Elderly Swedes turn to potency pills: report

The study shows that men in the age group 75-84 are taking 20 percent more erectile-dysfunction drugs than four years ago.

Sven-Axel Månsson, professor in social work at the Malmö University, thinks that the trend will continue upward.

“Studies show that there are clear expectations of a functioning sex life even at a mature age,” Månsson told news agency TT.

In an on-going project Månsson is studying Swedes’ sex drives at different stages in their lives. He sees older people’s increased interest in sex as a natural part of a society where sex is given such a prominent place.

In older studies on sex drive, these age groups weren’t even included, but since then sex has become viewed as an important factor for the general health and well-being of individuals.

Many feel that successful sex includes penetrative intercourse. Erectile-dysfunction drugs or injections can help with that.

Månsson thinks that it is good that we have developed a more accepting and positive view on sex at later stages in life. At the same time he thinks that it could also lead to pressure to keep having sex when the erotic lust has waned.

“Of course one could think ‘why can’t I just be left alone?’,” he said to TT.

TT/The Local/rm