Sex and Aging > Natural Changes in Men
- Overcoming harmful attitudes
- Natural changes in women
- Natural changes in men
- Tips for better sex in later life
What are erectile difficulties?
As men age the ability to achieve an erection is affected. An erection will take longer to achieve, and will not be as firm as in youth. Some may find it difficult to achieve an erection at all. The causes of erectile difficulties can be either psychological or physiological, with psychological causes thought to be most prevalent. The anxiety and pressure that a man might face as his body changes, may act as a catalyst for erectile difficulties. Achieving an erection becomes a process of prolonged stimulation and intimacy. It may take more vigorous manual or oral stimulation for men to get firm. Some couples find it helpful to place the flaccid penis inside the vagina as a means of stimulation. Experimenting with different forms of stimulation will increase sexual satisfaction while it helps the male to achieve an erection.
What is impotence?
Impotence is the inability to have an erection. The causes of impotence are most often psychological, although some physical ailments may contribute to erectile failure. (For a more detailed description of the causes of erectile failure, please look in our section on sexual problems.) The prospect of impotence can scare many men away from sexual intimacy, but learning how to cope with you or your partner's decreased potency can be an effective way in restoring his confidence and interest in sex.
Impotence is a condition which will affect virtually every man in his lifetime. It can be embarrassing and discouraging but it is usually temporary. Impotence normally becomes a major problem when the man feels that it is. In other words, when a man puts unnecessary pressure upon himself to perform, he usually becomes more frustrated and less able to perform. If impotence is a problem between you and your partner, there are many techniques which you can try before you go see a doctor or sex therapist.
What can be done about erectile failure?
Relearning How to Stimulate
The stimulation felt by the male decreases during the aging process, therefore it may take more stimulation to create an erection. Oral or manual stimulation of his penis may be required to achieve an erection. Some men find that the only thing that will give them an erection is oral stimulation. Not only the type but the amount of stimulation may have to change as well. Some men will require almost constant stimulation of the penis to achieve an erection. If your partner finds this to be a difficult task, a vibrator could be used to give him/her a rest. Lastly, avoid pulling too aggressively on the penis, as this tends to encourage blood flow toward the body. Squeezing the tip or shaft of the penis too tightly may also reduce turgidity. While oral and manual stimulation are an effective means of attaining erection for most men, it does not work for everyone. Vaginal intercourse is the preferred method of many men. Often what works best for some couples is that the man places his flaccid penis in the woman's vagina. Then she begins to flex the vaginal muscles near the opening which can assist erection.Reducing Stress
The most important aspect in combating impotence is to ensure that the man is comfortable. The pressure to perform can be the cause of impotence. If the man feels that he is under a lot of stress, he may have difficulty achieving erection. If the man feels relaxed then he will be more easily able to become erect.Sexual Products
Products have been developed to help men with erectile problems. One such product is a Penis Ring. Available in most sex boutiques and through mail order catalogs, the Penis Ring is an elastic rubber ring that slips over the man's partially erect penis and does not allow blood to leave. This maintains the erection. Often these penis rings have some form of stimulator attached to them so that the person being penetrated gains additional stimulation. Another product which you may wish to inquire about is the Prosthetic Penis Attachment (P.P.A.) This is a sleeve which fits over the partially erect penis to allow penetration to continue. They are usually attached with an elastic cord. P.P.A. are carried by many sex boutiques and mail order services.Medical treatments
There are medications available which may be effective in assisting erection. The first step in seeking information on medical treatments is to see a urologist. If you do not know of one, contact your doctor for a referral.