As you age, your body and organ start to age too. When a man ages, his penis morphology, and timings also change. We listed 5 penis problems that happen with age, and you should be careful.
- Erectile Dysfunction
It is no secret that one of the most common causes of stress in older men is their low performance in bed. And it is due to erectile dysfunction that targets the higher age group of men where they fail to keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. It affects almost 50% of men in the age group of 60-70 years. Older men often suffer from obesity, high cholesterol level, sleeping disorders, or other medical conditions that lower the testosterone level and affects the proper erection of the penis.
Also, with age men undergo a lot of stress leading to a heavy intake of alcohol or tobacco. This, too, can cause Erectile Dysfunction. As studies show, this age-related problem can be treated by taking counteractive measures like losing excess weight and quitting tobacco and alcohol. Men suffering from this problem should consult their physician to identify the exact underlying cause for their ED and treat it with proper medications.
As reported by the Cleveland Clinic, findings from The Massachusetts Male Aging Study revealed that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) is significant, standing at 52%. The study also highlighted a clear trend of increasing ED prevalence with age. At age 40, around 40% of men were affected, while at age 70, this number rose to nearly 70%. Moreover, the prevalence of complete ED showed a similar age-related pattern, increasing from 5% at age 40 to 15% at age 70.
- Discoloration
When boys hit puberty, their penile region turns to a darker colour due to a surge in the sex hormones secretion. These hormones regulate melanocytes or skin cells that produce melanin turning the skin tone deeper in that region. But in men, it is seen that the colour of their penis lightens with age. And this is a common issue faced by men all over the world, irrespective of their race.
This condition happens due to Atherosclerosis, in which blood flow is restricted with increasing age and affects the brain and heart, and penis as well. Due to the less blood flow in the penis, it appears lighter in colour. It is a common condition and nothing to fret or stress about. But it is always advisable to get it checked by a physician to ensure everything is in perfect order as skin discoloration can sometimes (though rarely) be due to an underlying cause like skin cancer.
- Shrinkage
Like all fingers are not the same, no two penises are alike. Penis size varies from one to another. And while men age, the shrinking of the penis and testicles become a common problem in men that lowers their self-esteem. When men grow older, blood flow to the penis reduces due to fatty deposits that build up in the arteries. It weakens the muscles of the erectile tubes and less blood flow in the erectile tubes causes smaller and weaker erections making men feel that their penis has become smaller in size.
Another plausible cause for this shrinkage is a gain in weight or obesity in older men. When men gain weight, their penis appears smaller in size. This happens because when men gain weight, their belly region expands and the penis is pulled inwards making it look smaller. Sometimes, there can be an actual shrinkage in the penis due to the intake of certain medications and an adjustment in those as prescribed by a doctor can alter the negative effects.
- Peyronie’s disease
It is very normal for the penis to slightly bend towards the right or left during an erection. But in certain cases, when men grow older, the penis tends to bend significantly towards one direction. This happens due to a condition commonly known as Peyronie’s disease. This particular disease targets men over 40 years of age. It is known to cause pain while the penis is erect and makes the penis look like an hourglass. Some men do not experience pain at all and do not require any treatment as such.
The cause for this disease has not yet been discovered but the general idea is that it can either be genetic or it might develop after an injury to an erect penis. Peyronie’s disease can be treated by medicines or surgery if it is severe. The good news, though, is that this condition is non-cancerous and does not affect the rest of the body or fertility in men.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a groundbreaking German study conducted by Sommer et al. in 2002 provided the initial prevalence estimates of Peyronie’s disease in Europe. The researchers administered a validated questionnaire survey to 8000 men between the ages of 30 and 80 years in the greater Cologne region. The study’s findings revealed that the prevalence of Peyronie’s disease increased with age, with rates of 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.0%, and 6.5% observed among men aged 30–39 years, 40–59 years, 60–69 years, and over 70 years, respectively. These results strongly indicate that the likelihood of experiencing Peyronie’s disease rises as men advance in age.
