Male sexuality and reproductive issues have long been the focus of curiosity, debate and, sadly, propaganda. Perhaps the most frequently asked question is whether men do not stop ejaculating as they get older. There’s a lot of buzz about it — from speculative speculations built on cultural tropes to centuries-old myths. Men confronting the inevitable aging process are always anxious, apprehensive or unsure about what to expect.
In this piece, I try to answer the question — How old is a man when he stops puking?— by shedding some light on how men’s bodies adapt as they get older and how we can continue to enjoy good sexual health throughout our lives.
The Physiology of Ejaculation
To appreciate how age affects ejaculation, let’s start with a primer on the fundamentals of physiology. Ejaculation involves an orchestration of multiple systems: the reproductive, muscular and nervous ones. If a man is sexually aroused, brain impulses release semen (the fluid that contains sperm and other material) from the seminal vesicles, prostate gland and testes.
It is generally separated into two steps:
Release: The semen is gathered and transferred into the urethra.
Proper ejaculation: Pulsating contractions of muscles blow semen out of the penis.
Ejaculation is reflexive and essentially voluntary in the face of sexual stimulation, but its frequency and quality can depend on physiological, hormonal, neurological and psychological causes.
Do Ejaculations Ever End with Age?
The simple truth is that no, there is no age at which a man “quits” ejaculating entirely. But the nature and sensation of ejaculation may, and often does, shift as men grow older, for various reasons, which we’ll discuss below.
It is not unusual for men to be sexually active and to ejaculate well into their 70s, 80s and beyond. However, it is entirely possible that age may change the frequency, volume, force and even quality of ejaculations, which is natural as we age.
What Causes Men to Ejaculate Less Often as They Get Older?
1. Hormonal Changes
The most prominent determinant of male sexual and reproductive health is testosterone, which is the chemical responsible for desire, sperm count, and many other things. Testosterone naturally declines with age, dropping around 1% per year after the age of 30. When a man is in his 60s or 70s, he may have much less testosterone than at the start of his life.
It can result in diminished sexual urges, lowered arousal, and lower or softer ejaculations. But reduced testosterone doesn’t necessarily halt ejaculation entirely.
2. Prostate Health
The prostate gland produces seminal fluid, the primary component of ejaculate. Men’s prostate gland tends to change as they grow older, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate enlargement, is most prevalent in old men. Despite its non-invasive nature, BPH can interfere with urination, ejaculation and sexual arousal.
In more severe circumstances, prostate conditions, including prostate cancer or urgent prostate surgery, can disrupt or even stop ejaculation altogether. Prostatectomy, for instance, often leads to “dry orgasms,” in which men orgasm but don’t release any semen.
3. Erectile Function
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common in older men; more and more men have trouble getting or keeping an erection. Although they are not necessary for orgasm or ejaculation, erections dominate most men’s sex lives. By impairing sex or self-esteem, ED can interfere with ejaculation by subtly altering vascular, neurological, hormonal and psychological states.
4. Changes in Ejaculate Volume
The amount of semen a man expels tends to decline with age. In younger men, when the body is in best reproductive condition, the semen volume per ejaculation is 2–5 millilitres. It can fall off as we age, which makes ejaculate look less powerful.
These variations typically result from age-related loss of testosterone, impaired function of the accessory glands (prostate and seminal vesicles), or overall sex changes. Some men may find their orgasms less intense, an issue closely related to fluctuations in ejaculatory force.
5. General Health and Lifestyle Factors
Age is not the only predictor of sexual wellbeing and ejaculatory function. Other contributing factors can include:
Chronic illnesses: Diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension may all interfere with sexual function.
Medicines: Many commonly prescribed medicines — for anxiety, depression, blood pressure — can have side effects that inhibit ejaculation.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome: Both of these disorders lower testosterone levels and decrease libido and sperm count.
Both tobacco and alcohol consumption: These habits affect the health of the vessels and nerves, crucial elements of the ejaculatory system.
Good overall health is very strongly linked to being able to sustain sexual function into old age.
Sexual Health: Busting the Myths
Most myths of male sexuality foster needless fear and anxiety. Let’s debunk a few misconceptions:
Ejaculatory “Cutoff Age”: There is no cutoff age at which a man simply stops ejaculating. Evolution is a gradual process, and the capacity to ejaculate can last decades with proper health control.
Ejaculation Is Equal to Fertility: High rates of ejaculation and the availability of semen are correlated with good reproductive health, but sperm (mobility, count, and integrity of DNA) decline as you age. Even older men can lay semen but are less fertile.
Lack of Ejaculatory Power Is A Sign of Impotence: Lack of ejaculatory function is not a sign that a man is impotent or unfit to have a satisfying sex life.
What Can Men Do to Preserve Ejaculatory Function?
Aging is inevitable, but there are things men can do to help maintain sexual wellness and take their sex life to its fullest:
Take Healthy Steps: Exercise, a well-balanced diet, and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking can do wonders for your sex life.
Managing Stress and Mental Health: Depression and anxiety can disrupt sexual functioning. Meditation, counselling or relaxation might be helpful.
Regular Check-Ups: Regular monitoring of your prostate, hormones, and general wellbeing can identify and correct issues before they become worse.
Medications: Medical interventions, such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), pelvic floor exercises or erectile dysfunction drugs, can help men feel capable again in the face of profound sexual or ejaculatory dysfunction.
Openly Share: When changes are discussed openly with a partner and a health professional, shame can be relieved and the process is made more concrete.
Final Thoughts: At What Age Does A Man Stop Ejaculating?
So when does a man stop ejaculating? For most men, ejaculation stops at any age — it just changes. Age changes are the natural consequence of life, but they do not necessarily mean the demise of a man’s right to sex. Instead of dreading these transitions, men can focus on healthy lifestyles, taking care of chronic diseases, and openly communicating with doctors to keep sexual health at the forefront.
If men know the science of male sexuality and use the resources at their disposal, they can continue to live fulfilling, healthy, sexually fulfilled lives — no matter their age.
