Most women are able to have pleasurable sexual intercourse and to experience orgasm for their entire lives. Adult men also experience some changes in their sexuality, but not at such a predictable time as with menopause in women. Men s testicles slow testosterone production after age 25 or so. Erections may occur more slowly once testosterone production slows. Men also become less able to have another erection after an orgasm and may take up to 24 hours to achieve and sustain another erection.
Some older men develop an enlarged or cancerous prostate gland.
If the doctors deem it necessary to remove the prostate gland, a man s ability to have an erection or an orgasm is normally unaffected. Recently, Viagra has become available to help older men achieve and maintain erections. Although adult men and women go through some sexual changes as they age, they do not lose their desire or their ability for sexual expression. Even among the very old, the need for touch and intimacy remains, although the desire and ability to have sexual intercourse may lessen. Adapted from Life Planning Education .