The surprisingly hot truth about sex over the age of 50

Turns out there’s no need to worry about losing your libido as you get older, because the over-50s are seemingly having the best sex of their lives.

A whopping 70% of those aged 50+ have noticed significant, positive changes in their sex life compared to their younger years, according to research by sexual wellness brand LELO.

The survey looked at how the sex habits of 1,000 people aged 50 and older changed and discovered that far from watching their sex life dwindle, many are actually seeing it improve.

Nearly a third of respondents (32%) said they are having the best sex of their lives now that they’re older and over 16% claim that their sex drive has increased over recent years.

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While most respondents are having less sex now than in their youth, nearly one in five (19%) are having sex at least once a week and one in ten are doing it twice a week.

Interestingly, 42% of sexually active people have become more adventurous as they’ve got older, with half of the respondents (52%) revealing that they are more comfortable with experimenting in the bedroom now than ever before.

But despite all the great action between the sheets (or elsewhere), one in five of those polled admitted they would feel uncomfortable talking to their partner about changes to their sex drive.

When it comes to positions, doggy style beats missionary as being this age group's top pick, but a more adventurous bunch are pushing things a stage further and opting to try out the wheelbarrow (8%), reverse cowgirl (12%) and even scissoring (10%).

This generation aren't just sticking to bedroom sex either, while that is the most popular place to get it on with 82% admitting to being most comfortable there, a more adventurous 55% are getting raunchy in the living room and a cheeky third are opting for bathroom sex.

Turns out the experience of age is helping people feel more comfortable in the sack, with confidence considered to be crucial for great sex, especially when it comes to trying new things.

While many admit experimenting with sex toys, only a quarter (25%) of people consider them an essential part of their sex life. Of those who incorporate them into their bedroom activities, the most used toys are vibrators (77%) and dildos (39%).

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“Sexual wellness and wellbeing is something that should be present for people whatever age and stage they are at in their lives – it should not be exclusive," says Kate Moyle, sex and relationship expert for LELO UK, in response to the survey findings.

"What it looks like for that individual will be based on their personal context, age, health, relationship status, mental health and so much more," she explains. "What is important is that we acknowledge that our sex lives don't stay static but can change and adapt with us as we move through our lives.”

Luka Matutinović, CMO of the brand, says the findings seem to disprove the myth that sex stops when you hit your fifties.

"There is a widely accepted myth about senior citizens and their sex life, and that myth is that their sex life is virtually non-existent," he says.

"It is a deeply rooted fallacy based on people's discomfort with the ageing process. Luckily, in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

"We believe that everyone should celebrate pleasure — perhaps even more in the later years than when you were young. The changes that come with age make people more creative and keen to explore, which leads to them knowing and understanding exactly what they want."

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Need further proof that we're in the midst of a later life sex revolution? Just look to science.

A recent survey found that 85% of men aged 60-69 report being sexually active, as do 60% of those aged 70-79 and 32% of those aged 80 and over.

A further study, for the National Social Life, Health and Ageing Project (NSHAP), conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Chicago, found that almost three quarters (74%) of women aged 75 to 85 believed satisfactory sex was essential to maintaining a relationship, while 72% of men felt the same.

Turns out getting in on has multiple health benefits for the older generation too.

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A recent study published in the journal Sexual Medicine indicates that sexual activity is associated with improved wellbeing amongst older adults.

Led by Dr Sarah Jackson (UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care) and Dr Lee Smith from ARU, the study involved analysing survey data from 6,879 older adults, with an average age of 65.

It found that older men and women who reported any type of sexual activity in the previous 12 months had a higher life enjoyment score than those who were not sexually active.