Lack Of A Partner - Emotional And Social Issues: Womens Sexual Health

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Lack of a partner

It may seem obvious that not having a partner is an impediment to an active sex life, but it's an important issue for older people. By age 65, many people find themselves alone, through either divorce or widowhood.

According to the AARP sexuality survey, 64% of men with partners and 62% of women with partners are primarily satisfied with their sex lives. This is in sharp contrast to the small proportion of those without partners (19% of men and 28% of women) who are pleased with their sex lives.

The partner gap is a particular problem for American women because their average life span (80 years) is about five years longer than that of men. Because American women marry men who are on average three years older, that can mean even more time alone. Should a woman want to remarry, her chance of finding a new mate in her age bracket dwindles yearly; there is an average of only 7 men for every 10 women ages 65 and above.

Finally, starting a new sexual relationship after divorce or the death of a spouse can present its own dilemmas. People often fear that they will not become aroused or be able to have an orgasm with a different partner. They also may be self-conscious about baring their body in front of someone new. Because a new relationship may come along months or years after their last sexual relationship, some individuals feel anxious that they have "forgotten how to have sex" or that "the equipment doesn't work anymore." For those who have lost a much-loved spouse, feelings of guilt or disloyalty at starting a new relationship can be overwhelming.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007