Couple in bed enjoying an intimate moment, symbolizing connection and pleasure at every stage of life.

Male life cycle role: why your sexual performance changes in each decade

Written by: Andrés Suro

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Time to read 5 min

A man's sex life is anything but constant over time. In the same way we are not surprised by changes in other aspects, such as health, male sexual performance evolves with age due to hormonal, physical and psychological changes. And since I'm luckily an expert on the topic, in this article, I'm going to explore how sexual performance varies in each decade and how you can maximize pleasure and satisfaction at each stage of life . I'll make one thing clear: getting older is not the same as not enjoying yourself!


Sexual performance in your 20s: power and discovery

Oh... the twenties. That decade when testosterone levels are at their peak, which translates into a very high desire, fast and powerful erections and a great recovery capacity between sexual encounters (Travison et al., 2007). Yes, what we technicians call “refractory period” and refers to the time you need between one ejaculation and the next.

This stage is known as a period of exploration and learning, in which men focus on the frequency rather than the quality of the encounter. Either due to lack of experience or lack of self-confidence. In fact, it is a stage in which  erection problems  often appear , influenced by sexual anxiety . Throughout these years, it is essential to learn to control arousal and to know one's own body so that our performance is not conditioned by this lack of self-confidence.

The stability of the 30's: the decade of self-knowledge


By 30, men usually have gained enough experience and self-confidence to improve control over their ejaculation and devote more attention to the quality of pleasure. It is true that testosterone begins to decline slightly, although it remains at optimal levels for that sexual desire and performance we deserve (Harman et al., 2001).


This decade is usually the favorite one for many men, since it is the ideal time to strengthen the couple's connection with communication and mutual understanding, which leads to an increase in sexual satisfaction. The problem comes when we cannot fully enjoy this decade because we have been crossed by problems as common as those related to premature ejaculation, which unless it is addressed, can become chronic. That is why, before letting more time pass, it is time to take care of it and look for a product for climax control .

The midlife crisis: hormonal changes and new challenges


In this decade, testosterone production begins to decline more significantly, which can mean a decrease in sexual desire and less firm erections (Matsumoto, 2002). However, this does not mean the end of a satisfying sex life, the key is to adapt to the changes . In fact, integrating good health habits extends the quality of your sex life for many more years than you can imagine.


What can we do? Mainly, exercise, maintain a balanced diet and reduce stress as much as possible. As long as you put these three factors in your favor, you will be able to maintain the performance in bed that you want . In addition, you can introduce a little variety into intimacy and explore new forms of pleasure that go beyond the purely genital-focused to enrich your experience.

The new age of the 50s: how to rediscover pleasure


After 50, all we men hear about is “erectile dysfunction problems”, “control problems”, problems and more problems... And while it is true that they may become more common due to hormonal and vascular factors, not everything is lost (Feldman et al., 1994). Let's talk about the positive aspects: experience and emotional maturity will allow you to enjoy sexuality in a different way, more focused on connection and mutual satisfaction. Those problems that occur among young people are already gone.

However, the fact that you are over 50 does not mean that you have to resign yourself to suffer from erectile dysfunction without any remedy . That is why I will always recommend that you seek the advice of a specialist to address any difficulties. In fact, there are treatments and strategies that can improve sexual function and enhance pleasure at this stage of life.

Adjusting to the 60s: how to achieve sexual wellness


In their 60s, many men experience very noticeable changes in their sexual response. Either due to progressive testosterone decline or possible medical conditions such as hypertension or diabetes (Wu et al., 2008). However, this does not mean the end of sexual life, but a golden opportunity to rediscover new forms of intimacy as a couple.


Did we already tell you about the power of caresses ? It's not just about affection, but how longer foreplay and the use of some toys as an extra support for your pleasure can help improve performance. Also, as always, keep the flame alive through communication to nurture your emotional connection and enjoy sex without stress .

From 70 onwards: promote full sexuality slowly


From 70 onwards, sexual activity is still possible and pleasurable, although with different rhythms. At this point, it is essential to pay attention to factors such as lubrication, arousal time and intensity , which may have changed. But sexual satisfaction is maintained when there is a positive attitude and a good emotional connection (Lindau et al., 2007).


The key during this stage is to adjust expectations and focus on shared pleasure . Many couples discover from these years on that emotional intimacy takes on a more relevant role than it ever has before, which reinforces the quality of the sexual encounter.

Conclusion


In case you were still hesitating: male sexual performance changes with age. But each stage has its charms and opportunities to enjoy a fulfilling sex life. With the right knowledge, good health and a willingness to adapt, it is possible to face the challenges of each decade and maintain a satisfying sexuality throughout life . Are you going to stop having fun in bed?


Sources


  • Feldman, H. A., Goldstein, I., Hatzichristou, D. G., Krane, R. J., & McKinlay, J. B. (1994). Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: Results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. The Journal of Urology, 151(1), 54-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(17)34871-1


  • Harman, S. M., Metter, E. J., Tobin, J. D., Pearson, J., & Blackman, M. R. (2001). Longitudinal effects of aging on serum total and free testosterone levels in healthy men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 86(2), 724-731. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.86.2.7219


  • Lindau, S. T., Schumm, L. P., Laumann, E. O., Levinson, W., O’Muircheartaigh, C. A., & Waite, L. J. (2007). A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(8), 762-774. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa067423


  • Matsumoto, A. M. (2002). Andropause: Clinical implications of the decline in serum testosterone levels with aging in men. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 57(2), M76-M99. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/57.2.M76


  • Wu, F. C., Tajar, A., Pye, S. R., Silman, A. J., Finn, J. D., O’Neill, T. W., ... & Boonen, S. (2008). Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis disruptions in older men are differentially linked to age and morbidity. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 93(7), 2737-2745. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2008-0266

Andrés Suro

Author: Andrés Suro  (Sexual Coach at MYHIXEL)


Psychologist specialized in the social area and expert in sexology applied to education.

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