An international team of scientists has found that sexual problems in women over the age of 65 are just as common as in middle-aged women, but they cause less concern. The study was published in the journal Menopause.

Although sexual activity tends to decrease with age, it does not disappear entirely. Previous research shows that more than 75% of middle-aged women consider sex important, while 37% of women over 65 and 10% of those over 85 remain sexually active. However, female sexual health in later life remains poorly studied, and seeking help for such issues is rare.

In the new study, which included nearly 3,500 sexually active women, researchers compared data from participants aged 65 and older with those aged 50–64. They found that older women were less likely to report loss of sexual desire and reduced sensitivity, yet they experienced female sexual dysfunction — problems lasting at least six months and interfering with the enjoyment of intimacy — just as often. The difference was that older women felt less emotional distress about these issues.

The authors suggest this may be due to greater acceptance of age-related changes or lower expectations for sexual life. It is also possible that older women discuss intimate difficulties less frequently and are unaware of available treatment options.

According to the researchers, the findings highlight the importance of addressing sexual health at every stage of life and offering support to women of all ages, not only during menopause.