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Older men more likely to purchase sex, less likely to use condoms
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Among men aged 60 to 84 years who solicited sex workers, those who were older were more likely to frequently purchase sex and engage in sexual activities without protection, according to a study published in the American Journal of Men’s Health.
“There is a nearly universal perception that older men do not pay for, or even engage sexually with regular frequency,” Christina Milrod, PhD, sex therapist in Los Angeles, said in a press release. “This view may contribute to a false sense of security for both clients and sex workers during their encounters, and may lead to less protective strategies than with younger purchasers of sex. In addition, the exchange of emotional intimacy during the so-called ‘Girlfriend Experience’ as well as the possibility of being viewed as an elderly low-risk client who engages with only one or a very limited number of providers may contribute to a relaxation of boundaries and a false sense of security in avoiding STIs.”
To assess condom use and sexual risk behavior in older men who solicited sex workers, Milrod and colleague Martin Monto, PhD, University of Portland, Oregon, surveyed 208 men, aged 60 to 84 years, who had been actively using sex provider review websites and discussion boards. The majority of participants were white (n = 201) and heterosexual (n = 202), and 68% reported being married.
Results demonstrated that among men who reported purchasing sex more than 13 times in the past 12 months (n = 118), the most commonly purchased sexual activity was fellatio, with 33.7% of participants reporting no condom use during oral sex. Sexual intercourse with a condom was reported by 31.7% of these participants, according to the researchers. Older age was associated with more frequent purchasing of a sex provider.
Although only 2.9% of the men surveyed reported condomless penile-vaginal sex with a provider, Milrod and colleagues said more than half (51%) indicated that they had engaged in condomless sex at least once during their lifetime. According to the researchers, condomless sex was associated with a preference for providers who do not require condom use, having been diagnosed with a STI, advancing age, and a higher perceived risk for HIV, as well as having more emotional relationships with sex providers.
The study also showed that 31% of participants reported having ever been diagnosed with an STI, and 77.4% of men believed they had a low chance of becoming infected with HIV. However, only 62% of these men reported being tested for HIV, according to the release.
Patient-provider discussions about sex after turning 60 were only reported by 57.2% of participants, and 82.2% of these men initiated the conversation, according to the researchers.
Health screenings of aging males should include specific questions concerning a putative variety of sexual partners and detailed assessments of protective strategies to reduce the incidence of STIs among this growing population of sexually active older men,” the researchers concluded. – by Casey Hower
- Reference:
- Milrod C, et al. Am J Mens Health. 2016;doi:10.1177/1557988315623990.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.