70 is Great!

More people are having at age 70 than 30 years ago, according to a new survey.

Before you get grossed out and say, "Ewww," try to take the long view of the fact that 70-year-olds are having more and better than old people were 30 years ago. Meaning, you’re going to be older someday too, so this is good news.

Swedish researches surveyed 1,500 people at age 70 over a period of 30 years, and reported that as of 2001 (the most recent year available from the survey), more people at that age reported having, and that it was rated as "satisfying" at higher percentages than in earlier surveys.

"Our study shows that a large majority of [the] elderly consider activity and feelings a natural part of late life," said lead author of the study Nils Beckman, from the department of neuropsychiatric epidemiology at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Gothenburg University in Sweden. "It is thus important that health professionals and others take into consideration, irrespective of age."

In 1971, 52% of married men aged 70 reported being active, compared to 68% in 2001. In married women aged 70, 36% of them in 1971 were active, and 56% in 2001.

Not only that, more respondents of both genders in 2001 said their relationships were "highly satisfying," and more women reported being able to achieve orgasm during intercourse.

Dr. Petra Boynton, a and relationship psychologist at University College in London, told reporters, "We still have this stereotype of elderly people with their bath chairs and canes, staggering around, who couldn't possibly be having - but that isn't the case."

Clearly.

Dr. Boynton added that people who were 70 years old in 2001 were in their 30s during the 1960s and the "revolution" that took place during that decade. Other studies have shown that people who have satisfying lives in their youth are more likely to continue with healthy lives as they get older.

Another contributing factor to the reports of satisfaction is the fact that divorce is more acceptable now that it would have been in the early 1970s, so more people are with partners who are truly compatible.

Other factors to consider: the introduction of such drugs as Viagra and Cialis, which treat erectile dysfunction in men but have also been used (usually off –label) to treat lowered libido in women as well.

But experts say that while drugs like Viagra may have helped, it is likely a combination of all of the factors, including people taking better care of themselves, freedom of partner choice, and a more open attitude about that has contributed to the ah, upswing.

"Probably the addressing of physiological problems with the development of medications like Viagra explain some - but not all - of the upward activity trend," said S. Jay Olshansky, a public health professor and researcher at the Center on Aging at the University of Chicago, to reporters. "But the most important point being made here is that when it comes, clearly it doesn't matter what age you are. At least most men and many women still have a desire to have it as they age."

But it’s grossing out their kids. People, regardless of age, have generally felt squeamish when talking about, or even considering, the fact that their parents have (some don’t want to fathom the deed happening even once). Even adults, considering the lives of their 70-year-old parents, don’t tend to relish the discussion. "Before we celebrate," warns well-known sociologist at the University of Washington Pepper Schwartz, "let me assure you that young people, while celebrating the occasional 'cougar,' still can't bear to think of their parents as being ."

"TMI! TMI!" (translation: Too Much Information) screamed one blogger’s comments in response to the survey. "That’s nice, just don’t videotape it please," was another.

These typical reactions are one of the reasons, say experts on and aging, why the topic of activity at older ages is considered a somewhat taboo topic.