The Aging Penis and its Impact on Sexual Health

When a guy is in his prime of life, it’s hard to even imagine that a day could come when his interest in sex might have died down. Young guys feel "up and at ‘em" on what seems like a 24-hour-a-day basis. But what about when they get older? Society’s perception of older men tends to be one of guys who have much less sexual desire than they used to; worse, the stereotype is that even when they do feet hot and bothered, they often can’t attain the erectile status that they need to satisfy the desire. But is there a basis for this view? Can keeping an eye on proper care have an impact on a man’s aging penis?

Research

A 2009 article from the Journal of Sex Research provides a good starting point for looking into this issue. The article states that "biological factors have an indisputable effect on sexual activity among the elderly, but they do not directly determine it." Yes, aging does have a direct impact on the physical functioning of the male sexual apparatus, and other indirect health factors, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which may increase in prevalence among an aging population, can also play a big role.

With information drawn from two national sex surveys from Finland in the 1990s, the study found that aging men had more sex than aging women and that sexual activity among aging men depended largely on an individual’s sexual self-esteem, good health and an active sexual history. In other words, those who took care of themselves physically, had a good opinion of their general sexual ability and had been sexually active earlier in life generally continued to be more sexually active later in life.

More recent research

A 2016 study ("Sexual Quality of Life and Aging: A Prospective Study of a Nationally Representative Sample") looked at this perceived problem and came up with a different point of view. Analyzing data from more than 6200 men and women from the Midlife in the United State study, the scientists sought to include aging with such sexual factors as frequency, number of sexual partners, etc. When incorporating all of these factors, aging went from being negatively correlated with sexual quality of life to being positively correlated with it. It was felt that the sexual quality of life of older adults (both male and female) was affected more by the quality rather than the quantity of sexual activity. In other words, aging brought with it a kind of sexual wisdom in which sexual satisfaction had a changing definition for the participants.

More recently, a 2018 article looked at the sex lives of elderly men and women in Europe. "Seventy-Five Years Old and Still Going Strong: Stability and Change in Sexual Interest and Sexual Enjoyment in Elderly Men and Women Across Europe" examined about 3800 people in Denmark, Norway, Belgium and Portugal. It concluded that "good health, an active sex life throughout the lifespan, direction of relationship, and feeling emotionally close to partner during sex" were the major factors for sexual satisfaction among the aging set.

All these studies indicate that, while there may be some changes as one ages, it is quite possible to have a satisfying sex life in the later years.

One common factor is the state of one’s penis health, so men should really consistently make use of a top drawer penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The most sought-after cremes will include a wide range of healthy, beneficial vitamins, including A, B5, C, D and E, the topical application of which can more directly target the penis. Also desirable in a crème is L-arginine, which helps boost nitric oxide production and thereby aids in keeping penile blood vessels open for increased blood volume.

Sexual Aging - Sexuality Issues in the Golden Years

How old is too old to have sex?
 
Happily, the answer to that question is "never." While the young may have a hard time imagining themselves - or anyone else - getting their geriatric jollies, there is no age cut off for between-the-sheets action. That being said, men who wish to enjoy a lengthy sex life, certainly need to engage in persistent, careful penis care.
 
How sex changes as a man’s body ages
 
Have no fear, there are plenty of men and women alike who feel frisky well into their 70’s, 80’s and beyond. In some ways, good sex is a state of mind. Men of any age who believe they are too old to get it up may just be unable to do so; whereas, men who believe in their erections may be ever ready - so long as they are physically healthy. One thing to keep in mind is that the quality and duration of a sexual encounter will change over time. That rock hard erection a man enjoyed in his 20’s may be slightly softer and less upright than before - but it can still get the job done. As a man ages he may not go from 0 to 60 with the same speed as before, but some careful foreplay can still get his engine revving. The key to successful sex with an aging penis is patience and persistence.

It is important to be aware that the incidence of erectile dysfunction does increase as a man ages, which is no big surprise. However, there are several interventions a man can try to perk up his pecker.

How sex changes as a woman’s body ages
 
The biggest problem a woman may have in a mature sex life is with lubrication. Postmenopausal women do not have the same amounts of estrogen as younger women; this causes a drastic decrease in the body’s natural lubrication. Thus, even if the mind is willing, the female body may be resistant to penetration simply as a result of hormonal changes. Vaginal dryness can cause sex to be uncomfortable and in some cases lead to tearing and bleeding - and that is not a fun way to spend an evening!

The best thing for a woman and her partner to do is lubricate, lubricate, lubricate. Taking plenty of care to warm up all the parts before they are called to duty, and using a healthy dose of lubricant can go a long way in helping a woman enjoy a sexual encounter.

When sex is off the table
 
There are certain conditions of aging which may make sex extremely difficult, or out of the question altogether. Even if a doctor has put the kibosh on doing the deed because of a medical condition such as a heart or circulation disease, hypertension, or other physical complication, there are other ways for an older couple to share love and intimacy. Partners who are unable to have sex can still enjoy a physical relationship filled with hugging, kissing, spooning, and manual or oral stimulation. As long as both partners are willing and healthy - they can find a way to physically express their love in the relationship.

Keeping the penis healthy
 
Of course, in order for one to enjoy a fruitful sex life for many years to come, it is important to engage in preventative measures to keep the penis youthful and healthy. General physical health is a key component to a good sex life, as one of the primary reasons for a poor sex life is poor physical health. Engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise, eating right, and not smoking are all important to keeping one’s manhood in good working order. Using a daily penis vitamin formula packed with vitamins and minerals (most professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can also help keep the penis ready and willing. A penis vitamin formula can help enhance penis sensitivity, making sex more enjoyable, while also boosting oxygen flow to the area and helping prevent symptoms of an aging penis.