Changes in Sexual Arousal from Aging

Studies of the sexual responses of both older and younger men and women have found that:

• Heartbeat, breathing rate, and blood pressure change.
• The skin may flush.
• There are changes in the genitals and in some nongenital areas.
• Sexual arousal is different in older men and women than it is in younger people.

Age is only one factor in sexual response. For example, erectile dysfunction may be caused by diseases such as hardening of the arteries or diabetes. Sexual response in both men and women may be affected by the medicines they take. For example, medicines for mental health problems such as depression, or medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease can cause problems.

Nongenital Changes from Sexual Arousal in Older Women

These changes may include the following:

• The nipples of women under 50 become and stay firm. The breasts of women 51 to 60 swell less. The breasts of women over 60 seldom swell.
• The colored, circular area around the nipple swells, though less in older women than in younger women.
• A measles-like flush spreads over the upper chest, neck, and face in about half of women aged 41 to 50. This occurs in only a little over 10% of women aged 51 to 60.

Genital Responses from Sexual Arousal in Older Women

These responses may include the following:

• The vagina changes. The walls become thinner. The vagina also becomes shorter, narrower, and less able to expand during arousal and climax.
• Vaginal wetness usually takes 1 to 3 minutes in women over 40. It may take only 10 to 30 seconds for younger women.
• The uterus gets smaller due to less estrogen during menopause.
• The uterus does not enlarge as much during arousal in women over 40.
• Some women over age 60 have painful cramps during orgasm.

Even though it may take longer to be aroused, older women can have normal orgasms, especially if they have stayed sexually active.

Five to 10 years after menopause, some women may have problems with vaginal dryness. Those who do not have sex and do not masturbate may have trouble receiving a partner's penis unless they use a lubricant. Water-soluble lubricants, such as K-Y jelly, can help.

Many older women may be aroused by reading love stories, watching love affairs on TV, or watching videos. Other women fantasize about sex. These things may help them stay sexually responsive.

Nongenital Responses to Sexual Arousal in Older Men

Nongenital responses in men of all ages are usually slight. Nipples usually do not become erect in men after age 50. Skin flush, which is a sign of sexual arousal, is seen in only 5% of men over 50.

Genital Responses to Sexual Arousal in Older Men

These responses may include the following:

• Men under 40 are usually erect in 3 to 5 seconds. Those between ages 40 and 50 take 3 to 5 times longer. Older men keep their erections longer.
• Men over 60 have less rigid erections and have longer periods (12 to 24 hours or more) between erections.
• Older men take longer to ejaculate. They are also less aware that they are about to ejaculate. The ejaculation itself is not as forceful as that of younger men.

Touching and sharing help couples of any age to enjoy a satisfying sexual relationship.