It is beneficial to maintain our enthusiasm as we age. The importance of sexual wellness to our general health has been well-documented. Whether you engage in sexual activity with a partner or not, it can help you lose weight, build muscle, lower your blood pressure, and perhaps even lower your risk of heart disease.
Moreover, it has been connected to increased immunity, improved sleep, and headache relief. What occurs to sexual behaviour in older people? As the number of birthday candles on your cake increases, this question probably comes to everyone’s mind. It’s no secret that growing older presents its own difficulties, including several changes that may influence our sexual health. Read this article to find out more.
Table of contents:
- What changes do men’s bodies undergo as they age?
- What should men over 50 know about sexual health?
- How can physical health affect sexuality?
- What are some psychosocial differences in intimacy once a man hits 50?
- How can men over 50 improve their sexual performance?
- Tips to improve sex life for men in their 50s
- Conclusion
What changes do men’s bodies undergo as they age?
At what age does a man’s libido start to decline? Men can experience a drop in sexual drive after age 50, while the specific reason why is unknown. Erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes known as impotence is one of the most depressing sexual side effects of getting older for men. An erection may be harder to get for a man with ED and may not last as long. Another typical occurrence is premature ejaculation, often known as orgasmic dysfunction.
In addition, prostate alterations that affect sexual health may affect older males. A gland that typically becomes bigger with age is the prostate. If it happens, it could result in urinary symptoms, including a persistent urge to pee. Prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as prostate inflammation (prostatitis) are other common conditions in elderly men. Sexual adverse effects may be brought on by the disorder itself or by treatments (e.g., hormone therapy).
What should men over 50 know about sexual health?
Let’s start by defining sexual health. In actuality, we’re discussing both your physical well-being as well as your ability to engage in healthy sexual activity. This entails keeping the penis, testicles, as well as prostate in good shape. It also includes having a fulfilling sexual life, ejaculating normally, and being able to get and maintain an erection. Depending on your general sexual health as you age, sex beyond 50 can change.
In the end, society does not do enough to emphasise the significance of sexual health for males after the age of 50. Anxiety and depression are only two of the health issues that can result from a loss of libido. It may also affect a man’s partnership. The good thing is that men can take measures to enhance their sexual health. They include leading a healthy lifestyle, scheduling routine physicals, controlling their stress levels, as well as being transparent with their partners.
You might also be interested in: Tantric Exercises for Men: Enhance your Sexual Health
How can physical health affect sexuality?
Both general health, as well as sexual health are intertwined. Your libido, level of arousal, as well as capacity to experience an orgasm can all be directly impacted by certain medical conditions and the medications you use to treat them. These are a few concrete examples.
Chronic conditions/diseases
- Diabetes can lead to ED in males as well as vaginal yeast infections in females.
- Blood flow to organs can be impacted by heart illness, which can cause issues with arousal.
- Because incontinence increases abdominal pressure and the potential for urine leakage, it can interfere with a woman’s ability to engage in sexual activity.
- Sexual interaction might be awkward or painful if you have arthritis or chronic pain.
- Physical restrictions brought on by obesity may make having sex more challenging. It can also have a detrimental impact on a person’s sense of self-worth as well as confidence, which may make it harder for them to feel aroused. Diabetes, as well as microvascular disease are two more chronic health diseases associated with obesity that have a secondary sexual effect.
- Loss of interest in intimacy as well as sex can result from depression.
Medications
- Blood flow can be hampered by blood pressure drugs, which lowers libido. Moreover, it may hinder erections as well as ejaculation. Certain blood pressure medications lead to depressive symptoms and reduced testosterone levels.
- Antidepressants have been linked to decreased libido, ineffective ejaculation, as well as ED.
- Because they have a sedative impact, benzodiazepines can reduce sex drive as well as hinder the creation of testosterone. They are also reported to interfere with ejaculation.
- It has been demonstrated that the vital sex hormones testosterone, as well as estrogen are inhibited by statins as well as fibrates. Moreover, they may contribute to muscular tissue breakdown, which results in tiredness plus joint pain.
Medical procedures
- Urinary incontinence, as well as prostatectomy, or the removal of the prostate, have been linked.
- It is well known that hormone therapy for prostate cancer results in decreased libido, enlarged breasts, as well as atrophy of the penis and testicles.
What are some psychosocial differences in intimacy once a man hits 50?
1. Sexual dysfunction
As people become older, it gets harder and harder to get and keep a good penile erection, which is important to enjoy sexual activity. The risk of ED in men rises with age, as well a 33 percent of men between the ages of 50 and 64 have it, according to the most recent figures. The risk of acquiring ED rises to 44 percent in males between the ages of 65 and 85. However, more than 50% of men never experience this problem. Other frequent grievances include:
- Early ejaculation.
- Ejaculation in reverse (specifically in the setting of prostate-related surgeries).
- Less powerful erection.
- Poor endurance and strength.
According to professionals, it does have a benefit. Based on a recent study, researchers concluded that males over the age of 50 are more inclined to discover their sexuality as well as sexual interests. This is advantageous since men increasingly seek ways to materialise their wildest desires to overcome their weakening libido and sex drive.
