Can Sexual Drive Decrease in Men with Age?
As men get older, the changes in their bodies and some health conditions can affect their ability to indulge in and enjoy sexual activity. As male sexual drive and physical health can differ from one man to another, there is no particular age at which most men give up on sexual intercourse.
However, several studies reveal that most men stop having sexual activity around 75-85 years of age. A study found that almost 40% of men between the ages of 75 and 85 years were still sexually active. There is also another interesting fact that most men who are sexually active seem to be happy with the quality of their sexual life.
Male libido and age
Libido tends to reduce with age in men. This mainly happens due to natural changes in the production of testosterone that occur as men get old. However, there are some other key factors which also contribute, including:
- Testosterone levels
- Medical problems
- Mental health
- Medicines
Let us quickly see how all these things work together against sexual drive in men:
Testosterone levels
Testosterone is responsible for the pitch of voice and the amount of muscle mass in men's bodies. It is most important for regulating sexual drive in men. However, as men age, it is normal for testosterone production to decline gradually.
Medical problems
As men age, it is natural for them to experience some medical conditions. With age, medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases become more common. All these medical ailments further have a negative effect on your libido and sexual performance.
Mental health
Your mental health is necessary because conditions like depression, stress, and anxiety often develop in middle age or as you get old. All these mental health conditions have a negative effect on your sexual desire.
Medicines
You should know some medicines to treat age-related problems, like blood pressure drugs or antidepressants. However, these medications might also affect your sexual drive.
It is always better to check the side effects of your medicines and ask the doctor about what libido problems you can experience.
How can men stay sexually active even after 50+ years?
However, it is normal to experience some degree of slowdown in sexual desire as men grow older and enter their 60s, 70s, and 80s. But this does not mean you will not be able to meet your sexual desires.
However, some ways can help you enjoy sexual relationships and stay active even in old age:
- Treat your medical conditions
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Prevent erectile dysfunction
Treat your medical conditions.
Several sexual performance problems that affect older men are either caused directly or worsened by chronic health problems such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Obesity and sleep apnea
Cardiovascular problems
If you suffer from a chronic disease that might affect your sexual function, make sure to consult a doctor and get the proper treatment.
As a man, you should always check for age-related problems, such as prostate cancer, if your age is between 59 and 70 years. Staying healthy means you can maintain a good sexual life and performance even in old age.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
As you grow old, staying sexually active is possible only when you maintain good physical health.
To enjoy a healthy sexual life in your 60s and 70s, you must exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, get good sleep, and avoid unhealthy habits such as alcohol consumption and smoking. All these things will have a positive impact on your sexual health.
Prevent erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can affect men of all ages but is more common in older men. It is believed that men in their 40s have almost 40% risk of developing erectile dysfunction, and this risk increases with each passing year.
Nowadays, there are several FDA-approved medicines which can help you to treat erectile dysfunction condition:
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
These PDE5 inhibitor medicines help to increase blood flow to the male sexual organs and allow you to achieve hard erections. However, before you start taking ED drugs, it is essential to consult a doctor first.
Summary
Therefore, it is normal to have less sexual intercourse as you age, but a positive mindset and a good lifestyle can help you to enjoy & maintain a healthy sexual life even in later stages of life.
