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Sex Drive in Men By Age: What's Normal?

Fact Checked

How does age impact your sex drive? Find out in this special report, plus discover how you can keep your libido strong in your 50s, 60s, and beyond.

Last Updated: 08/04/2025

Written by

Kimberly Wilkes

You’re getting older, and you’re noticing a decline in your libido. It takes you longer to recover from one sex session before you start another. You might be wondering, “Is your sex drive normal for your age?”

In this blog post, we’ll dive into how sex drive changes with age and what you can do if you’re noticing an age-related slump in your sexual performance.

What Is Sex Drive?

Sex drive and libido are considered the same thing. They refer to a person’s desire to have sex. The higher your sex drive, the shorter your refractory period, the time it takes you to recover from one round of sex before you are ready for another.

My husband refers to short refractory periods as “potato-chipping.” In other words, with potato chips, you can’t just eat one, and likewise, if your sex drive is strong, you’ll want to go at it again under the sheets not long after the first time around.

Sex drive is an important part of human sexuality. Many factors can contribute to libido and sexual interest, including your psychological state, social interactions, and physical health.

Symptoms of low sex drive include:

A lack of interest in sexual activity
Erectile dysfunction
Lack of sexual fantasies
Reduced sexual arousal
Avoiding intimacy with your partner

Men’s Sex Drive at 20 and 30

Typically, men’s sex drive is high in their 20s and 30s. This is due to high levels of testosterone, a hormone linked to healthy libido.

However, an estimated 8% of men aged 20-29 years and 11% of men aged 30-39 years develop ED.(1) Although psychological reasons for erectile dysfunction are common in this age group, more and more young men are developing cardiovascular disease risk factors that also contribute to ED, such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and overweight and obesity.

If you have erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor about getting tested for these cardiovascular risk factors.

Another reason for a drop in sex drive, even in younger men? Testosterone starts to decline around age 35, which can affect your libido. In your 30s, you might also have more stress related to work and family, which can impact your libido and desire to have sex with your partner.

Men’s Sex Drive at 40

Beginning in your 40s, you might find it more difficult to have a healthy erection compared to when you were in your 20s and 30s. Your performance might become more inconsistent. Your sex drive may also decline due to declining testosterone levels and decreased energy from when you were younger.

Men’s Sex Drive at 50

Aging men can have a healthy sex life, but erectile dysfunction does become more common with age. Age-related diseases that impact sexual function, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, also become more common in men over 50. All of these factors can influence your sexual desire.

Men’s Sex Drive at 60 and Beyond

As men grow older, they’re at increased risk for erectile dysfunction and have a more difficult time having intercourse. According to a study in the Journal of Urology, the prevalence of ED increased from 67% for men 50 years old to 89% for those 75 years old.(2) The prevalence of moderate and severe ED increased rapidly with age from 12% at age 50 years to 58% at age 75 years. For each 1-year increase in age, moderate ED increased by 8%, whereas severe ED increased by 18%.

This decrease in sexual arousal with age may lead to becoming discouraged at an inability to have sex and a resulting decrease in sex drive, leading to a vicious cycle.

Causes of Low Sex Drive in Men

Low sexual desire in men can be caused by one or more of the following factors.

Low Testosterone

Low levels of the hormone testosterone in men are associated with sexual dysfunction, including low sexual desire.(3) In men with low testosterone levels, raising testosterone through testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) results in beneficial effects such as increasing libido and energy levels and leading to better orgasms.(4)

Lack of Sleep

Not getting enough shut-eye can cause ED. Lack of sleep is linked to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which isn’t good for sexual function.(5) High levels of cortisol can lead to low testosterone levels, which affects libido and male sex drive.(6)

Sleep loss is also associated with many diseases that are linked to ED, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression.(7)

It’s not only when you sleep, but what time of day you get your shut-eye. Men who work night shifts have worse erectile function, according to a review of published studies.(8)

That same review discussed another study that found men with sleep disorders who didn’t get enough sleep had a greater risk of developing ED, even after accounting for age and underlying health problems.(9)

In addition, not getting enough sleep affects the production of brain chemicals involved in erections.(10)

Stress

Whether it’s caused by lack of sleep, anxious hours on the job, or taking care of an elderly relative, stress can affect sexual health and is linked to ED.(11)

High cortisol levels that happen during stress are not good for the sex life. Being under chronic stress can also lead to developing health conditions linked to ED, such as cardiovascular disease.

