Research This is the sexual behavior of German middle-aged men

Large survey reveals male sexuality in middle age

A large survey, involving more than 12,000 German men over the age of 45, reveals male sexual behavior and sexual activity in middle age. Among others, first sexual experiences, sexual orientation, the number of partners as well as the practiced sex practices were discussed.

Doctors of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) talked about their sexuality in a period of two years with 12,354 men at the age of 45 years. The physicians were able to show a general picture of what the male sexuality of German middle-aged men looks like. The researchers published their study results in the journal "Sexual Medicine".

A large-scale survey of the Technical University of Munich provides insights into the sexual life of 45-year-old German men. (Image: detailblick / fotolia.com)

First sexual experiences

As the respondents reported, most had their first sexual experience at around the age of 18. First and foremost, the subjects experienced the first sex experiences with women regardless of their sexual orientation. The first sexual experience with men experienced some of the subjects only an average of two years later. According to the survey, these experiences were independent of the actual sexual orientation. "This is probably a finding phase in which sexually different things are tried out", explains the study director Professor Kathleen Herkommer in a press release of the TUM on the study results.

Which sex practices are preferred?

The participants provided information about the sexual practices practiced within the last three months. Vaginal intercourse was clearly in first place for heterosexual men. Ninety-four percent of 45-year-olds said they had vaginal intercourse in the past three months. In second place was oral sex, practiced on average 60 percent. In homosexual men, however, oral sex is number one. 91 percent of gay men said they had oral sex in the last three months. 64 percent of homosexual men had anal intercourse in the last three months.

Unusual findings

As the researchers report, came in the survey also an unusual sexual behavior in some subjects to light. For example, every tenth homosexual has had intercourse with women in the last three months. About six percent of homosexuals are married to a woman and only had sex with women. This group of "hidden homosexuals" was documented for the first time in this form.

How many sex partners had middle-aged men?

According to the researchers, 98 percent of heterosexual men reported having had sex with no more than 10 different people until the age of 45. For bisexual and homosexual men, this cut was much higher. "About one-third of bisexual men and almost half of homosexual men were sexually significantly more active: they had more than 30 different sexual partners," write the TUM physicians.

Relationships preferred

The survey also sheds light on the relationship status of middle-aged men. For example, three-quarters of heterosexual men and over half of homosexual men said they lived with their partner or partner for five to ten years. "Almost 70 percent of heterosexual men were married and 80 percent became fathers," said the TUM researchers.

Hidden homosexuals with wife and child

"We have found a group that know their homosexuality, but do not live it out, but lead and lead a purely heterosexual life," says Professor Herkommer. Often these "hidden homosexuals" would have wife and children. The study director points out that such a discrepancy could lead to mental health problems. Based on the collected data, this can now be further explored. About six percent of homosexuals would show such behavior.

Findings useful for prostate cancer research

Furthermore, the findings of the survey can also be used to investigate the influence of sexual behavior on the development of prostate cancer. The data was collected as part of the PROBASE study, which investigates the risk of prostate cancer in young men. This is financed by the German Cancer Aid. (Vb)