Normal Changes Men Over 50 Should Expect When They Get An Erection

Although men don't experience the drastic hormonal changes of menopause, their levels of testosterone begin to gradually decline around age 40. They might not notice lower levels of testosterone because many don't have symptoms. However, low levels of testosterone might show up as lower sexual desire, low bone mineral density, and hot flashes.

A decline in testosterone levels could also affect erections, said Dr. Justin Houman, a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained Men's Sexual and Reproductive Health specialist, in an interview with Health Digest. "One of the most common changes is the time it takes to achieve an erection — it may take longer for sexual arousal to turn into a full erection," he said. "Additionally, the erections themselves might not be as firm as they once were, and spontaneous erections (like those in the morning) may become less frequent."

Houman says these changes are completely normal in men. These changes in erection are also caused by a decrease in blood flow to the penis, but it doesn't necessarily mean you have erectile dysfunction (ED).

You might not notice these age-related changes at first, but they could raise some fears that might have you reaching for Viagra. "The key difference between normal age-related changes and erectile dysfunction is consistency and severity," Houman said. "If erections are still achievable, though they may take longer or be slightly weaker, this is a normal part of aging." You might also notice it takes a little longer for you to get another erection after an orgasm.

Houman says ED is more persistent. "If you're unable to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse on most occasions, that's when it falls under erectile dysfunction," he said. You might need to check with your doctor to see if you have vascular disease or hormonal imbalances, especially when these symptoms suddenly appear. Remember that ED might be a symptom of a chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes, a sleep disorder, or Parkinson's disease.

While women can no longer become pregnant after menopause, men can still father children despite their age. However, their sperm production begins to slow, meaning it might be more difficult for them to father children because there is less sperm in the semen. Your testicles might also shrink due to the decline in sperm production. Your penis also changes with age. The shaft of the penis may develop scar tissue due to sexual activity, causing the penis to bend during an erection. This curable condition is known as Peyronie's disease.

The prostate gland, which plays a role in producing semen, becomes larger around age 40 and continues to grow as you age. If the prostate becomes large enough, it might press against your urethra, causing benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate or BPH. BPH can make it more difficult or painful to pee. Men with BPH might also find ejaculation painful. However, symptoms of BPH are similar to prostate cancer, so you should see your doctor if you're experiencing urinary symptoms.