Objective: To assess the sexual interest and functioning of 60-80 year old women with mild to moderate hypertension. To determine the effect of partner variables on the women's sexual behavior as well as to compare quality of life variables in women, stratified by age, who are sexually abstinent versus sexually active. Study design: Only women with partners (N = 142) who were participating in a large multicenter hypertension study constituted the study population: 85 (61%) were sexually active, and 55 (39%) were sexually abstinent. Respondents filled out a number of quality of life questionnaires and a specially designed sexuality questionnaire. Results: The sexually active women were somewhat younger, had higher household incomes, and reported higher ratings of subjective sexual interest than did the abstinent women. For sexually abstinent women, two major factors accounted for the level of sexual activity: their partner's level of sexual desire and his health. When the sample was divided into younger elderly (age 69 or below) and older elderly (70 or above), the percentage of women displaying moderate or high sexual interest was similar (76% and 65%, respectively). Difficulty achieving lubrication and lack of vaginal lubrication were the two most common sexual complaints. Scores on quality of life measures did not differ significantly between the sexually abstinent and active groups at baseline. Conclusions: Despite the amount of sexual activity, respondents indicated moderate or high satisfaction with their sexual life. There is a group of elderly women who maintain active sexual interest throughout old age.