Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson

While 71 percent of adults age 50-70 expect to have less sex as they age because of decreased desire and physical ability, the common perception that older men have more sex-related problems is incorrect, according to the "Sex, Menopause & Relationship" survey from Duramed Pharmaceuticals and conducted by Harris Interactive, MarketingCharts reports.

In fact, more women (67 percent) than men (59 percent) actually report experiencing symptoms that affect their ability to have sex. Women also are less prepared than men for the physical changes associated with menopause that could affect their sex lives. Fully 65 percent of women (compared with 51 percent of men) who experienced menopause-induced sexual symptoms report they did not anticipate such symptoms, the survey found.

"The survey reveals a knowledge gap about the challenges women and men experience as they age," said David B. Schwartz, MD, practicing Obstetrics & Gynecology at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. "The majority of people surveyed believe men are more likely to experience sexual symptoms than women. This may be due to the volume and ease of accessibility to information about erectile dysfunction. Conversely, most women face sexual symptoms as they go through menopause, with less information readily available to them."

More than half (55 percent) of respondents say sex is important to their overall relationship satisfaction, nearly half (47 percent) would prefer to have sex more often, and 83 percent of those who have sex at least once a month are satisfied with their relationships. However, nearly four in ten adults (38 percent) have avoided sex, made an excuse not to have sex or stopped having sex due to physical inability, physical discomfort, or pain with sex.

Reasons for sex-avoidance vary by gender. Women cite discomfort and pain as top reasons, while men avoid sex because of physical inability, according to Duramed and Harris.

MarketingCharts has some more findings from the survey.