33 percent of adults aged 65 and older reported interest in sex during the past year. Only 19.3 percent of Americans in that age group had sex at least once in the prior 12 months. Data on desire, erectile dysfunction, pain, and clinician access show where the gaps persist.
Key Takeaways
- 19.3% of Americans aged 65+ reported having sex at least once in the past 12 months (2019)
- 33% of adults aged 65+ reported interest in sex in the past year (2016)
- 27% of adults aged 60-69 reported having sex during the prior 12 months (2009)
- 46% of women aged 57-64 reported decreased sexual desire in the past year (2018)
- 40% of women aged 65-74 reported pain during intercourse (2019)
- 36% of men with erectile dysfunction reported difficulty achieving or maintaining erections (2018 survey)
- 12% CAGR forecast 2024-2030 for erectile dysfunction drugs market
- 9.4% CAGR of the global sexual wellness market forecast 2024-2032
- US$ 7.7 billion global market size for vaginal moisturizers and lubricants in 2023
- 43% of U.S. adults 65+ said they use the internet for health information (2021)
- 58% of adults 65+ reported using smartphones (2021)
- US$ 1.2 billion global telehealth market size in 2020 (enabling delivery of sexual health care to older adults)
- 19% of adults aged 65+ have hypertension (2019)
- 11% of adults aged 65+ have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2018)
- 2.4% prevalence of stroke among adults aged 65+ in the U.S. (2019)
Many older adults want clinicians to discuss sexual health, yet over half lack professional information.
Related reading
01 · Category
Prevalence Rates10 stats
01
19.3% of Americans aged 65+ reported having sex at least once in the past 12 months (2019)
02
33% of adults aged 65+ reported interest in sex in the past year (2016)
03
27% of adults aged 60-69 reported having sex during the prior 12 months (2009)
04
34% of men aged 70+ reported sexual activity at least once in the past month (2010)
05
21% of adults aged 65+ reported that their sexual activity has decreased compared with earlier in life (2014)
06
33% of women aged 60-69 reported vaginal dryness or pain during sex (2014)
07
25% of men aged 70+ reported erectile dysfunction (2018)
08
17.8% of U.S. adults aged 65+ reported erectile dysfunction symptoms at least sometimes (2016)
09
22% of older adults reported needing help for sexual difficulties (2017)
10
24% of adults aged 50+ reported that sex is important to their quality of life (2018)
Interpretation
Prevalence Rates Interpretation
In the prevalence rates for sex after 70, reported sexual activity is far from universal, ranging from 19.3% of Americans aged 65+ who had sex in the past 12 months to 34% of men aged 70+ who were sexually active at least once in the past month, showing that while interest and activity are common, they still affect only a minority of older adults.
02 · Category
Barriers & Solutions11 stats
01
46% of women aged 57-64 reported decreased sexual desire in the past year (2018)
02
40% of women aged 65-74 reported pain during intercourse (2019)
03
36% of men with erectile dysfunction reported difficulty achieving or maintaining erections (2018 survey)
04
52% of older adults with sexual concerns said they did not receive information from healthcare professionals (2016)
05
70% of older adults reported that they would like clinicians to discuss sexual health (2017)
06
64% of men with erectile dysfunction reported inadequate treatment satisfaction (2019)
07
67% of women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause reported sexual discomfort (2018)
08
58% of older adults reported that relationship quality influenced their sexual satisfaction (2019)
09
31% of older adults cited health problems as the primary reason for reduced sexual activity (2015)
10
29% of adults aged 50+ reported anxiety about sex as a barrier (2016)
11
74% of older adults who had discussed sex with a clinician reported it was helpful (2020)
Interpretation
Barriers & Solutions Interpretation
Across recent studies, major barriers to sex after 70 cluster around unmet clinical support and common sexual challenges, with 52% of older adults saying they did not receive sexual health information from healthcare professionals and 70% wanting clinicians to discuss it.
03 · Category
Market & Industry6 stats
01
12% CAGR forecast 2024-2030 for erectile dysfunction drugs market
02
9.4% CAGR of the global sexual wellness market forecast 2024-2032
03
US$ 7.7 billion global market size for vaginal moisturizers and lubricants in 2023
04
US$ 2.1 billion U.S. market size for erectile dysfunction drugs in 2022
05
US$ 1.4 billion global market size for menopause symptom management in 2023
06
US FDA recorded 3,527 adverse event reports for Viagra (sildenafil) between 2010-2023
Interpretation
Market & Industry Interpretation
The Market & Industry data shows sustained growth potential for products tied to sex after 70, with the erectile dysfunction drugs market forecast to grow at a 12% CAGR from 2024 to 2030 and the global sexual wellness market projected to rise at a 9.4% CAGR through 2032, supported by major category sizes like $7.7 billion for vaginal moisturizers and lubricants in 2023.
