Regardless of age, sexual health is still an important part of life. Age shouldn’t serve as a hindrance to having good sexual health and healthy sex life. The benefits of sex are not only for the youth, but it’s also for adults and people of old age. It is normal for people to feel a lesser interest in sex as they age and for men to have an erection that isn’t as firm as before. They may also find it hard to get stimulated during sexual activity and this is because the testosterone levels drop as men age. The sex hormone testosterone fuels a man’s sex drive so, if there is a decline in the testosterone level, there will also be a reduction in the interest of men in sex.
WHAT ARE THE CHANGES IN THE SEXUAL HEALTH AND SEX LIFE OF MEN OVER 40?
The testosterone level is higher in your adolescent years and highest in your 20s. The drop in the testosterone level varies from one person to another. Some may have a faster drop in their testosterone level while others may only have a 1% reduction in their testosterone every year depending on the age. Therefore, men have different sex performance and sex drive after their younger years. Men may suffer from the following after as they get older.
Erectile dysfunction
ED or erectile dysfunction is common among men. It is usually caused by low testosterone levels and can be treated with erection pills and testosterone boosters and supplements. Still, the cause of erectile dysfunction isn’t only because of low testosterone levels; it can be caused by other more serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, obesity, neurological and nerve disorders, etc.
Low T level or low testosterone level
As mentioned earlier, a low T level is common as you age. The testosterone level drops faster for some men, which may be caused by health conditions or hormone disorders. If the testicle is damaged, it can also lower the testosterone level of men. The treatment also depends on the cause of the condition, if it is due to natural causes, the testosterone level can be treated with testosterone booster pills. However, if it is due to health conditions, then taking testosterone booster pills is not advised without the recommendation of a doctor as it may worsen your health condition more.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate
Prostrate growth is also another normal thing for men as they age. It is not a threat because it is not cancer and will not cause cancer in the future, although it can create certain problems that can cause any complications with a man’s sex life. The symptoms of an enlarged prostate can lead and increase the risk for premature ejaculation and make the person unsatisfied with sex because of the inability to enjoy it. Their sex drive may also lessen.
HOW DO MEN OVER 40 STILL MANAGE TO HAVE A GREAT SEX DRIVE AND SEX LIFE?
Men do not stop producing the hormone testosterone. It is just reduced as they age which is why men still have an active libido regardless of their age. The libido is only affected if the person is unhealthy, stressed, or suffers from health conditions that may reduce the sex drive of a person. Aging men may have shorter orgasms, harder to stimulate during sexual activity, lesser semen, and a longer time interval for another erection to occur. The hindrance to enjoyable sex life in your 40s is due to chronic health conditions and having poor health. These hindrances make it harder to feel intimacy and have sex challenging especially if you’re aging, but men over 40 still manage to enjoy their sex lives by maintaining a healthy diet and keeping themselves free from health conditions as much as possible. However, if they are already diagnosed with any health conditions, they have it treated as soon as they are aware of it to avoid any further complications. They also discuss openly with their partner about what they desire whenever they are sexually intimate towards each other so both can satisfy each other while enjoying their sex life more. They also seek help from sex therapists for any concerns and stays away from anything unhealthy. They practice a healthy lifestyle where they eat nutritious foods and stays away from alcohol, nicotine, and other illegal drug use. Exercise also helps them improve their sex performance, body weight, and energy. Sex also has benefits that can still be beneficial to people of old age. The need for sex and intimacy is not only felt throughout the younger years. As people age, it is still important for men to engage in sexual activities once in a while to release heat because the benefits of sex include lowering the blood pressure, a stronger immune system lowers the risk for cardiovascular-related disease, improves the mental health, and self-confidence, natural pain relief, regulates sleep, gives pleasure, lessens the risk for prostate cancer, burns calories, regulates blood flow, etc. Sex can also make you look younger by keeping your skin elastic, reducing wrinkles, and firming muscles. With these benefits, it is undeniable that having sex is important regardless of the person’s age.
CONCLUSION
Intimacy is important regardless of age. Sex and intimacy are needed more as the person ages not only because of the countless benefits, but it also strengthens their relationship with their partner by strengthening their emotional communication, trust, bond, commitment, and affection. These are vital for keeping a relationship intact and healthy. Should there be any sex problems between a couple, they should seek help from a sex therapist, or openly communicate what they want during sexual activities to be able to satisfy each other better. Sometimes, the root of the argument of some couples is a poor sex performance. Enhancing it will not only prevent future arguments but can also strengthen their relationship and health.