IT is no secret that a man’s sexual function declines with age. As his testosterone level falls, it takes more to arouse him. Once aroused, he takes longer to get an erection and to achieve orgasm and, following orgasm, to become aroused again.
Age brings marked declines in semen volume and sperm quality. Erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, is clearly linked to advancing years; studies show that between the ages of 40 and 70, the percentage of potent men falls from 60 per cent to roughly 30per cent.
Men also experience a gradual decline in urinary function. A man’s urine stream weakens over time as a consequence of weakened bladder muscles and, in many cases, prostate enlargement.
Recent research confirms the penis itself undergoes significant changes as a man moves from his sexual prime; around age 30 for most men into middle age and on to older age. These changes include:
Penis size: Weight gain is common as men grow older. As fat accumulates on the lower abdomen, the apparent size of the penis changes. A large pre-pubic fat pad makes the penile shaft look shorter.
Sensitivity: Studies have shown that the penis becomes less sensitive over time. This can make it hard to achieve an erection and to have an orgasm. Whether it renders orgasm less pleasurable is still an open question.
A recent study shows significant decline in erectile function, libido, and ejaculatory function in the men studied but only moderate decreases in sexual satisfaction. The study’s authors concluded that, “Older men may be less likely to perceive these declines as a problem and be dissatisfied. Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego and editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, says, “The most important ingredient for a satisfying sex life is the ability to satisfy your partner. And that doesn’t require peak sexual performance or a big penis.”
Appearance: There are two major changes. The head of the penis (glans) gradually loses its colour, the result of reduced blood flow. And there is a slow loss of pubic hair. “As testosterone wanes, the penis gradually reverts to its pre-pubertal, mostly hairless, state,” says Goldstein,
In some cases, abdominal fat also buries the penis,” says Ronald Tamler, MD, PhD, co-director of the Men’s Health Programme at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “One way I motivate my overweight patients is by telling to simply lose weight.”
In addition to this apparent shrinkage, the penis tends to undergo an actual reduction in size. The reduction; in both length and thickness; typically is not dramatic but may be noticeable. If a man’s erect penis is six inches long when he is in his 30s, it might be five or five-and-a-half inches when he reaches his 60’s or 70’s,” Goldstein says.
What causes the penis to shrink? At least two mechanisms are involved. One is the slow deposit of fatty substances (plaques) inside tiny arteries in the penis, which impairs blood flow to the organ. This process is known as atherosclerosis. This also contributes to blockages inside the coronary arteries; which is also a leading cause of heart attack.
As penis size changes, so does the size of the testicles. “Starting around age 40, the testicles definitely begin to shrink,” Goldstein says. The testicles of a 30-year-old man might measure three centimeters in diameter, he says; those of a 60-year-old, perhaps measures only two centimetres.
Curvature: If penile scar tissue accumulates unevenly, the penis can become curved. This condition, known as Peyronie’s disease, occurs most commonly in middle age. It can cause painful erections and make intercourse difficult. The condition may require surgery.
Additional Information from Menshealth
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