Do men slow down sexually after the age of 40?

Question

I'm just curious because my boyfriend (who is 47) says that at his age, it's common for men to lose some interest in sex, and that the "male machinery" doesn't respond as quickly as it did when he was younger.

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Absolutely! I have referred to this 'phenomena' in several recent posts.

Finally, their willie no longer stands erect at the centre of the universe. A belated and welcome change. I would say that at around age 50 it becomes most apparent; they are no longer up to 'performing' as they did in years past.

Then Phizer developed Viagra...

edit:
Here is some information about the target market and marketing strategy of Viagra's competitor, Cialis:

"Men ages 50 and older are increasingly likely to experience ED, therefor they make up our primary target market. Patients can be 50-59 age group or Retired (60+) age group: ED is prevalent amongst the 50-59 & 60+ age group and while these age groups may think that ED is a normal part of aging, Cialis could market the drug as providing the two age groups with the opportunity to rejuvenate their sexual potency and perhaps improve self confidence.

Strength: Majority of patients are 50+; appeal to patients as a way to become young again. (pg 18, exhibit 5). Income of 50+ is higher and thus these age groups can more easily afford Cialis."

Answer 2

Men at that age slow down, period.
There are men able to keep up with younger lovers even later in life, and men able to stay young and active in every other aspect of life, but physical decline starts after the 30s. Muscles begin losing strengh, if not exercizes, mind begins using less details and more the experience to make subconsciously up for the loss of accuracy (but well), even blood circulation begins suffering the excesses of the young age.
Sexual drive too is affected. Less blood may bring to some unexpected failures, and when one was "a stud", then he finds much older, he feels deprived and demotivated, the ormonal balance changes a little bit... but are the mechanical troubles that matters more. Viagra is more a psychological aphrodisiac than a real one, for example. The role of "pills" is only achieving erection as fast as someone used to. Then, he feels "young again" and ready to use the machinery.
Growing old means being less secure... if you'll manage to make him feel young again, he will be

Answer 3

Dang, and there I was, thinking men get better with age like fine wine LOL. It's one thing to not respond as quickly and having to put more work into it, but another to only respond every other week. Exactly at what age does this problem start?


If that's the case, how do old men keep younger women? Btw, my grandpa was 77 and his wife was 37 and I heard that they had a "lively" sex life. And I know some men in their 20's and 30s not being able to do much, while some are still going strong in their 40s...so not sure about the age thing....

EDIT:

OK the physical explanation makes sense...but I thought it was in the mid 50's or more like the 60s this started...40 is just too early :(

Answer 4

I am sorry you experienced that. Trust me though, not all men are jerks. I'm 18 but I have 7 older brothers. They are all great men. Really. They have good hearts and are very intelligent. But they sometimes act like idiots. Nothing as extreme as what you have described though. Hell, if they had seen something like that happen to any female, I'm positive that there would have been punches thrown. Some men though, are jerks. My ex punched me one night. I broke his nose and keyed his vintage mustang. When my brothers found out though, they visited him. I'm not sure what they did or said, but his arm was in a cast and so was his leg next time I saw him. He apologized and said he would never bother me again. Lol. The point is, my brothers would do that for any female. And there are plenty of men out there who are a lot like my brothers. Good, decent, strong MEN. You have to give them a chance is all. You said you just moved. Start over. If you aren't ready for a relationship, don't feel pressured to have one. If you still feel angry towards men, try making friends with one. Without any type of bf/gf pressures. Unfortunately, guys in high school aren't really the best guys to base opinions of men on. Or ty counseling. It sounds worse then it is. And ask your mom not to say such degrading things about the opposite sex. Tell her that you would like to make your own opinions about them. I wish you the best of luck!!! I really do!!!

Answer 5

I have read that men have a lower response to sexual stimulation as they get older. I believe this means that it takes longer to be aroused and to have an orgasm.

A decrease in sensitivity and faster fatigue in time are the main reasons for lower sexual response in men. And why the refractory period between orgasms for men becomes longer.

If your boyfriend is healthy it just may take a little time for him to be aroused and ready for you. You may want to give him direct stimulation early on. I don't have the experience to really give you suggestions though. I'm sorry.

