Gender Differences in Sexually Active Life Expectancy in France

04/09/2026

AI Summary

Men have higher sexually active life expectancy than women: 47.1 versus 44.5 years; including masturbation increases to 52.9 and 48.9 years.
Poor sexual satisfaction reduces sexual life expectancy markedly: men lose 11 years, women lose 8, narrowing the gender gap.
Among ages 50 to 89, the gender gap in being sexually active and satisfied narrows; OR increases from 0.64 to 0.76 after full adjustment.

Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2026 Sep 3. doi: 10.1111/psrh.70076. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: A life course perspective on sexual activity is gaining attention due to increased longevity and the relationship between health and sexual behavior. Building on Lindau’s and Gavrilova’s concept of sexually active life expectancy, we examine how including non-partnered sexual behaviors and satisfaction influences sexual life expectancy by gender in France.

METHODS: We estimate sexually active life expectancy using Sullivan’s method, which integrates life table data from the 2023 vital registration with sexual activity prevalence from the CSF-2023 French national survey. We also calculate a quality-adjusted sexually active life expectancy that accounts for sexual satisfaction. Finally, we identify sociodemographic and health factors related to having a satisfying sexual activite life among individuals aged 50-89.

RESULTS: A 20-24-year-old man has a sexually active life expectancy of 47.1 years, compared to 44.5 years for a woman. This figure expands to 52.9 years for men and 48.9 years for women when including masturbation. The gender gap narrows when considering sexual satisfaction, with men losing 11 years and women 8 years of sexual life expectancy due to poor sexual satisfaction. Among individuals aged 50-89, the gender gap in being sexually active and satisfied narrows from OR = 0.64 [0.57-0.72] after adjusting for age to OR = 0.76 [0.67-0.87] after further adjustments for partnership status, health, and sociodemographics.

CONCLUSION: This study enhances population-level indicators of sexual health by broadening the understanding of sexuality beyond partnered behaviors. It reveals significant gender differences in sexual experiences throughout the life course, which lessen when considering sexual quality.

PMID:42692999 | DOI:10.1111/psrh.70076

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