As the man ages, certain social and psychologic factors influence his sexual responsiveness. Masters and Johnson noted several recurrent themes in interviews about waning sexual responsiveness. Monotony in the sexual relationship or the feeling of being taken for granted was a common factor in loss of interest in sexual performance. Concerns with economic or career pursuits, mental or physical fatigue, physical and mental illness of the individual or his spouse, and overindulgence in food or drink also interfered with sexual activity. Finally, fear of failure caused many men to retreat from coital activity rather than risk repeated embarrassment.

Physiologic changes in the middle-aged man's sexual response parallel those seen in the woman. During these years the man may experience a significant delay in attaining an erection, and the erection may not be as full as that to which he is accustomed. Next, there may be little testicular elevation, and the vasocongestive phenomena in the scrotum and testes are much less pronounced. Pre-ejaculatory emission may diminish or cease. The plateau phase may be prolonged, and consequently control of ejaculatory demand is much better than in younger males.

The orgasmic experience encompasses a shorter time span. The feeling of ejaculatory inevitability may gradually disappear from the orgasmic phase, may be present but shortened, or may be prolonged if there is prostatic spasm. The expulsive force of ejaculation decreases, as does the volume of seminal fluid expelled. The resolution period proceeds more quickly, and the erection is lost rapidly. The refractory period is extended and may last several hours.

As the man ages, his ejaculatory control actually improves, and simultaneously he experiences a reduced ejaculatory demand. In other words, he may be satisfied to ejaculate during every second or third intercourse. As the man ages, he also can still enjoy a full and satisfying sexual relationship provided he has an interested and interesting partner and is in reasonably good general health.

The homosexual also has special problems during the middle years. Aging seems particularly stressful, since youth and physical attractiveness are emphasized in the homosexual subculture. In addition, the needs of homosexuals are not met within the context of the family but within the context of the It subculture. The homosexual has certain advantages, however, during the middle years: he has been isolated from the anxiety connected with loss of a parental role and also does not face the loss of his spouse in later years.

Sexual Interest And Activity During The Middle Years

Two hundred and sixty-one male and 241 female whites between the ages of 46 and 69 years from middle and upper socioeconomic levels were interviewed regarding their sexual behavior. Men from each age group generally reported greater sexual interest and activity than females. A decline in overall interest and activity was seen as age increased. However, strong evidence exists that sex continues to be a very important aspect of middle life. Only 6% of the men and 33% of the women were no longer interested in sex; 12% of the men and 44% of the women were no longer sexually active. A decline in sexual interest and activity was most noticeable between the ages of 46 and 50, and 51 and 55 years. Women attributed responsibility for cessation of sexual relations to their husbands, and husbands to themselves.

Between the ages of 46 and 60 years, 44% to 70% of women in this sample described their sexual interest as moderate to strong, and 31% to 60% enjoyed intercourse at least once a week or more frequently. Among men between and 60 years of age, 69% to 91 % described their sexual interest as moderate to strong; 55% to 95% of the male sample enjoyed intercourse at least once or more each week.

A later study of the factors influencing sexual activity and interest during m middle and old age revealed that for men, the most important variables were past sexual experience, age, subjective and objective health factors, and social class. Only marital status, age, and the enjoyment derived from sex during younger years influenced women's sexual activity and interest during middle and late years.

In addition, this study revealed a significant positive correlation between levels of sexual activity during youth and older years. Finally, it was found that sexual activity and interest in aging women depend on the availability of a socially approved and capable sexual partner. The theory is proposed that aging females adaptively inhibit their sexual strivings, since little opportunity for sexual fulfillment exists. Little is known about the sexual adaptation made by widows.

About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a Male Enhancement Pills company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of Top Male Enhancement This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.