04 · Category
Digital Engagement5 stats
01
43% of U.S. adults 65+ said they use the internet for health information (2021)
02
58% of adults 65+ reported using smartphones (2021)
03
US$ 1.2 billion global telehealth market size in 2020 (enabling delivery of sexual health care to older adults)
04
38% of consumers reported they search online before buying sexual wellness products (survey, 2022)
05
46% of surveyed patients preferred virtual visits over in-person for sensitive topics, including sexual health (2021)
Interpretation
Digital Engagement Interpretation
Digital engagement among older adults and consumers is strong, with 58% of Americans 65+ using smartphones and 43% using the internet for health information, while the sexual wellness journey increasingly starts online with 38% searching before buying and 46% preferring virtual visits for sensitive topics.
05 · Category
Health Outcomes6 stats
01
19% of adults aged 65+ have hypertension (2019)
02
11% of adults aged 65+ have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2018)
03
2.4% prevalence of stroke among adults aged 65+ in the U.S. (2019)
04
27% of adults aged 65+ report mobility limitations (2019)
05
34% of adults aged 65+ report mental distress (2019)
06
19% of adults aged 65+ report depressive symptoms (2021)
Interpretation
Health Outcomes Interpretation
Health outcomes after 70 are shaped by substantial chronic burden, with 27% reporting mobility limitations and 34% reporting mental distress, alongside common conditions like 19% with hypertension and 11% with COPD.
More related reading
06 · Category
Prevalence & Behavior2 stats
01
31.9% of adults aged 65+ reported having used erectile dysfunction medication at least once (survey year not specified in the excerpt; NHIS-based analysis)
02
17.5% of men aged 70–79 reported at least moderate erectile dysfunction severity (2016)
Interpretation
Prevalence & Behavior Interpretation
For the Prevalence and Behavior angle, the data suggest that sexual health remains an active concern in older age, with 31.9% of adults aged 65+ having used erectile dysfunction medication at least once and 17.5% of men aged 70 to 79 reporting at least moderate erectile dysfunction severity in 2016.
07 · Category
Health Conditions2 stats
01
34.0% of women aged 65+ reported urinary urgency/frequency symptoms (2018) alongside genitourinary complaints
02
67.0% of women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause reported sexual discomfort (2018)
Interpretation
Health Conditions Interpretation
From a health conditions perspective, urinary urgency or frequency affects 34.0% of women aged 65 and older, and 67.0% of those with genitourinary syndrome of menopause report sexual discomfort, showing how common genitourinary issues can strongly impact sex after 70.
08 · Category
Healthcare Access3 stats
01
74.0% of older adults who had discussed sex with a clinician reported it was helpful (2020)
02
52.0% of older adults with sexual concerns said they did not receive information from healthcare professionals (2016)
03
29.0% of primary care physicians reported they never or rarely ask patients about sexual health (2015)
Interpretation
Healthcare Access Interpretation
In the healthcare access area, the contrast is striking: while 74.0% of older adults who discussed sex with a clinician found it helpful, 52.0% of those with sexual concerns did not receive information from healthcare professionals and 29.0% of primary care physicians never or rarely ask about sexual health, suggesting a major gap in access to meaningful guidance.
09 · Category
Market Size5 stats
01
$9.6 billion global market size for erectile dysfunction drugs in 2023 (forecast period not specified in excerpt)
02
$3.1 billion U.S. market size for menopause symptom management in 2023
03
$7.2 billion global market size for sexual wellness in 2023
04
$1.8 billion U.S. market size for vaginal moisturizers and lubricants in 2023
05
$1.3 billion U.S. market for sexual health telemedicine consultations (2022)
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
The Market Size data suggests that demand connected to sex after 70 is already sizable and expanding across multiple product lines, with 2023 market values reaching $9.6 billion globally for erectile dysfunction drugs and $7.2 billion globally for sexual wellness, while U.S. niches such as $1.8 billion for vaginal moisturizers and lubricants and $1.3 billion for sexual health telemedicine in 2022 further show strong, segment-level revenue potential.
10 · Category
Trends & Technology2 stats
01
23.0% of adults aged 65+ who have trouble with sexual health report using online resources for information (2019)
02
2.3x increase in telehealth usage among older adults from 2020 to 2021 (U.S.)
Interpretation
Trends & Technology Interpretation
For the Trends & Technology angle on sex after 70, older adults are increasingly turning to digital support, with 23.0% of adults aged 65+ who have trouble with sexual health using online resources in 2019 and telehealth usage rising 2.3 times from 2020 to 2021.
report visual · Projection
Sex and sexual interest in later life (selected years)
A minority of older adults report recent sexual activity, while interest in sex remains higher than reported activity.
27 percent
Start
-3.3%
CAGR · 10y
19.3 percent
Projected
20092019
source-verifiedncbi.nlm.nih.gov2019
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Elena Vasquez. (2026, February 13). Sex After 70 Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sex-after-70-statistics
MLA
Elena Vasquez. "Sex After 70 Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sex-after-70-statistics.
Chicago
Elena Vasquez. 2026. "Sex After 70 Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sex-after-70-statistics.
Sources & references
52 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+36 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)