Right, buckle up because we’re about to blow the lid off the sexy secrets of the over 55s!

A survey which peeks into the UK’s bedroom secrets has debunked the myth that people over 55 would rather have a cup of tea. In fact far from it; the survey by the makers of an award-winning sex toy, showed those born in the swinging sixties – and beyond – are fully feeling frisky.

The independent survey of over 2,000 men and women revealed some enlightening answers from in the over 55s category:

• More than a quarter – 27% – own a sex toy.
• Of those who do use sex toys, 8% own at least three vibrators – and 2% own five or more.
• Almost one in 10 say they masturbate to relax – more than cooking, exercising, smoking or meditating.
• Almost a fifth say they still masturbate two to three times a week (only a few per cent less than in the 16-24 category).
• More than two-fifths said they sometimes get more satisfaction from their sex toy than their partner.

So what conclusions can we draw from this? (THREE VIBRATORS?!)?

Well, it seems that the over 55s are certainly not slowing down when it comes to a bit of self love. You can keep your dinners, your gyms and your meditation – there’s nothing like a bit of sexual release for relaxing. Nor are they shy when it comes to trying sex toys – and in fact are more on par with the very young group in the survey. This probably raises the question about having enough time for simple pleasures.

Time is short in our middle years, bringing up kids and working all hours, and sex often goes on the back burner. But as we find ourselves with more time, er, on our hands, it seems that sex drive rises right back up again. Good news for anyone in their 40s despairing that their sex life has dwindled to nothing but a fond memory.

MEASURING UP
Stereotypes often suggest that the older generation have a lower sex drive than the younger, but this survey absolutely disproves this theory, and some of the results are enlightening. Also, once upon a time masturbation was a taboo subject. It’s great to see this being talked about more openly too.

The survey also suggested the older generation are more honest in their relationships than younger respondents. Almost 80% said they are unlikely to hide anything from a partner, for instance, compared to just 50% in the 25-34 age group. However, they do take longer to introduce sex toys into the bedroom, waiting an average of nine months into a relationship to whip them out, compared to six months for the younger groups.

So it’s definitely not all doom and gloom when it comes to thinking about your sex life in later years – quite the opposite in fact. Apart from the honesty aspect within older relationships, the level of self love indicated in the 55+ age group perhaps doubly demonstrates that confidence and sexual appetite grows in our second life. And if we’re not already romping about, that’s something we can all look forward to, eh.

Is your sex life (on your own or with others) better post 50?!