McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2

Studies of the sexual responses of both older and younger men and women have found that:

• Heartbeat, breathing rate, and blood pressure change.
• The skin may flush.
• There are changes in the genitals and in some nongenital areas.
• Sexual arousal is different in older men and women than it is in younger people.

Age is only one factor in sexual response. For example, problems with getting or keeping an erection may be caused by diseases such as hardening of the arteries. Decreased sexual response in both men and women is sometimes caused by medicines for high blood pressure, heart disease, or mental problems.

Nongenital Changes from Sexual Arousal in Older Women

These changes may include the following:

• The nipples of women under 50 become and stay firm. The breasts of women 51 to 60 swell less. The breasts of women over 60 seldom swell.
• The colored, circular area around the nipple swells, though less in older women than in younger women.
• A measles-like flush spreads over the upper chest, neck, and face in about half of women aged 41 to 50. This occurs in only a little over 10% of women aged 51 to 60.

Genital Responses from Sexual Arousal in Older Women

These responses may include the following:

• The clitoris, the small piece of tissue just above the vaginal opening, can become erect in women even in their 70s.
• Changes in the vagina include thinning of the walls and decreased length, width, and ability to expand during arousal and climax.
• Vaginal wetness usually takes 1 to 3 minutes in women over 40, compared to 10 to 30 seconds for younger women.
• The uterus becomes smaller as a result of less estrogen during menopause.
• The uterus does not enlarge as much during arousal in women over 40.
• Some women over age 60 have painful contractions during orgasm.

Despite the longer time needed for arousal, the pre- or postmenopausal woman can have normal orgasms, especially if she has remained sexually active.

Women 5 to 10 years after menopause who do not have sex and do not masturbate eventually have trouble receiving a partner's penis unless they use a lubricant. Several kinds of water-soluble lubricants, such as K-Y jelly, are available.

Many older women who choose not to have sex are aroused by such things as reading love stories, watching love affairs on TV, or viewing videos. Other women fantasize about sex. Such erotic stimulation may help them retain sexual response.

Older couples who caress without having intercourse still have physical sexual responses that those who choose to stay away from all forms of arousal do not have.

Nongenital Responses to Sexual Arousal in Older Men

Nongenital responses in men of all ages are usually slight. There is little or no nipple erection in men after age 50. Skin flush, which is a sign of sexual arousal, is seen in only 5% of men over 50.

Genital Responses to Sexual Arousal in Older Men

These responses may include the following:

• Men under 40 are usually erect in 3 to 5 seconds. Those between ages 40 and 50 take three to five times longer. Older men keep their erections longer.
• Men over 60 have less rigid erections and have longer periods (12 to 24 hours or more) between erections.
• Older men take longer to ejaculate and are less aware that they are about to ejaculate. The ejaculation itself is less forceful than that of younger men.

The ability to touch, share, and be close, however, should permit couples of any age to enjoy a satisfying sexual relationship.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.