Yes, it's common for testicles to gradually get smaller with age, a process called testicular atrophy, as testosterone production and overall reproductive function decline after peak years, usually around age 30, though the change is often subtle and natural. This shrinkage is a normal part of aging, but significant or sudden changes warrant a doctor's visit to rule out other conditions.
Testicular Atrophy: The testicles may shrink in size as men get older. This reduction in size is often associated with decreased hormone production and reduced spermatogenic activity.
As you get older, the muscles don't work as well, and your scrotum stays in a more slackened position. Combine that with your skin's natural decline in elasticity, and the sagging gets worse. If you're over 40, a hydrocele can also make your scrotum sag.
Some causes include age, alcohol use, anabolic steroid use, testosterone replacement therapy, direct damage to the testicles, and infection. Diagnosis of testicular atrophy includes physical examination of the testicles as well as imaging to measure testicular volume.
Testicular volume (a measure of testicle size) is directly related to sperm count. This means smaller testicles tend to produce less sperm. Up to one-quarter of young men aged 18-19 have low testicular volume, or smaller-than-normal testicles. This puts their future fertility at risk, Cannarella said.
Adults' testicles range in size range in size from about 15 mL to 35 mL (like a small chicken egg). If you've noticed a difference between your left and right testicle, remember it's common for one testicle be a bit bigger than the other and for one testicle hang slightly lower.
Testicular atrophy can be treated. If diagnosed early enough, it can be easily reversed. However, if it is left till a later stage, it may not be reversible. Treatment depends largely on the factors triggering the atrophy.
Yes, a 70-year-old man can still get an erection, though it's more common to experience some erectile dysfunction (ED) due to aging, health conditions (like heart disease, diabetes), medications, or lifestyle factors, but effective treatments and lifestyle changes can help manage this and maintain sexual function. Erections might take longer to develop, be less firm, or require more stimulation, but persistent difficulty achieving a satisfactory erection isn't a normal part of aging and can often be addressed by a doctor.
See a GP if:
The testicles are oval in shape, and are usually about 4–5 cm long, 3 cm wide and 2 cm thick. One testicle is often slightly larger than the other. This is usually normal and nothing to worry about. However, if you notice that one testicle has enlarged you should ask your doctor to check it.
Though women's natural fertility ends with menopause, giving us a defined period of time to study, men continue to produce sperm until the very end of their lives, making pregnancy possible from the sperm of 50-year-olds (and 80-year-olds).
The most popular and effective methods for permanently increasing penile girth are surgical fat grafts, surgical implant placement, or non-surgical hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injections. All of these procedures can effectively increase penile girth.
But the good news is, outside of a few specific medical concerns, there really is no such thing as a shrinking penis. The widespread idea that the penis can shrink with age is largely a misperception. Research shows that men tend to inflate the length and girth of their penises.
The penis starts developing between the ages of 10 and 14 under the influence of growth hormones. You need to adapt to these changes to transition into adulthood. The penis will stop developing between the ages of 16 and 21 when it has reached its standard size. The penis changes both in size and function.
More than half (54%) of men and almost a third (31%) of women over the age of 70 reported they were still sexually active, with a third of these men and women having frequent sex – meaning at least twice a month – according to data from the latest wave of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA).
It's natural for men to notice a gradual decrease in sex drive (libido) as they age. The degree of this decline varies. But most men maintain at least some amount of sexual interest into their 60s and 70s. But sometimes loss of sex drive is related to an underlying condition.
With aging, ejaculation takes longer. Psychological conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Medical conditions, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis. Certain medical treatments, such as prostate surgery.
Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
Kegel exercises aren't just for women—they help men strengthen the muscles that support the testicles. By incorporating daily Kegel exercises, you can improve muscle tone, which may help counteract sagging over time.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for late-onset hypogonadism. In addition to adverse events such as polycythemia, it is reported that TRT may cause testicular atrophy due to decreased gonadotropin; however, there are no reported studies that have actually observed the degree of atrophy.
Low Testosterone (Hypogonadism)
One of the most common hormonal causes of smaller testicles is low testosterone, a condition where the body doesn't produce enough of this critical male hormone. Some men with low testosterone may notice a reduction in testicular size.
Adult testicles range in size from about 15 mL (similar to a bird egg) to 35 mL (similar to a small chicken egg). One testicle may be slightly larger than the other.
How should my testicles look and feel? A healthy testicle has a firm and smooth surface, but doesn't feel hard. You might have one testicle slightly bigger than the other. This is normal.