Physical Health Issues

Medical conditions can reduce male sex drive and your desire for sexual activity with your partner. Health problems can cause your energy levels to tank, and the last thing you might feel like doing is getting it on with your partner. Pretty much any health issue can lead to a reduced sex drive, but some of the more common ones are:

Diabetes
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Kidney disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Hypothyroidism

For example, a decline in sexual health marked by ED and low libido is one of the complications of diabetes. Diabetes causes decreased libido and ED by damaging nerves and affecting blood vessels that feed the penis. Men with diabetes can also have low testosterone levels, which can play a role in reduced sex drive.(12)

Mental Health

Male sexual dysfunction and depression often occur side by side. Men with depression frequently have ED and low libido accompanied by low testosterone levels.(13) Medications commonly used to treat mental health can also cause or worsen male sexual dysfunction.

How to Increase Sex Drive in Men

Eat Healthy

Avoiding sugar and refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta can do wonders for your sexual energy. For example, eating a Mediterranean diet can reduce ED and improve sex drive.(14) This type of diet includes vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts, whole grains, extra virgin olive oil, and a moderate amount of fish, poultry, and dairy. Red meat and sweets are eaten sparingly. A Mediterranean diet can reduce cardiovascular disease and weight gain, two conditions linked to ED.

Get Moving

Research has found that regular physical exercise improves erectile function. It does this through balancing blood sugar, supporting healthy blood pressure, and regulating testosterone levels.(15) Aerobic exercise with moderate to vigorous intensity is the most effective natural treatment.(16)

Treating Underlying Conditions

Diagnosing and treating conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular concerns can improve your sexual energy and sex drive. Talk to your doctor about the best way to identify and treat any medical conditions.

Resolving ED

Having ED can put a damper on your sex drive because you’re afraid of how you will perform. On the other hand, resolving ED can restore your sexual vitality and lead to more sex. In addition to the lifestyle changes mentioned above, here are some treatment options for ED:

ED Medications – This can be a good option for some men. However, they have side effects such as headaches, flushing, nausea, runny nose, and more serious effects like sudden hearing loss, vision changes, and erections that don’t go away (priapism).(17) And the pills can stop working within a year or two.(18) Talk to your doctor about whether ED pills are a good option for you.
Acoustic Soundwave Therapy – Also called acoustic shockwave therapy or low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT), this is a long-lasting solution. It works with your body to restore sexual health. Li-ESWT can either be performed in a men’s health clinic or at home. In-clinic Li-ESWT is effective, but it’s also expensive at $500 per treatment. An at-home version of Li-ESWT is less expensive and can be used in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Men and Sex Drive

At What Age Is Male Sex Drive Highest?

Sex drive is highest when a man is in his late teens and 20s. During this timeframe, high testosterone levels bolster a guy’s libido. However, even some men in their 20s experience ED, often due to psychological reasons or because more men are developing diabetes and cardiovascular problems at a young age.

At what age does sex drive decrease in men?

Men’s sex drive usually starts to decline between the ages of 40 and 60. Life changes such as a drop in testosterone levels happen during this time. Diseases linked to ED and sex drive, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are also more common during this time.

What Is The Connection Between Alcohol and Sex Drive in Men?

A small amount of alcohol may boost your sex drive, but large amounts can put a damper on your sexual excitement. Alcohol decreases the sensitivity to touch, so you might find it harder to get aroused after downing enough of your favorite beer or whiskey.