Regular sex is healthy for older women, riskier for older men
By Sean Dowling, Buzz60
Sexually active older men could be at a higher risk of suffering ill health effects -- but the same isn't necessarily true for older women.
That's according to new research, which suggests recurrent, satisfying sexual activity can protect older women from certain health problems, but poses cardiovascular risks for men.
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Researchers from Michigan State University analyzed survey data from 2,204 people from the ages of 47 to 85 for the federally funded study.
Older women in the study who found sex to be pleasurable were less likely to develop hypertension than those who found sex less satisfying.
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When it came to the men, cardiovascular risk was almost two times greater in older men having regular sex.
The study's author thinks this is because older men have a tougher time reaching climax for medical or emotional reasons.
Because of this, they tend to overexert themselves and create more stress on their cardiovascular system.
For the study, cardiovascular risk included hypertension and rapid heart rate.
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