Age-related prevalence rates of sexual difficulties, sexual dysfunctions and sexual distress in heterosexual men: results from an online survey in Flanders. Issue 4 (2nd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hendrickx, Lies; Gijs, Luk; Enzlin, Paul
• Is Part Of: Sexual and relationship therapy. Volume 34:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 440
• Page End: 461
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02
• Subjects: Distress -- sexual dysfunctions and DSM -- age -- men; Sex therapy -- Periodicals; Marital psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.6906
• DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2018.1500017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-1994

Abstract

Abstract: Besides erectile difficulties, age-related prevalence rates of male sexual difficulties remain inconsistent. Moreover, apart from erectile and premature ejaculation, epidemiological studies that provide detailed age-related prevalence rates of other sexual difficulties (e.g. lack of sexual desire) in men are rare. Prevalence rates of sexual dysfunctions (i.e. sexual difficulties that cause personal distress) are almost non-existent. Based on an online study of 14, 836 heterosexual Flemish men aged 16–74 years, age-related prevalence of sexual difficulties, sexual dysfunctions and associations with personal sexual distress are presented. While most sexual difficulties increased from age 55 to 60, hyperactive sexual desire and premature ejaculation decreased with age. Compared to sexual difficulties, sexual dysfunctions displayed only a mild association with age, suggesting that sexual difficulties per se and sexual distress are differently associated with age. The current results imply that research on predictors of sexual dysfunctions could benefit from assessing protective and risk factors associated with sexual difficulties and those associated with sexual distress separately.