Sexual health in mature age: Why problems often remain unresolved

Sexuality remains an important part of human life also in older age – it contributes to relationship satisfaction, well-being, and overall quality of life. Although research shows that most people maintain an interest in intimacy even after the age of 50, various problems are more common during this period, such as a decrease in sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, or pain during sexual intercourse. These problems can negatively affect relationships and personal well-being. Despite this, people of mature age rarely seek professional help – the reasons for this "silence" around sexual difficulties have been little researched to date. A new study, conducted as part of the PRINS project, has therefore focused on this gap, with significant contributions from INPSY members Gabriela Gore-Gorszewska (the lead researcher) and Anna Ševčíková.

The team of authors decided to investigate how common sexual difficulties are among Czech men and women aged 50–75, how often these people seek professional help, and what obstacles prevent them from doing so. The research was based on the representative CzechSex survey (2023/2024), which involved nearly 3,000 respondents over the age of 50. Participants answered questions about the occurrence of sexual difficulties, the extent to which they consider them disturbing, and whether they have sought professional help in the last five years.

Problems are common, solutions are rare

The study showed that nearly 60 % of people aged 50–75 have experienced sexual problems at some point in their lives, and more than half experienced them in the past year. However, the results suggest that the willingness to seek help is very low: less than 8% of respondents said they had sought professional advice or therapy in the past five years. Whether people perceive the problem as troubling plays a significant role. Those who did not consider their difficulties to be serious or burdensome did not usually seek professional help. According to the authors, this is partly due to the fact that older people often adapt their intimate lives and place greater emphasis on closeness and tenderness than on sexual intercourse itself. However, there are more reasons why people who experience difficulties do not seek help. Often, it is the belief that the difficulties are a natural consequence of aging or a temporary condition that does not require intervention. Psychological barriers – such as embarrassment, shame, or fear of negative reactions from those around them – further reduce the willingness to share the problem with a partner or doctor. The results also suggest that some expect spontaneous improvement without professional intervention. Interestingly, systemic barriers, such as lack of services or long waiting times, played only a minimal role. In other words, most people were prevented from contacting a professional by their own feelings rather than the actual unavailability of care.

Women seek help less often than men

The analysis also revealed an interesting gender difference – women were less willing to seek professional help for their sexual difficulties than men, even though they tend to be more active in other areas of healthcare. This trend may be related to the fact that women's sexual health is still largely neglected in public debate and medicine. Women are also more likely to accept sexual difficulties as a natural part of aging and less likely to address them, especially if sexual activity is not a priority in their current stage of life. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to perceive these difficulties as more serious, as Czech culture emphasizes penetrative sex even at an advanced age – its inability may thus lead to, for example, a threat to self-image and overall partnership, which may increase men’s motivation to seek help.

The study sends a clear message: sexual difficulties in mature age are common but mostly remain unaddressed. This is not just a medical problem – psychological and cultural barriers that prevent people from talking openly about their difficulties are key. The authors recommend that future interventions and campaigns focus on destigmatizing the topic and promoting open communication about sexuality in later life, both in relationships and in doctors' offices. It is necessary to create a safe environment where people are not afraid to talk about their difficulties and know that professional help is available to improve the quality of (sex) life.

Recommended citation:

Gore-Gorszewska, G., Ševčíková, A., Bártová, K., Krejčová, L., Kalenská, L., Androvičová, R., ... & Klapilová, K. (2025). Silent struggles: help-seeking barriers for sexual difficulties among adults 50+ in Czechia. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1622872. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1622872