At What Age Does a Man Stop Getting Hard?

Getting older is a privilege, but often has some unwanted side effects on your body — your eyesight might start to go, your joints may be feeling creaky and maybe yourGetting older is a privilege, but there’s no denying it can have some—ahem—unwanted side effects on the body. And while you can’t turn back time, you can prepare yourself for certain changes.

With that in mind, at what age does a man stop getting hard? In other words, when do men stop getting erections?

The answer is a little complicated because it depends on the exact cause of your erectile dysfunction (ED).

Below, we’ll explore the causes of age-related erectile dysfunction and how to deal with ED, and we’ll answer the big question: At what age do men need Viagra®?

Here’s the thing: Erectile dysfunction—that is, when a man is unable to get or keep an erection for sex—can happen at any age (it’s not just for the older guys). In fact, it’s estimated to affect some 30 million men in the U.S. to some degree. 

So if you’re asking “when do men stop getting hard?” the answer will likely vary from person to person. Some people in their 20s have difficulty getting an erection, while some people in their 80s don’t. That’s why there’s no one age when men stop being sexually active.

However, like many other medical conditions, the risk of developing ED increases as men get older. Research shows that age is one of the factors most closely linked to ED, so the older you are, the more at risk you are of developing erectile dysfunction (but that still doesn’t mean it happens to everyone).

An estimated 52 percent of men between 40 and 70 have some degree of ED. This rate increases to about 70 percent by age 70.

Other research has shown similar numbers. For example, a scientific review from 2017 noted that a man in his 40s has a 40 percent chance of developing some form of erectile dysfunction, with this risk increasing by 10 percent each additional decade.

In a more recent 2024 study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers looked at 1,800 men in the U.S. ranging in age from 18 to 87 and found the overall ED prevalence to be 24 percent. The average rate was actually higher in the men ages 18 to 24 than those ages 25 to 44, but then the rates steadily increased with age among the men 45 and older.

There are many causes of erectile dysfunction. Below are some of the physical and mental issues that can contribute to ED, especially as you get older.

Medical Conditions

Many chronic diseases and medical conditions can contribute to ED. To better understand why, let’s back up a minute: Achieving an erection is a complex process that requires optimal blood flow to your penis and optimal nerve function. 

When you feel sexually aroused, your nerves send messages that allow muscles inside your small blood vessels to relax. This stimulates more blood flow, allowing the erectile tissue inside your penis to expand and become firmer.

Without proper nerve function and healthy blood vessels, getting and maintaining an erection is much more difficult. 

Many conditions can cause physical changes that increase your odds of developing ED, and the risk of these conditions generally increases as you age. These include:

• Chronic kidney disease

• Heart and blood vessel diseases, including atherosclerosis and high cholesterol

• High blood pressure

• Low testosterone

• Multiple sclerosis

• Obesity

• Peyronie’s disease

• Type 2 diabetes

Medications

In addition to physical health problems, some medications can affect your ability to develop and maintain an erection, and you’re more likely to take medications as you get older. The most common culprits include:

• Antidepressants and anxiety meds

• High blood pressure medications

• Prescription sleeping pills or sedatives 

• Prostate cancer drugs

• Some appetite suppressants

• Certain ulcer medications

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors that may affect the age at which men stop getting hard include smoking, consuming an excessive amount of alcohol, using recreational drugs, and having a sedentary daily life. 

Even insufficient sleep, disrupted sleep, and sleep disorders like sleep apnea or insomnia may affect your sexual function.

Psychological Causes of ED

ED can often develop due to psychological conditions independent of physical problems with your body.

For example, performance anxiety is a common cause of ED when it occurs during partnered sex but not masturbation.

Other causes include:

• Stress

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Relationship problems

• Poor communication during sex

Some of these issues, including depression and anxiety, become more likely as you get older, but not all of the psychological causes of ED are related to age.

Learn more about the psychological causes of ED in our guide.

Now that we’ve addressed at what age a man stops getting hard, what can you do when it happens to you? Can you still get hard after 65?

Here’s the good news: Regardless of your age, ED can often be successfully treated by targeting underlying causes and by taking medications to improve blood flow to the penis. Effective ED treatments may include medication, therapy, and certain lifestyle changes to improve your sexual health and function.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes that may help improve erectile function include:

• Quitting smoking

• Managing stress

• Losing weight if you’re overweight

• Getting more physical activity 

• Improving your diet to and including foods that help with ED

• Getting enough sleep

ED Medications

Currently, there are several evidence-based erectile dysfunction medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many of these medications are phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), which work by increasing blood flow to your penis. This can make getting and maintaining an erection easier when you’re sexually aroused.

The following medications are available to treat ED:

• Sildenafil: The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil can be taken 30 minutes to one hour prior to sex and provides relief from erectile dysfunction for around four hours per dose.

• Tadalafil: The active ingredient in Cialis®, tadalafil is a long-lasting ED medication that can provide relief from ED for up to 36 hours — an effect that’s earned it the nickname as the “weekend” pill.

• Vardenafil: Vardenafil starts working quickly and offers relief from ED for slightly longer than sildenafil.

• Avanafil: The active ingredient in Stendra®, avanafil is a fast-acting ED medication that’s less likely to cause certain side effects than older ED medications.

Many people wonder at what age men need Viagra, but there’s no particular age when men may benefit from taking Viagra or other medications to increase blood flow to the penis. You may want to talk to your healthcare provider about these medications if you notice a persistent inability to maintain or achieve an erection.

Psychological Therapy

Addressing underlying psychological issues through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or other talk therapies can sometimes help improve erectile function. It may also help you manage stress levels, anxiety, or depression.

Hormone Therapy

For men with low testosterone levels, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can potentially help improve libido and fatigue caused by low testosterone levels. This treatment should be closely monitored by a healthcare provider to make sure your testosterone levels stay at a healthy level.

Vacuum Erection Devices (Penis Pumps)

Penis pumps create a vacuum around the penis, drawing blood into the cavernous bodies and inducing an erection. They are a non-invasive option for men who cannot take medications.

Surgical Options

In cases where other treatments are ineffective, surgical options such as penile implants can be considered. These devices are implanted in the penis and can be manually adjusted to achieve an erection.

Do Supplements Help?

Many supplements claim to be able to help you achieve an erection, but as of yet none of these are research-backed. If you’re concerned you may have a nutrient deficiency, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider for testing. 

There’s no particular age when men stop getting erections. Not all men get ED as they get older, but the issue does become more likely past your mid-40s and much more likely after age 70. 

That’s at least partly because your risk for many health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, becomes higher as you age, and these conditions can contribute to ED.

However, there are many effective treatments to help a man get hard again, including lifestyle changes, ED medications, and therapy. 

If you’re among the millions of men who struggle with erections, talk to your doctor about treatment options or connect with a healthcare provider through our telehealth platform.