Middle-aged men not getting lucky
A NATIONAL health survey has revealed the average middle aged man is lucky to have sex three times a month - and he's not happy about it.
Lilly Australia released its Health, Identity and Sex report this week based on the results of a Galaxy Research poll targeting thousands of Australian men aged between 40-69.
The report found that nearly half of the participants struggled with some level of erectile dysfunction.
More than 86% said not being able to respond sexually had a significant impact on their daily life.
The report also found middle-aged men who were able to perform were just as unhappy.
The majority of participants were convinced they were the only ones missing out and others their age were having sex more often (at least five times a month).
Social researcher Jeff Gilling while most men felt their sex lives weren't "up to scratch", many took their ability to perform for granted.
"A healthy sex life is a significant measure of masculinity and overall health," Mr Gilling said
"As such it's still as important for many in their 50s and 60s as it was when they were in their 20s and 30s.
"It's the old adage - they don't know they're missing until it's gone."
Perhaps unsurprisingly, a significant number of dads admitted having children in the home significantly impacted their love lives.
More than 42% expected they could have more time for sex when their children left home and about 39% believed their sex lives would improve when that occurred.
Work stress was also a key factor, with 37% saying they anticipated having more sex post retirement.
But while the findings painted a gloomy picture for Mr Gilling said it was not all bad news.
He said the modern day dad was no longer "gearing down" in their 50s and 60s but preparing for the next stage in their lives.
"As the baby boomer generation has reinvented every life stage through which they have passed so too are they reinventing retirement," he said
"With increased life spans, many can expect to live well into their 80s and 90s and expect an active sex life to be part of that."
Copies of the report can be downloaded from www.HISreport.com.au
