Is Sex After 60 Still a Thing? Science Says Heck Yes—and Here’s Why We’re Failing Women

by Mandy Morgan May 12, 2025

Picture this: You’re 70, finally retired, your kids are grown, and you’re ready to focus on yourself. But one thing keeps getting swept under the rug—your sex life. You still have desires, needs, cravings for connection. And guess what? Science says you’re not alone.

For far too long, society has pushed the ridiculous narrative that older women don’t have sex—or shouldn’t want to. That their sexuality somehow expires with menopause, like spoiled milk. But here’s the juicy truth: Older women still care deeply about sex, intimacy, and feeling desired. And they’re being seriously let down.

So, what do they need? What’s missing? A new study from Iran just gave us the inside scoop. Buckle up—it’s way more relatable (and empowering) than you think.

💥 What Older Women Really Want—Straight From the Source

Researchers sat down with 22 older women and 7 sexual health providers to dig into a taboo topic: unmet sexual needs. The stories they heard? Honest, emotional, and long overdue.

Here’s the highlight reel:

🧠 1. They Want to Be Heard—Not Hidden

Older women aren’t asking for fireworks every night. But they do want affection, closeness, and, yes, sex that’s meaningful.

“We may not be able to do everything we did when we were young, but caressing, kissing—those still matter,” said one 65-year-old participant.

🛑 2. Privacy, Please!

Grandkids barging in. Thin walls. Judgmental stares. Many women said it’s nearly impossible to get even a moment of private intimacy.

“My husband tries to massage my back, and I’m afraid the kids will walk in,” said a 67-year-old woman. Yikes.

❤️ 3. Respect Their Sexuality

Being older doesn’t mean giving up the right to say “yes,” “no,” or “not tonight, thanks.” But some felt pressured into sex just to keep the peace.

“Sometimes I just give in so my husband won’t sulk. But I don’t really want it,” one woman admitted.

Let’s be real—this isn’t just about sex. It’s about respect, autonomy, and feeling seen.

💡 So, Why Aren’t These Needs Being Met?

Great question. The answer? A mix of old-school beliefs, medical neglect, and social shame.

👩‍⚕️ Doctors Aren’t Asking the Right Questions

Many healthcare providers either avoid the topic or assume older women don’t want sex. That’s not just awkward—it’s harmful.

“We need doctors who actually know how to help us,” one woman said. And honestly, same.

🧓 Cultural Taboos Still Rule

In many cultures (and let’s be honest, even in some Western households), talking about sex past a certain age is practically forbidden.

“I’d love to talk to my husband about how I feel during sex,” one woman shared, “but it feels shameful.”

💸 Services? What Services?

From counseling to treatment for sexual pain or menopause-related issues, specialized clinics are rare. That’s like expecting someone to run a marathon without shoes.

🌱 Try This: 3 Ways to Support Sexual Health in Later Life

Whether you’re an older woman yourself or just someone who cares (hi, that should be all of us!), here are three ways to help normalize and support sexual wellness at any age.

✅ 1. Start the Conversation

Ask your doctor (or your parents’ doctor!) about sexual health services. If they flinch, you know there’s work to do.

✅ 2. Ditch the Shame

If you’re in a relationship, talk openly about what feels good, what doesn’t, and what you want more of. No embarrassment allowed.

✅ 3. Demand Better Care

Sexual health is health. Period. Advocate for services in your community, from menopause support groups to sex-positive therapy.

🧠 “Wait, What?!” Science Facts

• 25% of women over 65 report moderate to high interest in sex
• Over ⅓ are still sexually active
• Many prefer intimacy like kissing, cuddling, or emotional closeness
• Lack of privacy is one of the biggest mood-killers reported

Sex doesn’t end—it just evolves.

🗣 Let’s Talk About It

This research shines a spotlight on something society has tried to keep in the dark: Older women have sexual needs—and they deserve to have those needs met with dignity, privacy, and care.

So let’s ask the big questions:

• Have you ever felt like society ignored or dismissed older people’s sexuality?
• What would you want from a sexual health provider in your later years?
• Why do you think it’s still so taboo to talk about sex after 60?