But if there is more than that going on and there are difficulties than it may not be age but a symptom of an underlying health condition or a side effect of some medications.

Hormonal changes may be a factor in lower sexual desire though that is not the full explaination. Most men's hormone levels do not significantly drop before 50 at an average with a range of a few years (kinda like menopause). A total loss of sexual desire is most often a result of health problems or depression and anxiety and stress.

Answer 6

The body is weak, but the mind is willing! LOL

Let me clarify something here. Losing interest, is not the same as having diminished capacity. Interest is related to one's thinking, and should not be confused with physical performance. If there is a loss of desire, there is something psychological at work there. The person can become depressed from not being able to perform, which only further complicates the issue. However, if there is not even a desire to discuss sex and means available to remedy the situation, a separate issue of depression is likely at work there and should be addressed. And it's something entirely different if he's making comments about not finding you sexually attractive (which I know not to be the case at all). There's much more to this than has been revealed here. Either he wants to have sex and can't, or he doesn't. If he doesn't want to have sex, he has a deeper problem (and nothing to do with you). If he wants to have sex, but is maybe feeling insecure about his diminished ability to become physically aroused or endurance once achieved, there are too many medical treatments available to not do so. Unless the cost of treatment (which isn't cheap) is an issue. Then the discussion changes to how important it is to the both of you. Which by the very fact that you're writing here, says that it's important to you.

Depending on the quality of responses you get here, you might want to consider asking this elsewhere (hint), and asking others to join there instead. That's up to you. It is a relationship issue.

Shingoshi Dao
2007.Nov.21 Wed, 21:30 --800 (PST)

Answer 7

OK so at 40 we don't get an erection on the bus while looking at a good looking girl like we did in our teens. If that means the reaction has slowed then I'm all for not being embarrassed. Otherwise I haven't slowed nor do I want to.

Sometimes it's used as an excuse by some men who may not be as stimulated by their partners as they used to. Men are very visual by nature and I don't know many who are aroused by say, slippers and flannelette nightie on someone that is more than a few pounds over healthy.

Not blaming all the women.. sometimes yes it's true if the male has neglected his health and fitness and has let himself get overweight and unfit... well that's not all that gets unfit if you get my meaning.

Thankfully both of those situations are reversible by a bit of attention to diet and exercise (of all types!)

Answer 8

I think that is not true with the majority of men. I think that his "machinery" needs some fixing and maybe you could help, who knows?
A 47 years old man is just a "baby".

Answer 9

I was dating men in their 40's the last few years, and they were doing very well, every day some of them, lol. So it depends on the man and the woman. If you're out of shape, sex definitely can be affected in your 40's and even your 30's. Guys in their 50's can have problems with high blood pressure, which affects blood flow, if you know what I mean, and the medications have known side-effects that effect your sex life. So staying in shape and using your equipment regularly are the best medical advice I've seen for both men and women in their 40's and on. I'm 49 and my boyfriend is 51, and I have no complaints. lol

Answer 10

Yeah, that's true enough. The actual slowdown is highly peculiar to the individual, though.

A guy with a ridiculous libido at 15 ('need it seven times a day') might drop down to 'need it about twice a year' over the course of a mere quarter century. That's a precipitous drop for that individual, and it HAS TO work a number on his head. Another guy at 15 'couple times a week is okay' might drop down to 'six or seven nights a month is enough' over the same period. Not so much of a drop, and not much stress over 'loss of virility.' Plug in the values, and calculate your man's 'virility concern number.'

The range of variation is HUGE. Those round things in a man's scrotum are, like, DICE, you know? You can't even guess at what your future sexual wants will be.

Your b/f is correct, and probably in the middle of the bell curve. Most men are.

So he has no excuse for not engaging in LONG kissing sessions and HOURS of petting.



ADDENDUM

For the record: I'm sixty, and perfectly capable of going all day without sex. On the other hand, if a trio of girls shows up eager for sex, I'll be able to accommodate them all, but no more than twice each. And I'll be completely out of service for at least six hours thereafter.

Answer 11

About 45 was when I saw some loss in my sexual appetite. However my thinking seems to be stuck around the 30 years.

I'm 71 now and waiting patiently for it all to come back. Well if it does it won't matter cause I will have forgotten why I am undressed. lol