13.6: Age Changes in Male Sexual Activity
- Page ID
- 84097
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Significant age-related alterations occur in the functioning of the male reproductive system during sexual activity. Some of these changes seem to be due to age changes within the reproductive structures. For example, alterations in erection seem to be due in part to an increase in fibrous material in the penis. However, many age-related changes seem to be due to age changes in other systems, abnormal and disease conditions, or other age-related factors. Let us consider five examples.
First, since much of the functioning during sexual activity depends on conscious sensations and reflexive actions, some age-related changes probably derive from age-related changes in the nervous system.
Second, since several events in male sexual activity (e.g., erection, scrotal tensing, testes enlargement) depend on substantial increases in blood flow to reproductive structures, some age-related changes seem to be due largely to age changes in arteries, atherosclerosis, and other age-related conditions that reduce the ability of the circulatory system to quickly increase blood flow to structures.
Third, advancing age is accompanied by increased use of medications, many of which adversely affect sexual functioning. Some medications for high blood pressure reduce erectile ability and the intensity of erection, many medications that regulate nervous system functioning (e.g., sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants) suppress erection and ejaculation, and certain hormones (e.g., ACTH) and drugs decrease blood levels of testosterone. In this case, deterioration of sexual activity occurs because the maintenance and function of reproductive structures require sustaining adequately high levels of testosterone.
Fourth, declining sexual performance by the reproductive system seems to be directly correlated with declining frequency of use, which occurs in many aging men.
Fifth, since sexual activity is highly influenced by psychological factors, some changes in sexual activity may result from age-related psychological changes such as a deteriorating self-image. These changes may result from age-related social or economic changes such as institutionalization, retirement, and loss of income.
These and other factors that seem to affect male sexual activity are discussed in the section on impotence, below.
Excitement Phase
Alterations in erection of the penis are perhaps the most noticeable age-related changes in the excitement phase. Major reasons for these changes include diminishing penile sensitivity to touch, increasing amounts of fibrous material in the penis, alterations (e.g., stiffening, narrowing) of arteries leading to and through the penis, and increased leakage of blood through veins that drain the penis.
Plateau Phase
Since the plateau phase consists largely of a heightening of the excitement phase, age-related changes in these phases are similar. Though most age-related changes in the plateau phase may be of little consequence, three of them seem to be significant. One is a more frequent inability to reestablish erection if it is lost because of decreased stimulation or distraction. The effect is entry into a refractory period without having achieved ejaculation. Such occurrences may be considered unsatisfactory attempts at sexual activity.
A second change, which is often considered desirable, is an increasing ability to delay ejaculation and prolong the plateau phase. By so doing, a man can extend his sexually aroused state and the duration of sexual intercourse and therefore may provide more stimulation for his female partner. As a result, the woman is more likely to achieve sexual satisfaction by attaining orgasm before the man ejaculates and loses his erection.
Third, the strength of contractions in the seminal vesicles and prostate and the amount of fluid forced into the ejaculatory ducts and urethra often become inadequate to initiate the sensation of imminent ejaculation. Therefore, ejaculation may begin with no warning sensations. By contrast, occasionally the perception of imminent ejaculation develops and lasts several seconds but is not followed by ejaculation. Both situations may diminish physical pleasure during the transition from the plateau phase to the orgasmic phase.
Orgasmic Phase
As the number and strength of ejaculatory contractions diminish, the duration of ejaculation becomes shorter. These changes may result from altered reflex functioning and the decline in the quantity of semen released. They are accompanied by a diminishing intensity of the pleasant sensations associated with ejaculation.
Refractory Period
The refractory period may last only a few minutes in young men. With advancing age, it may last from many minutes to several days.
In summary, as age increases, the activities and alterations in the male reproductive system that occur during sexual activity generally take longer to develop, reach lower peak levels, and return to resting conditions more rapidly. More time must pass before the next cycle of sexual activity can occur. However, the male reproductive system largely retains the ability to provide satisfactory sexual experiences.