2. Partner’s emotional attachment
Men over 50 are said to have more fulfilling relationships with their partners. A portion of this is related to a drop in testosterone (the wild hormone). Contrarily, oxytocin serum levels in both men, as well as women, remain stable with ageing physiologically. Oxytocin, sometimes referred to as the “bonding hormone,” encourages sentiments of trust, connection, as well as loyalty.
According to several studies, an increase in oxytocin levels in the blood (after an intranasal spray) can keep men from being attracted to or seeing other women by keeping them at a social distance.
3. To feel motivated, more intense stimulation is required
Some guys over the age of 50 find it challenging to be aroused by their sexual ideas as well as thoughts. In other words, the majority of men require some form of physical excitation, such as fondling the penile area. The rhythm also needs time and consistent stimulation to develop, and any interruption can cause wilting.
The ability to experience orgasm is unaffected by erectile dysfunction. It is important to note. Without actually performing the sexual act, kissing, fondling, massaging, snuggling, and even the use of sex toys might aid in eliciting orgasm.
4. Reduced sexual vitality as well as low sexual vigor
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, researchers tested testosterone on 788 male participants older than 65 years old across 12 states. According to the study’s findings, individuals had a mean testosterone level of 275 ng/dL and clear signs of sexual dysfunction, including diminished vigor, a weak libido, as well as a lack of desire to engage in sexual activity.
How can men over 50 improve their sexual performance?
- Healthcare professionals firmly think that small modifications to your food and lifestyle can have a significant impact on your libido as well as sexual desire.
- Investigate novel concepts and techniques to spice up your sexual life.
- Losing a few extra pounds can also enhance your libido if you are overweight as well as obese.
- To get back to your usual quality of life, you can also consult with a sex therapist.
- To find out more about the best management/treatment choices for your sexual needs, talk to your doctor.
- Stamina plus energy levels can be improved with regular physical activity. Moreover, clinical evidence suggests that strength training, as well as resistance training exercises, encourage steroidogenesis or the body’s manufacture of steroids.
After a certain age, maintaining a healthy as well as productive sexual connection becomes increasingly important. Moreover, it meets emotional, bodily, as well as social requirements in addition to sexual ones. Researchers claimed that loneliness or social isolation could increase mortality in a study published in The FASEB Journal.
You might also be interested in: Psychology of Male Sexuality – How Men´s Sexuality Works
Tips to improve sex life for men in their 50s
1. The use of medication
The very first treatment for erectile dysfunction is a prescription medication, such as Viagra, Levitra, as well as Cialis, and these can be quite successful. Both your primary care physician as well as an urologist can prescribe them.
2. Observe your weight
Vascular issues that affect your erections can be brought on by high blood pressure, high blood sugar, as well as excessive cholesterol. Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are vital parts of living a healthy lifestyle. Preventing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol may decrease the frequency of erection issues or, at the very least, delay their beginning.
3. If necessary, have your heart examined
What happens if you already have a pre-existing illness, such as diabetes or high blood pressure? While pills still have some effectiveness, your doctor may wish to get your heart examined. Before prescribing these medications, doctors must ensure that heart function is normal, according to psychologist Dr. Brendza. The cause is that erection issues may be a sign of more serious issues, like severe heart disease.
4. Do not assume that it is low testosterone
Several specialists worry that too many men are receiving testosterone replacement therapy. Yet, hormones may play a role in a decline in desire. Checking your testosterone levels can be useful if you’re having erection problems. According to Dr. Brendza, your doctor must look into and treat the causes of your low testosterone as well as lack of sexual drive.
5. Think about counselling
Psychological treatment may be an option because sexual problems like low libido as well as erectile dysfunction might have an emotional component. It’s critical to take into account the potential that a psychological problem may be the root of your sexual difficulties. Men’s sexual troubles might be exacerbated by anxiety, depression, life stress, as well as relationship issues.
6. If your sexual desires aren’t matching, talk to your spouse
Couples frequently have contrasting sex desires. If such is the case, couples should be open and honest about their sexual priorities and work to find a solution that will satisfy both of their desires.
In a sexual relationship, “one partner may wish to concentrate more on intimacy, while others may choose to concentrate more on the erectile components of sexual activity,” explains Dr. Brendza.
You might want to try physical, oral, as well as mechanical kinds of stimulation to suit each other’s requirements, as intimacy, as well as pleasure, can be felt in a variety of ways other than through sexual contact. Try your best to be willing to try new things. In other words, find out what your partner wants before expressing your own.
7. Make time for sex
The strains and demands of daily life can prevent men from engaging in sex as they get older. Even if the approaches alter with time, couples must make time to savour their connection as well as encourage continued intimacy. Couples can experience a healthy intimate connection long into their 70s or even 80s when this occurs.
Conclusion
No matter your age, you may get your sex life back on track by paying attention to a few pointers and suggestions. For instance, you could use a vaginal dilator or additional lubricant. Non-penetrative sex should occasionally be taken into consideration as an alternative. Also, it’s crucial to place more emphasis on foreplay and other original approaches to avoiding monotony and habit. If you have other issues and difficult challenges to conquer, a sex therapist would be helpful.
