Prostate Restored
Photo by Eugene Golovesov Pexels Logo Photo: Eugene Golovesov

How common is ED after 50?

ED becomes more common with age. At age 40, about one-third of men have ED; this number climbs to 70% by age 70. But these statistics don't mean that ED is inevitable or is necessarily a natural part of aging.

Does prostate cancer make you feel unwell?
Does prostate cancer make you feel unwell?

Some men with advanced prostate cancer have problems eating, or don't feel very hungry. You might feel or be sick. These problems may be caused by...

Read More »
What causes a enlarged prostate?
What causes a enlarged prostate?

The cause of prostate enlargement is unknown, but it's believed to be linked to hormonal changes as a man gets older. The balance of hormones in...

Read More »
Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!
Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

See more Disclaimer If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have erectile dysfunction (ED) and are over 50, you are not alone. It’s the most common sexual dysfunction for men. For some, it can be a sign of a more serious health problem. Read on to learn more about the causes of ED in men over 50 and what you can do about it. Get $15 off your first month of ED treatment If prescribed, get ED treatment delivered discreetly directly to your door. Learn more

What is erectile dysfunction?

ED, sometimes referred to as impotence, happens when you can’t get or keep an erection sufficient for satisfying sex. That might include erections that don’t last as long as you want or aren’t as firm as you’d like. These issues with erectile function may affect your sex drive in addition to your ability to have sex. Erectile dysfunction is the most common sexual issue for men, affecting approximately 30 to 50 million adult men in the United States—that’s more than half of men aged 40 to 70 (Sooriyamoorthy, 2021).

Erectile dysfunction and age

ED becomes more common with age. At age 40, about one-third of men have ED; this number climbs to 70% by age 70. But these statistics don’t mean that ED is inevitable or is necessarily a natural part of aging. ED can often result from a range of medical conditions that might come with age, like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes (Sooriyamoorthy, 2021).

What’s the main cause of ED in men over 50?

The most common cause of erectile dysfunction in men over 50 is atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque in the arteries or hardening of the arteries. This condition can affect any of the arteries in the body and commonly contributes to heart disease. But it can also affect the blood vessels in the penis responsible for erections. That’s why almost half of men with diagnosed heart disease have significant ED (Sooriyamoorthy, 2021). As men age, the linings of arteries become less flexible. That means they don’t expand as easily to let more blood flow through when you need it (like while getting an erection). Plaque buildup can also narrow arteries, meaning less blood can flow to the penis. This reduced blood flow can cause ED as well as heart attacks or strokes.

Why do I feel like I'm starving at night?
Why do I feel like I'm starving at night?

Bedtime hunger may be an indication that you're not eating enough during the day. As a result, your body may be trying to compensate right before...

Read More »
Does extra virgin olive oil increase testosterone?
Does extra virgin olive oil increase testosterone?

Extra virgin olive oil contains a lot of vitamin E and monounsaturated fat. The oil can also improve male reproductive health too, boosting the...

Read More »

Because the penile blood vessels are smaller than those in the heart, they can get affected by atherosclerosis long before you have signs or symptoms of heart disease (e.g., chest pain)—by as much as 10 years. ED can be an early indicator that your blood vessels are not doing well (Sooriyamoorthy, 2021). Studies show that young men with ED are 30% more likely to develop heart disease over the next 10 years (Pozzi, 2020). In fact, people with ED have over 60% more heart attacks, almost 40% more strokes, and a 25% increased risk of death than those without ED (Sooriyamoorthy, 2021). Erectile dysfunction and heart disease share a lot of the same risk factors and symptoms. If you have symptoms of ED, consider getting screened for cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Other causes of erectile dysfunction

ED isn’t only due to cardiovascular issues. Other things can contribute to ED too, including (Sooriyamoorthy, 2021):

Diabetes

Obesity

Anxiety and depression

Relationship issues

Sleep disorders

Peyronie’s disease

​Low testosterone levels

Spinal cord injuries

How can older men avoid ED?

Your erections will be best when you’re healthy. Making simple lifestyle changes—like getting regular exercise, following a healthy diet, quitting smoking, getting enough sleep, and limiting your alcohol consumption—might help control the factors that can contribute to ED (Ostfeld, 2021). If a healthy lifestyle is not enough, your healthcare provider may recommend medications to treat your underlying conditions, or medications to help deal with the symptoms of ED.

Treatment options for ED

What are symptoms of high uric acid?
What are symptoms of high uric acid?

Hyperuricemia occurs when there's too much uric acid in your blood. High uric acid levels can lead to several diseases, including a painful type of...

Read More »
How does a man with erectile dysfunction feel?
How does a man with erectile dysfunction feel?

A man with ED may emotionally feel arousal, but the penis may be unable to maintain an erection. This may lead to frustration, feelings of...

Read More »

Oral prescription medications for ED are highly effective at improving sexual function. The most commonly prescribed are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors like sildenafil (brand name Viagra), tadalafil (brand name Cialis), and vardenafil (brand name Levitra). PDE5 inhibitors work by widening your blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the penis. Some men have found natural remedies for ED to be effective at improving sexual performance (such as DHEA, ginseng, L-arginine, L-carnitine, and yohimbine), though the evidence is limited. If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, know that there are a range of safe and effective treatment options available to improve your sex life and that of your partner or partners. Speak with a healthcare provider to learn which treatment might be right for you. References Ostfeld, R. J., Allen, K. E., Aspry, K., Brandt, E. J., Spitz, A., Liberman, J., et al. (2021). Vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: the impact of diet and lifestyle. The American Journal of Medicine, 134(3), 310–316. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.09.033. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33227246/ Pozzi, E., Capogrosso, P., Boeri, L., Belladelli, F., Baudo, A., Schifano, N., et al. (2020). Longitudinal risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in patients with erectile dysfunction-Which patients deserve more attention?. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(8), 1489–1494. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.03.012. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32340919/ Sooriyamoorthy, T. & Leslie, S. W. (2021). Erectile dysfunction. [Updated Aug 12, 2021]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/ See more

How do I stop DHT from attacking my hair?
How do I stop DHT from attacking my hair?

Finasteride binds to 5-AR proteins to block DHT from binding with them. This helps keep DHT from binding to receptors on your hair follicles and...

Read More »
What happens to prostate after radiation?
What happens to prostate after radiation?

After brachytherapy, patients may experience the following symptoms: Burning with urination. Increased frequency of urination. Slow or weak urinary...

Read More »
How long do you have if prostate cancer has spread?
How long do you have if prostate cancer has spread?

Survival for all stages of prostate cancer more than 95 out of 100 (more than 95%) will survive their cancer for 1 year or more. more than 85 out...

Read More »
Is curcumin better than fish oil?
Is curcumin better than fish oil?

Fish oil beats curcumin for brain & heart health biomarker improvements in older people. Supplementation with fish oil, but not curcumin, may...

Read More »