What's going on in Boomer Bedrooms?

A new poll shows that 24 percent of 45- to 65-year-olds are dissatisfied with their sex lives. Maybe that's not surprising, given that's the age women undergo menopause.  

But the findings of the Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com poll weren't all predictable.

Sexual Know-It-Alls

Women know more about sex than men do - or at least think they do. Among people aged 45 to 65, the poll shows, 59 percent of women think they know all about sex, while just 48 percent of men share that confidence level, the poll found.  
 
"Women historically have more resources," to learn about sex, noted Jennifer Bass, director of communications at the Kinsey Institute for Sex, Gender and Reproduction.

Sex Drive Disconnect

Men seem to want sex more often than their partners. The poll found that among those aged 45 to 55, nearly half the men - 48 percent - complained that their partners don't want to have sex as often as they do. Just 13 percent of women in that age group say the same.  

 "Men certainly do tend to have higher sex drives, as a whole," said Debby Herbenick of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University - though she noted that some women also have quite high sex drives. At that age, she pointed out, women tend to be going into menopause, which can have marked impacts on their sex lives, having hot flashes and feeling tired. 

Sexless but Satisfied?

Is it possible to have a strong relationship even if sex isn't in the picture? Among men between 55 and 65, 59 percent say it is possible. Among women in that age group, 69 percent say it's possible. 

Flagging Sex Drives

Most female boomers - 56 percent - say their sex drive isn't as strong as it used to be. Only 46 percent of male boomers say their sex drive has decreased. 

Other Lover

Who's more likely to fantasize about having sex with someone other than their usual partner? If you guessed men, you're right.  

The poll found that 72 percent of men aged 45-65 have fantasized about having sex with someone else, compared with 48 percent of women. 

Not So Satisfied

More than one in four men in the baby boom generation - 28 percent - say they are less than satisfied with their sex lives. Among women in the same age group, 21 percent say they are dissatisfied.  

 
That means baby boomers are unhappier with their sex lives than people who are younger or older. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, 12 percent say they are dissatisfied. Twenty percent of 30- to 44-year-olds are dissatisfied, as are 17 percent of those over age 65. 

Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com poll involved online interviews with 945 adults between the ages of 45 and 65, as well as companion interviews with an additional 587 adults of other age groups, ages 18-44 and over 65 years of age.