clipped from news.bbc.co.uk

Old age is apparently not preventing US citizens from enjoying active sex lives, researchers there say.

In a survey of 3,005 people aged 57 to 85, a significant number said they were sexually active into their 70s and 80s.

Health problems or lack of a partner, rather than lack of desire, were listed as the most common barriers to sex.

Sex with a partner in the last year was reported by:

• 73% of those aged 57 to 64
• 53% of those aged 64 to 75
• 26% of those aged 75 to 85

Of those who said they were sexually active, most said they were having sex at least two or three times a month.

Half of the people surveyed up to age 75 said they had oral sex.

About half of the men and a quarter of the women said they masturbated, regardless of whether they had a sexual partner.

About half of the respondents said they had a "bothersome" sexual problem.

Among men, the most common problem was erectile difficulties. Fourteen percent of men said they used medicine or supplements to boost their sex lives.