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Question:
My interest in sex has been on a steady decline for the last year or so. When I do have sex with my wife, I ejaculate, but do not have the sensation of an orgasm. I have no trouble obtaining an erection but once I ejaculate, I cannot maintain any kind of an erection for any length of time, unlike in my younger years when I was able to keep an erection going for a while.

Answer:
by Robert Birch: (05/26/2004)
The intensity of male sexual interest does tend to decrease at some point between the ages 45 and 55. The ability to retain an erection after ejaculation is also one of the natural consequences of aging. Youi could of course use a tight retaining band (or "cock ring") around the base of your penis, but they can be uncomfortable and must be removed within 30 minutes. I'm not sure what would cause the decrease in your subjective experience of orgasm, although medication and aging can account for this in some cases. Check again with your physician, but if you have not had any sexual side effects from your antihypertensive medication in fifteen years, I doubt if that is it. Your vasectomy, of course, has nothing to do with your sexual function. When men orgasm/ejaculate, the same pelvic floor muscles contract as when women orgasm. Women can strengthen those muscles by doing what are called the Kegel Exercises. Men can do the same exercises and, at least theoretically, if you strengthen the muscles that contract, the sensations resulting from those contractions should be more intense. You and your wife can "kegel" together! It might help if you learn to delay your ejaculation, rather than hoping to maintain an erection after you have ejaculated. It also might help to add variety to your love making, both to add some novelty and excitement, but also to use a variety of methods to pleasure your wife. Aging males are in trouble if they depend only on an erection to satisfy their partners.

Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team

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