As a guy, you understand that you may notice and accept thinning hair, a spare tire for a belly, and biceps that no longer bulge as you age. But then, the day comes when your man tool looks a little or maybe a lot different than he used to in his heyday. Wait a minute. That’s not supposed to happen, is it? Unfortunately, yes, your penis will also age over the decades.
Maybe not as dramatic as losing a headful of hair you had in your twenties, but a fairly significant change by the time a man reaches his 60s and beyond.
What are these changes, and more importantly, what does it mean for your sex life?
Changes in the penis are often very gradual but can manifest in the following ways:
- Penis size
Okay, the truth hurts, but yes, the penis will have some shrinkage. Although the amount is not dramatic, it can be noticeable as a man ages. As an example, a man who once enjoyed a 6-inch erection during his prime may have shrinkage of anywhere from ½ inch to 1 inch. One cause of shrinkage of the penis is a result of poor blood circulation. Fatty plaque can form inside the small arteries of the penis, leading to a smaller appearance. After age 40, even testicular size can reduce in the mass it once was.
Another factor making your penis appear smaller is if you have a large belly. Abdominal fat hides much of the shaft of a penis. Make Mr. Happy smile again by losing weight so he can show off better.
- Penis sensitivity
Every man, as he ages, will experience a drop in testosterone levels. When testosterone takes a nose dive, there can also be an accompanying drop in sensitivity, making it more difficult to reach an orgasm.
Another touchy subject men dread is the fact your erections will not be as rock hard as they were in the old days thanks again to low testosterone. When erections are achieved, they may take longer to become erect and often are not as firm as they were in your forties or younger. After age 50, you may notice it takes longer to achieve an erection, and your ability to raise the flag solely from sexual fantasies is not working like it used to. Direct fondling of the penis becomes necessary to get a rise out of it. And if there are any distractions, such as an ambulance siren or an alarm going off, your penis will likely decide he’s done playing by going soft.
- Low sex drive
You may think, “This will never happen to me.” But yes, it can, and it does to most men at some point in their life. Not that it is long-lived, but it can happen.
Low sex drive or libido is when a man may have a sexual response that is slower and less intense. One of the first things to check is your testosterone level. This all-important male hormone rules your sex drive, and you need a blood test done to see what the level is. Testosterone replacement therapy is the method for treating low T, which a doctor can give you advice on. Low libido can also be due to a psychological or social change due to aging, such as lack of a willing partner, illness, a chronic condition, or medications.
- Erectile dysfunction
No list of changes in the penis would be complete without addressing erectile dysfunction (ED). If you have already experienced ED, you are not alone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, as many as 52 percent of all men will experience ED. ED result from various intertwined causes, such as diabetes, alcohol, obesity, low testosterone, medications, anxiety, depression, heart disease, or prostate problems.
You may want to simply pop the little blue pill, but unless the underlying problem is addressed, you may never get satisfaction. Any man with ED should work with their doctor finding the cause to rule out any chronic condition psychologically and physiologically.
- Urinary function decline
Practically every man will have some kind of decline in urinary functioning, and it is most likely due to changes in his prostate. For example, the prostate gland will enlarge with age. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and affects about 50% of all men.
The most common symptoms or changes will be frequent nighttime urination, slowed urination, or difficulty starting a urine flow. Some preventative measures men can adopt to avoid significant urinary decline include maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, and practicing Kegel exercises for men.
In conclusion, aging by itself does not prevent a man from being able to enjoy sexual relationships. Sure, your penis will have some changes just like the rest of your body, but it doesn’t mean your sex life is over for good. In fact, for many men, the most important thing to have is a loving partner who accepts you as you are, whether your penis can still salute or not. It all is a matter of attitude and acceptance of a new phase of life.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.
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