According to statistics, fertility in men lasts longer than in women. At least a quarter of male representatives over 65 years of age did not experience a reduction in potency. The decline in libido after the age of 40 is more related to the occurrence of comorbidities affecting overall health, as well as to social causes. Social perceptions of older adults' asexuality and cultural taboos also play a role in this process.
Seven years of human age
From the age of 20, levels of testosterone, the main "male" hormone, begin to gradually decrease in a man's body. This can manifest in the form of decreased sex drive, impaired ability and ability to get an erection.
Conditionally it is possible to distinguish 7 periods in the life of each representative of the stronger sex:
| Life time, years | Average number of orgasms per week | Features of the period |
|---|---|---|
| 15-20 | 3 | This is when testosterone levels peak. After ejaculation, there is a quick recovery of strength |
| 20-30 | 3 | Testosterone levels are roughly the same, but the frequency of orgasms can depend on factors such as the presence of a long-term partner. A man becomes more restrained and can control the timing of sex |
| 30-40 | Less than 3 | Testosterone levels drop 1% per year |
| 40-50 | 2 | Many men control themselves in bed, and therefore at this age they become skillful lovers. |
| 50-60 | 1, 75 | No more than 7% of men lose their potency completely, most can satisfy their partner in other ways |
| 60-70 | one | The number of sexual acts decreased mainly because the man himself decided to refuse them. Erectile dysfunction affects about 20%, but some can have sex up to 2 times a day |
| 70-80 | Less than 1 | In most men, there is a significant decline in health during this period, resulting in a decrease in sexual activity. About 70% can have sex without using stimulants |
The process of male sexual dysfunction due to age is completely different from that of women, and their ability to have children is not limited by any time frame, as occurs in the post-menopausal period. Sperm production decreases after 40 years, but even after the age of 80, a man can still maintain potency.
According to statistics, in most men, the synthesis of testosterone plummets starting at the age of 55-60. This stage can be considered the "precondition", after which the ordinary man begins to have problems with potency.
Change of age
In men over 55 years of age, the following changes in sex life are noted:
- About 5% of men have symptoms similar to menopause in women: general weakness, fatigue, complete loss of sex drive to impotence, irritability, poor concentration. These phenomena are associated with a decrease in the production of sex hormones.
- It takes longer to achieve an erection and stronger penile stimulation (in 70% of men).
- The degree of erection decreased (in 66%).
- Testicles protrude at the perineum only half as much and more slowly than when they were young.
- Reduced semen volume.
- The need for sex decreases, the time between ejaculations is prolonged.
- During stimulation, muscle tone decreases, which is also characteristic of the body as a whole.
- For many men, sex does not end but ejaculation (62%), leading to psychological problems, as the partner begins to doubt the man's abilities.
- Before intercourse, the erection becomes incomplete. The lower cavernous body and the head of the penis are less stretched than in childhood. The flaccid glans is a kind of protective mechanism that helps to avoid damage to the female genital organs due to their reduced elasticity.
Sperm quality also declines, the risk of random gene mutations in sperm increases, when pregnant women will give birth to children with autism, schizophrenia and other pathologies.
According to medical research in couples undergoing IVF, after the age of 50, the probability of conception decreases by 11% per year.
Some men who are unaware of the general and age-related sexual changes develop sexual anxiety. According to statistics, 44% of men for this reason have difficulties in communicating with their partners.
The following somatic diseases most significantly affect the ability to maintain potency in men:
- hypertension (29% of patients);
- other cardiovascular diseases (55% of cases);
- obesity (24%);
- Diabetes;
- chronic inflammation of the joints, rheumatoid arthritis;
- The hit;
- malignant tumors;
- kidney disease;
- spinal cord injury;
- sexually transmitted infections (the spread of these conditions is because men do not consider it necessary to use condoms because they reduce the risk of pregnancy in their partners).
Drugs used in the treatment of some of the conditions mentioned above (arthritis, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases) have an adverse effect on sexual function. According to studies, about 40% of patients complain of a decrease in potency as a side effect of the drug.
At this age, prostate surgery is also common, leading to loss of erection and ejaculation. However, when using rehabilitative procedures, such patients can recover full sexual function.
Older people are afraid to go to the doctor about sexual problems, because society has the opinion that sex at the age of 60 is inappropriate, even shameful. However, regular sexual activity during this stage of life offers health benefits:
- improves the work of the cardiovascular system;
- pain relief sensitivity;
- improves skeletal muscle tone;
- increased self-esteem;
- anxiety levels decrease.
There is a relationship between increased life expectancy in centenarians and sexual activity.
Is there a limit to male sex?
The world's oldest father, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is Indian Ramajit Raghav, who conceived a child at the age of 96. However, in modern society there is a stereotype that sexual pleasure is the norm only for the younger generation.
Studies conducted in 1995 in 106 countries showed that 70% of men remained sexually active into old age. Men and women over 60 experience romantic and sexual feelings in the same way as in their youth, but try to repress them, following the lead of society.
Available statistics collected in the United States and European countries confirm the likelihood of a fulfilling sex life among older adults:
- 75% of men have regular sexual health check-ups;
- between the ages of 65-97, 52% of men have sex on average 2. 5 times a month;
- most of them want to do it 2 times more often;
- 80% of men have orgasms;
- 16% of respondents have sex more than once a week;
- 9 out of 10 sexually active people find their partner attractive;
- 2/3 of married couples continue to experiment in sex;
- men over 65 masturbate an average of 5 times a month;
- less than 60% of men over 80 have no sexual partners;
- 11% of respondents are still sexually active at the age of 90-95.
So there is no hard age limit for men in terms of maintaining potency. Sexual norms are individual and more dependent on general physical condition in old age.
Recommendations to maintain sexual longevity
To maintain good potency until old age, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Have a regular sex life. This is the main element of male sexuality.
- Follow proper nutrition, use foods that stimulate erection: green vegetables (parsley, dill, celery), honey, pomegranate, fish and others.
- Quit alcohol and tobacco. It is scientifically proven that bad habits reduce potency in men.
- Promote general physical health, lead an active lifestyle. Muscles in general improve blood circulation, including in the genitals. At the same time, heavy exertion should be avoided, leading to exhaustion and impaired potency.