MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Impotence and age

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Impotence and age

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Illustrations Alternative Names	Information

Illustrations

Impotence and age

Alternative Names Return to top

Erection difficulties - age related

Information Return to top

Question:

Do most men have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection (impotence) as they grow older?

Answer:

Getting older does not mean you will experience impotence, although in some men, sexual responses may become slower and less intense. For example, it may take longer to achieve an erection than it did when you were younger. On the other hand, you may maintain an erection for a longer period of time.

See impotence for details.

Update Date: 11/13/2007

Updated by: Michael Langan, M.D., Department of Geriatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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