Sexual Dysfunction | Sex As We Age

Clinical Resource Hub

Sexual Dysfunction
in Aging Adults

Sexual difficulties are common, clinically recognized, and — in most cases — treatable. This hub brings together evidence-based articles, clinical guides, and interactive tools to help you understand what is happening and what you can do about it.

Psychologist-authored  ·  Peer-reviewed sources  ·  MD-reviewed content
40–70%
of men over 40 experience some degree of erectile dysfunction
Feldman et al., 1994 — Massachusetts Male Aging Study
43%
of women report sexual dysfunction of some kind in population studies
Laumann et al., 1999 — Journal of the American Medical Association
~80%
of sexual dysfunctions in aging adults have a treatable physical or psychological component
McCabe et al., 2016 — Journal of Sexual Medicine
< 25%
of people with sexual concerns ever discuss them with a healthcare provider
Shifren et al., 2008 — Obstetrics & Gynecology

Start Here: Understanding the Basics

These articles provide clinical context for the most common sexual dysfunctions that emerge with aging. They are written in plain language and grounded in peer-reviewed research.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction: Prevalence, Causes & Aging

A clinical overview of erectile disorder — how common it is, what drives it physiologically and psychologically, and why it becomes more prevalent with age. Part 1 of a two-part series.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction: Treatment Options & Decisions

A practical review of the current treatment landscape for erectile disorder, from PDE5 inhibitors and hormonal interventions to psychological therapy, vacuum devices, and penile rehabilitation.

Desire · Female

Menopause & Sexual Desire: The Clinical Picture

How estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone shifts during and after menopause affect sexual interest, arousal, and satisfaction — and what the research says about managing these changes.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire · Female

Low Desire in Women: HSDD Explained

An in-depth look at Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in women — including diagnostic criteria, the biopsychosocial model, and what the current evidence says about treatment pathways.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire · Male

Low Desire in Men: HSDD & Androgen Decline

Male low desire is underdiagnosed and often dismissed. This article covers the clinical picture of HSDD in men, the role of testosterone, and the psychological contributors that medication alone won't fix.

Orgasm Disorders

Anorgasmia & Orgasm Changes with Age

Explores female orgasmic disorder (FOD) and delayed/absent orgasm in men — what changes with aging, why, and what the clinical evidence says about addressing difficulty reaching orgasm.


Deeper Dives: Mechanisms & Management

These are more detailed clinical explainers covering the physiology, risk factors, and management of specific dysfunction types. Useful for those who want to go further, or who are preparing to speak with a clinician.

Ejaculatory Changes · Male

Ejaculatory Changes in Aging Men

Covers delayed ejaculation, reduced ejaculatory force, anejaculation, and retrograde ejaculation — the physiological shifts behind these changes and the clinical factors involved in assessment and care.

Pelvic Floor

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction & Sexual Health

The pelvic floor is a key but often-overlooked contributor to sexual pain, arousal difficulty, and orgasm changes. This guide explains how pelvic floor dysfunction intersects with sexual function, and what evidence-based options exist.


Assessments & Exercises

These tools are not diagnostic — they are designed to help you reflect, identify patterns, and prepare for conversations with your healthcare provider. They are grounded in clinically-validated frameworks.

Interactive Assessment

Desire & Arousal Check-In

8 questions based on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) frameworks, adapted for self-reflection.

Question 1 of 8

Reflective Exercise

Contributing Factors Explorer

Rate how much each domain is currently affecting your sexual wellbeing. Based on the biopsychosocial model of sexual dysfunction.

Physical health5
Hormonal changes5
Stress & mental health5
Relationship dynamics5
Medications / treatments5
Body image & self-esteem5
Physical
5
Hormonal
5
Mental
5
Relationship
5
Medications
5
Self-image
5

Your highest-rated domains are likely your most productive starting points for a conversation with a clinician or therapist.

Preparation Checklist

Talk to Your Doctor: Prep Checklist

Research shows that patients who prepare specific concerns before a medical appointment get more from that visit. Use this before your next appointment.

Your symptoms

Your medications

Your goals

Questions to ask

Sex As We Age  ·  Tami-Lee Duncan, MA/MEd, RPsych

This content is educational and does not constitute medical or psychological advice. If you are experiencing sexual difficulties, please speak with a qualified healthcare provider.
managingsexualpain.com  ·  transcendwellness.ca