London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

A new study, published in The Lancet as part of the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) study, systematically assesses the association between individuals’ general health and their sex lives, finding that close to one in six (17%) of men and women in Britain say that their health affects their sex life. This proportion rises to three fifths (60%) among men and women who say they are in bad health.

The new findings show the extent to which ill-health is linked to whether people have sex, as well as satisfaction with their sex lives. Additionally, the research shows that only a quarter of men (24%) and under a fifth of women (18%) who say that ill-health affected their sex life in the past year sought help from a health professional, usually a GP. The authors of the study suggest that health professionals should consider giving greater attention to providing appropriate advice on patients’ sex lives as part of their wider health.

The researchers, led by Dr Nigel Field from UCL, in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and NatCen Social Research, found that the proportion of people who had recently had sex (within the past four weeks) declined with age, and that sexual activity was also lower among those who reported being in bad health, compared to those who reported being in very good health. This association with health remained even after the results were adjusted to account for age, and whether respondents were in a relationship.

The researchers also analysed the associations between sexual satisfaction, age, and health. Overall, around three fifths (60%) of men and women reported being satisfied with their sex lives, though this proportion was lower in older people. Lower levels of satisfaction were associated with poorer health, with the association again remaining after adjustment for age and relationship status.

However, although the overall results show a clear association between ill-health and individuals’ sex lives, the researchers point out that many people who are in bad health report being sexually active and/or satisfied with their sex life. Around a third of respondents who were in bad health reported recent sexual activity, and just under half of the same group reported being satisfied with their sex life.

The study was funded by the Medical Research Council and The Wellcome Trust, with additional funding from the Economic & Social Research Council and the Department of Health.

• Nigel Field, Catherine H Mercer, Pam Sonnenberg, Clare Tanton, Soazig Clifton, Kirstin R Mitchell, Bob Erens, Wendy Macdowall, Frederick Wu, Jessica Datta, Kyle G Jones, Amy Stevens, Philip Prah, Andrew J Copas, Andrew Phelps, Kaye Wellings, Anne M Johnson. Associations between health and sexual lifestyles in Britain: findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3). The Lancet. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62222-9