Question
At what age does a man stop ejaculating?
Answer
There is no set age, or stage of life, at which men stop ejaculating.
Most men aged over 70 are sexually active and have orgasms (according to large European and American studies). Some of these men would be expected to have an ejaculation disorder (like delayed or retrograde ejaculation), which can affect men at any age, but these are more likely to be caused by health problems rather than age. Anejaculation (the complete absence of ejaculation) is always associated with either medication or problems with function of the nervous system.
Semen volume decreases with age (in men and other animals) but the effect of age is small in humans.
If you are healthy you should expect to continue being able to ejaculate, well into old age.
Tim Moss
Healthy Male Health Content Manager
Dr Tim Moss has PhD in physiology and more than 20 years’ experience as a biomedical research scientist. Tim stepped away from his successful academic career at the end of 2019, to apply his skills in turning complicated scientific and medical knowledge into information that all people can use to improve their health and wellbeing. Tim has written for crikey.com and Scientific American’s Observations blog, which is far more interesting than his authorship of over 150 academic publications. He has studied science communication at the Alan Alda Centre for Communicating Science in New York, and at the Department of Biological Engineering Communication Lab at MIT in Boston.
Other common ejaculation problems
Retrograde ejaculation
Retrograde ejaculation happens when semen goes backward into the bladder instead of coming out of the penis during orgasm. This can make orgasms feel dry, with little or no semen. It’s not dangerous, but it can make it harder to have children. Retrograde ejaculation can be caused by diabetes, nerve damage, or medications that affect muscle control. If it’s a problem, a doctor can help by adjusting medications or suggesting treatments to improve ejaculation.
Delayed ejaculation
Delayed ejaculation is when it takes a long time to reach orgasm during sex or masturbation, or sometimes it doesn’t happen at all. This can be frustrating and may be caused by things like stress, anxiety, medications, or nerve problems. While it’s not harmful, it can affect confidence and relationships. Some men only experience it in certain situations, while others have it all the time. If it’s causing problems, a doctor can help figure out the cause and suggest treatments like changing medications, therapy, or lifestyle changes.
Painful ejaculation
Painful ejaculation is when you feel discomfort, burning, or aching in the penis, testicles, or lower belly when you orgasm. It can be caused by infections, prostate problems, nerve issues, or even stress. Sometimes, it happens after surgery or as a side effect of medication. Painful ejaculation isn’t normal, so if it keeps happening, it’s important to see a doctor. Treatment depends on the cause and could include antibiotics, pelvic floor therapy, or other medical support to help ease the pain.
