Normal Changes in Response with Aging

Sexual activity can continue throughout one’s lifetime, and one’s later years can offer a rich sex life without the worry of pregnancy and effective contraception. However, the risk of sexually transmitted infections is still present for older adults.

The aging process does affect sexual responses and function, the response cycle slows down somewhat, responses within phases take longer, genitalia are somewhat less sensitive, and excitement and orgasmic sensations are diminished yet pleasurable. The following effects are common in older adults.

Women

Changes in the Excitement stage:

• Decreased libido following menopause
• Delayed nipple erection
• Reduced labial separation; labial swelling; vaginal changes (e.g., vaginal expansion)
• Delayed and less lubrication
• Decreased elevation of the uterus
• Reduced muscle tension

Changes in the Orgasm stage:

• Women in their 30s and 40s may achieve orgasm more readily than younger women
• Reduced spread of sexual flush

Men

Changes in the Excitement stage:

• Delayed and less-firm erection
• Delayed nipple erection (but nipple erection lasts longer after orgasm)
• Longer excitement stage
• Decreased preejaculatory emissions
• Longer interval to ejaculation
• More direct stimulation required to achieve and maintain erection
• Reduced muscle tension
• Diminished lifting of scrotum and testes with more rapid return to prearousal state

Changes in the Orgasm stage:

• Shorter ejaculation time, with reduced volume, fewer ejaculatory contractions
• Shortened phase of impending orgasm and expulsion of semen

Changes in the Resolution stage:

• More rapid loss of erection
• Longer refractory period

© 2007 EngenderHealth