A US study has shown that what goes on under the sheets for the over 65’s is a lot more important than you might think. 

Scientists conducting the research say you are much more likely to enjoy your twilight years if you make love frequently.

The study found that frequency of sexual activity was significantly linked to general and marital happiness.

Of those aged over 65, almost 80 per cent who had sex more than once a month were ‘’very happy’’ with their life in general.

This compared with just 59 per cent who reported no sexual activity in the past 12 months and 40 per cent who had been celibate for over a year, according to the findings presented at an ageing conference in Boston.

Professor Adrienne Jackson, of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, said: ‘’This study will help open the lines of communication and spark interest in developing “outside the box” approaches to dealing with resolvable issues that limit or prevent older adults from participating in sexual

‘‘Highlighting the relationship between sex and happiness will help us in developing and organising specific sexual health interventions for this growing segment of our population.’’

Based on a social survey of 238 married people aged 65 or older in the US, she discovered frequency of sexual activity was significantly linked to both general and marital happiness.

The association remained after accounting for factors such as age, gender, health status and satisfaction with financial situation.

The respondents were asked about the frequency of their sexual activity during the past 12 months and also invited to assess their general and marital happiness by describing themselves as ‘’very happy’’, ‘’pretty happy’’, or ‘’not too happy’’ in answer to each question.