Sex and Aging: What You Need to Know
Things change with age…we all know this. Unfortunately, changes affecting sex are no exception.
In particular, people can experience changes that affect sexual arousal and performance, including:
- