Objective

To measure sexually active life expectancy (SALE) estimating the average age at which sexually active life finishes, paying special attention to the older population. Variations in SALE according to self-rated health are examined.

Method

Descriptive analysis with cross-sectional data. SALE was calculated for the population by age group (30 to 80 years old) and sex using the Sullivan Method, with data from the Human Mortality Database and the National Survey of Sexual Health (Spain). The analysis distinguishes between individuals that have had coital sex in the last year and those who have not.

Results

Coital activity continues in those aged from 55-59 years old, the SALE is 13.3 years in males and 8 in females. Coital activity is related to health and sexual health, diverging depending on sex and age group. The males showed a more extended sexually active trajectory than the females, but were also more influenced by good general health (adding 2.6 and 1 years respectively) and good sexual health (5.2 and 4.3 years). SALE also varies when poor health (subtracting 2.7 years and adding 2 years) and poor sexual health (subtracting 2.9 and 1.3 years) are considered.

Conclusions

The results reveal that sexual health programmes must be extended to the older ages, given that it is confirmed that sexual activity continues in old age.

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