I'm a very healthy active guy - but started using Cialis at about 55. I'm not sure that I always need it - but Cialis is also prescribed for BPH (enlarged prostate) and is being investigated for heart health - like a daily does of aspirin.

There is no set age, and a lot depends on his stress levels and overall health. I had trouble with it somewhere around the age of 38 due to high blood pressure and stress. Everything straightened out (no pun intended) a couple of years later. I'm 57 now and still don't have any problems getting hard without pills.

I started having ED problems in my late 40's. Not so much a problem with getting an erection, but rather maintaining it. I had my first of several "cardiac events", in my early 50's and within a year or so my ability to have sex, nocturnal erections, etc. had reached zero. I finally summoned up the nerve to mention it to one of my doctors who just replyed I was not getting any younger.

Soon after that I had an appointment with an other Dr, and I brought it up again. He just smiled and said he wondered when I was going to bring up that subject. He went on to explain that ED is very common in patients with cardiac issues, especially blocked arteries. That is one sign he often looks for in the possiblity of coronary disease. He went on to explain that many of the drugs I am now on also contribute greatly to erection problems.

He gave me 6 months of samples for Viagra and said if it worked, let him know and he would gladly give me more. Fortunately they worked great, I felt like I was 30 again.

So depending on your definition of elderly, yes SOME men do have problems getting hard, and it can come at any age.

The most important part is to get it checked out by a doctor as there is a great possibility that something else very serious could be causing it.