Middle-aged women sexually more active

Researchers in the US found that more than half of 18 to 30-year-olds struggle to find satisfaction between the sheets - a much higher proportion than those aged between 31 and 54.

And the most sexually active group is 31 to 45-year-olds (87 percent) - ahead of the 18 to 30-year-olds (85 percent) and 46 to 54-year-olds (74 percent), says a Telegraph report.

But an alarming two-in-three women suffer from sexual dysfunction with the problems rising with age in all categories.

This bucked the trend with problems higher among 18 to 30-year-olds (54 per cent) than in the 31 to 45 (43 per cent) and 46 to 54 (48 per cent) age groups. It then soared to 66 per cent in 55 to 70-year-olds and 87 per cent for those above 70.

Sexual dysfunction has been described as low sex drive or libido, followed by difficulty with orgasm and pain during intercourse, among others.

The survey asked 587 women of all ages, attending a urology clinic in New Jersey, about six key areas of female sexual dysfunction and discovered problems are widespread from disinterest to frustration.

Study leader Debra Fromer said: “We found that 63 per cent of the women suffered from FSD and there were significant links between FSD and age, menopausal status and use of selective anti-depressants.”

“Self-esteem, sense of wholeness and relationships can be seriously and adversely affected, exacting a heavy emotional toll. Researchers have found significant associations between major categories of sexual dysfunction, reduced physical and emotional satisfaction and general well-being,” Fromer added.