You’ll look younger
Put down that £100 pot of eye cream: scientists at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital have found older couples having regular sex look five to seven years younger than those who rarely have sex. Dr David Weeks, who led the 10-year study, found that if the sex was “loving” and pleasure was derived from it, hormones were released that made the skin more elastic and youthful. Weeks found that casual sex didn’t have the same effects, as it could cause anxiety and feelings of insecurity.
3. You’ll get fewer colds
Having sex at least once a week has been found to raise your body’s levels of immunoglobulin A (known as IgA), which is a cold and flu-fighting antibody. “IgA is the first line of defence against colds and flu,” says Carl Chenetski from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, whose study found that couples who have sex once or twice a week have 30 per cent higher levels of IgA.
4. You’ll feel happier
A study of 8,000 people over the age of 50 from Trinity College Dublin found that couples who maintain a healthy sex life in later life were less likely to feel depressed and were more positive about ageing.
5. Your heart health will improve
Forget the rumours about sixtysomethings having heart attacks, mid-coitus. Research seems to suggest the opposite is true and that regular sex can reduce your risk of a heart attack. Researchers at Queen’s University in Belfast found a weekly roll in the sheets can halve the risk of a heart attack or stroke and another study found women who orgasm at least twice a week were 30 per cent less likely to develop heart disease.
Source: Telegraph