Most U.S. women in 80s satisfied with sex

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SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Most U.S. women self-report quality of life, successful aging and sexual satisfaction well into their 80s, researchers found.

Wesley K. Thompson -- assistant professor at the Stein Institute for Research on Aging at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and co-lead author Lindsey Charo -- looked at 1,235 women enrolled at the San Diego site of the Women's Health Initiative study, an ongoing research program that tracks 160,000 generally healthy, post-menopausal women.

Sexual activity -- including desire, arousal and ability to climax -- were negatively associated with age, as were physical and mental health.

However, in contrast to sexual activity and functioning, satisfaction with overall sex life was not significantly different among the three age groups studied -- 60-69, 70-79 and 80-89.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, found 67 percent ages 60-69 say they were moderately to very satisfied with their sex lives, as did 60 percent of those ages 70-79 and 61 percent of women ages 80-89.

"Contrary to our earlier hypothesis, sexual satisfaction was not significantly associated with age," Thompson said in a statement. "Although the levels of sexual activity and functioning did vary significantly, depending on the woman's age, their perceived quality of life, successful aging and sexual satisfaction remained positive."