Washington (dpa) – Masturbation is rarely the subject of conversation or even scientific research, particularly when involving older people, and yet it appears its popularity is increasing among those in their 60s. In a paper published by the Menopause Society in November, researchers said they found a "growing prevalence of masturbation and sex-toy use" among women in the US aged 60 and up after questioning around 3,000 of them about their sex lives. The authors say older people may be replacing intercourse with sex toys and other alternatives as penetrative sex becomes more painful and difficult because of menopause or erectile problems. The finding comes as separate research has shown that women rate masturbation among their preferred methods of managing symptoms of menopause. "By initiating conversations around sexuality in routine healthcare encounters, healthcare professionals can destigmatize the topic and provide valuable instruction on how to achieve an orgasm," said Monica Christmas, associate medical director at The Menopause Society. Christmas came to that conclusion after respondents "reported much greater use of sex toys during masturbation than during sex with a partner," with those doing so "significantly more likely to report always or almost always having an orgasm." "The most frequently used sex toys were an external vibrator or a dildo/penetrative toy," the team reported. "Given the prevalence of masturbation and sex toy use as well as their relationships to orgasm, older women could benefit from information from health care professionals on these topics," the researchers recommended in their paper. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh
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