Researchers have studied the physical and psychological responses during sexual arousal of both younger and older men and women. They have found that during sexual arousal the heartbeat, breathing rate, and blood pressure change and the skin may flush. There are changes in the genitals and in some nongenital areas. They also have found that sexual arousal is different in older men and women than it is in younger people.

The physical responses to sexual intercourse given below are not absolutes. Age is only one factor in sexual response. For example, problems with getting or keeping an erection may be caused by diseases such as hardening of the arteries. Lessened sexual response in both men and women is sometimes caused by taking medications for high blood pressure, heart disease, or nervous disorders.

Nongenital Changes from Sexual Arousal in Older Women

The nipples of women under 50 become and stay firm, the breasts of women 51 to 60 swell less, and the breasts of women over 60 seldom swell. The colored, circular area surrounding the nipple swells, though less in older women than in younger women. A measlelike flush spreads over the upper chest, neck, and face in about half of women aged 41 to 50 and a little over 10% of women aged 51 to 60.

Genital Responses from Sexual Arousal in Older Women

The clitoris, the outer part of the vagina that can become erect, becomes firm in women even in their 70s. In women under 40, the two long lips of skin, one on each side of the vagina, usually swell and flatten. This response is rare in women after age 50. The inner lips of the vagina swell and flatten in most women aged 41 to 50 and in about a third of women between 51 and 60. This response was not noted in women over 60.

Changes in the vagina include thinning of the walls and decreased length, width, and ability to expand during arousal and climax. Vaginal wetness usually takes 1 to 3 minutes compared to 10 to 30 seconds for women under 40.

The uterus becomes smaller as a result of less estrogen during menopause. The uterus does not enlarge as much during arousal in women over 40. Some women over age 60 have reported painful contractions during orgasm.

Despite the longer time needed for arousal, the pre- or postmenopausal woman can have normal orgasms, especially if she has remained sexually active.

Women 5 to 10 years after menopause with little or no opportunity for sexual intercourse, who do not engage in psychological or physical masturbation, eventually have trouble receiving a partner's penis unless a lubricant is used. There are several kinds of water-soluble lubricants available, such as K-Y jelly.

Many older women who choose to be sexually inactive are aroused by such psychological stimuli as reading love stories, watching the love affairs on a favorite TV program, or viewing videos. Other women fantasize about real or imagined events. Such erotic stimulation may be helpful in retaining sexual response.

Older couples who caress or pet without having intercourse still have physical sexual responses not afforded to those who choose to stay away from all forms of arousal. The saying 'use it or lose it' applies well here.

Nongenital Responses to Sexual Arousal in Older Men

Nongenital responses in men of all ages are usually not significant. There is little or no nipple erection in men after age 50. Skin flush, which is a sign of sexual arousal, is seen in only 5% of men over 50.

Genital Responses to Sexual Arousal in Older Men

Men under 40 are usually erect in 3 to 5 seconds, but between ages 40 and 50 take three to five times longer. Although older men take longer to become erect, they keep their erections longer.

Older men are slower to erect and ejaculate. Men over 60 have less rigid erections and have longer periods (12 to 24 hours or more) between erections. The awareness of impending ejaculation not only decreases in older men but the ejaculation itself is less forceful than that of younger men.

Touching, sharing, and closeness are, however, not related to either partner's decade in life. Couples can enjoy a satisfying, deepening, and enriching relationship regardless of age.