- Penile Cancer
Sometimes, older men, above the age of 60 might find warts or lumps formed in their penile region, especially on the glans or the foreskin, which might be an indication of penile cancer. Apart from the extra growth of skin, men should be aware of abnormalities like bleeding from the penis or from under the foreskin, a change of colour in the penile region, or a foul-smelling discharge. There are four types of penile cancer, namely, squamous cell carcinoma (this being the most common type affecting almost 90% of men having penile cancer), Merkel cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Certain lifestyle habits like smoking tobacco, having multiple sexual partners, or poor sexual hygiene increases the risk of developing this cancer. Other risk factors include exposure to UV rays due to medical treatments, HIV infection, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. It is suggested by doctors that maintaining good genital hygiene, cessation of smoking, HPV vaccines and the use of condoms can help prevent penile cancer to some extent.
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- Poor urinary function
Even though ED is studied more, the urinary issues related to the old penis are real. Your penile muscles slack and as a result, you suffer from urinary incontinence.
But you may wonder what this condition entails. Urinary incontinence comes when you can’t regulate your urine.
You may feel an urgent urge to rush to the toilet only for urine to drip after waiting several seconds. Alternatively, also, you may fail to hold your urine, which may trickle out without your knowledge and feeling.
This occurs due to prostate inflammation called prostatitis. Enlarged prostate due to age could also result in a similar effect.
According to the National Institutes of Health, a man may face difficulty in emptying his bladder when an enlarged prostate blocks the urethra. Additionally, this type of incontinence can be caused by conditions such as diabetes and spinal cord injuries. Another form of incontinence, known as functional incontinence, is commonly observed in older individuals who otherwise have normal bladder control.
Also, the bladder neck sphincter may malfunction due to inadequate blood supply or weak veins, leading to obstruction of the lower urinary tract. This syndrome causes urine to flow uncontrolled.
This is both embarrassing and stressful. Luckily, prostate treatment could also cure these issues, even though they are not always interlinked.
- Different shape
As you grow old, your muscles slacken. In addition to a smaller penis, your testicles also shrink. This is known as testicular atrophy and is a normal aging process.
Lower skin elasticity and scrotum hanging more loosely are tell-tale signs of this condition.
The testicles also gain more wrinkles due to reduced blood flow to the region. Besides, you may notice that your scrotum hangs more loosely and is fuller.
This condition is caused by hydrocele – a form of swelling that affects the scrotum due to fluid retention or an infection. It usually occurs in the small coiled tube at the back of the testicles.
This fluid may fill the sac so that it’s full and bouncy. Still, in some cases, your testicles would shrink in size yet hang more loosely.
Meaning that the straps supporting the testicles to your pelvis elongate. But you could help.
Wear loose innerwear to keep the sagging sac comfortable.
In conclusion, we discussed five major penis problems that most men experience as their growing ages. We hope that we have elaborated on all the issues in detail and that you can learn from the knowledge mentioned above regarding penis problems.
SIMILAR QUESTION
At What Age Do Men Start Having Trouble Staying Hard?
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue that affects men of all ages, but the age at which men start experiencing difficulty staying hard can vary greatly. While some men may experience ED at any age, others may not experience it until later in life. This paper will explore the age at which men begin to have difficulty staying hard and the factors that can contribute to it.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is caused by a variety of factors, including physical, psychological, and lifestyle-related issues. Some physical causes of ED include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and hormonal imbalances. Psychological causes can include depression, anxiety, and stress. Additionally, some lifestyle-related factors such as smoking, drinking, and drug use may contribute to ED.
At What Age Do Men Start Having Trouble Staying Hard?
The age at which men start having difficulty staying hard can vary greatly. Some men may experience ED at any age, while others may not experience it until later in life. Generally, men between the ages of 40 and 70 are most likely to experience ED. This is because many of the physical and psychological factors that can contribute to ED are more common in this age range. Additionally, lifestyle-related factors such as smoking, drinking, and drug use can increase the risk of developing ED.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the age at which men start having trouble staying hard can vary greatly. While some men may experience ED at any age, others may not experience it until later in life. Generally, men between the ages of 40 and 70 are most likely to experience ED due to the physical and psychological factors that can contribute to it, as well as lifestyle-related factors such as smoking, drinking, and drug use.
