As men get older, their sex drive can decrease with age. A natural fall in testosterone levels – especially after the age of 40 – can lead to a wilting desire for sex, an increase in the time needed to achieve erection and, in some cases, erectile dysfunction (ED). Most men in their lifetime will experience some form of ED. If you are having problems with ED, regardless of your age, our Online Erectile Dysfunction Clinic is here to help.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a male sex hormone, produced mainly in the testicles, that plays a large role in the male sex drive. (Women also have testosterone but at much lower levels.) Testosterone isn’t only linked to sex drive. It helps develop and / or produce:
- male sex organs
- body hair
- muscle
- deepening voice
- sperm
- red blood cells
Low testosterone
Somewhat depressingly, male testosterone levels peak in the late teens. Happily, the initial decline is tiny: essentially imperceptible before the age of 30. Between the ages of 30 – 40 a man’s testosterone levels fall by about 1% every year. While high enough to be measured, the effects won’t really be noticeable during this decade. However, after the age of 40 many men start to experience a loss of sex drive due to decreased testosterone levels. Low testosterone can lead to:
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Less firm erections
- Longer time to achieve erection
- Decreased sperm count
The above symptoms can all directly affect sexual performance. Other symptoms of low testosterone can include:
- Hot flushes
- Depression
- Irritability
- Poor concentration
- Loss of muscle mass
- Increased weight
Erectile Dysfunction
Men over the age of 40 are increasingly susceptible to ED. A 2013 study found 75% of men newly diagnosed with ED were over 40. However the cause isn’t simply low testosterone brought about by advancing years. Other conditions linked to ED, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, occur more commonly in older men. 80% of men over 40 who experience ED have an underlying medical condition. For a more detailed overview read Erectile Dysfunction Causes. Alternately, complete his free assessment to have our doctors assess your ED, the potential causes, and suitable treatments.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
If you experience ED then a number of treatments are available. Suitability for each treatment might depend on the cause of the ED so be sure to get your ED assessed before seeking treatment. We offer five prescription-only medications for ED:
- Viagra: the best known treatment for ED.
- Sildenafil: the same active ingredient as Viagra (sildenafil citrate) but cheaper.
- Cialis: longer-lasting, Cialis remains active in the body for approximately 36 hours.
- Levitra: similar to Viagra in terms of length of effect.
- Spedra: a very fast acting treatment that can take effect in under 30 minutes.
For an in-depth comparison of each treatment, see our online Erectile Dysfunction Clinic.
