Erectile Dysfunction Treatment for Men in Their 60s and 70s
Reviewed by the Kamagra AUS Pharmacy Team on 13 November 2025 · Next review June 2027
Summary
ED becomes more common with age, but it's still usually treatable. Here's what's different — and what isn't — about approaching ED treatment later in life.
On this page
Erectile dysfunction is common at every adult age, but its prevalence rises steadily from a man's 50s onward, and by the 60s and 70s it affects a substantial share of men — which makes it something closer to an ordinary part of ageing than a rare problem. The treatment options don't fundamentally change with age, but a few practical considerations become more relevant.
Why ED becomes more common with age
Age itself doesn't directly cause ED so much as the conditions that become more common with age do: reduced blood flow from atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and the cumulative effect of medicines taken for other long-term conditions can all contribute. Lower testosterone, more common later in life, can also play a role. This is one reason ED at any age — but especially later in life — is worth mentioning to a doctor rather than dismissing as inevitable: it can be an early signal of cardiovascular issues worth investigating in their own right.
The same medicines, applied more carefully
Sildenafil, tadalafil and the other PDE5 inhibitors work the same way regardless of age, and age alone isn't a reason to avoid them. What does matter more later in life is the wider medicine list a man is often taking by his 60s or 70s — blood pressure tablets, medicines for prostate symptoms, and others — which is exactly why disclosing your full medicine list to a doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment carries more weight than it might for a younger man on no other medicines.
A doctor's check is worth prioritising
Because ED risk overlaps so heavily with cardiovascular risk in this age group, a doctor's check before starting treatment is a sensible step rather than a formality — not because PDE5 inhibitors are unusually risky, but because the underlying causes worth ruling out (heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone) become more likely with age and are each worth knowing about regardless of ED treatment.
What men in this age group commonly ask about
Questions about how PDE5 inhibitors interact with existing blood pressure or prostate medicines, and whether a longer-acting option like tadalafil suits a less spontaneous routine better than an on-demand tablet, come up often. Neither question has a single right answer — it comes down to your own health picture and a conversation with your prescriber.
The reassuring part
ED at 65 or 75 responds to treatment in broadly the same way it does at 35 — the medicine doesn't stop working because of a birthday. The main shift with age is simply doing a bit more homework first: knowing your other medicines, getting a general health check, and treating ED as one thread in your broader health picture rather than an isolated issue.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you're considering ED treatment, particularly alongside other regular medicines or health conditions, speak with a doctor first.
Frequently asked questions
Does ED treatment work differently for men over 60?+
The medicines work the same way at any adult age. What changes is context — older men are more likely to be on other regular medicines or have conditions worth checking first, which makes a doctor's review more valuable, not because the treatment itself behaves differently.
Is ED in your 60s or 70s always just 'getting older'?+
Not necessarily — it's common with age, but it can also be an early sign of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or low testosterone. That's a good reason to get it checked rather than assume it's simply unavoidable.
Can older men safely take sildenafil or tadalafil alongside blood pressure medicine?+
Often yes, but the combined effect on blood pressure is worth discussing with a doctor or pharmacist, especially given older men are statistically more likely to be on blood pressure treatment already.
Is a longer-acting option like tadalafil better for older men?+
Not inherently better — it suits a less time-pressured routine for some men, which some find preferable, but it's a personal-fit question rather than a medical requirement tied to age.
Kamagra AUS Health Editorial Team
Plain-English health writing from our in-house editorial team — sourced to the TGA, healthdirect and each medicine's product information, and focused on how Australians actually access and use medicines safely.
How our content is written & reviewedSources for the medical information in this guide
- Healthdirect Australia — Erectile dysfunction — Search "erectile dysfunction" for Australian guidance on causes, treatment options and when to see a doctor.
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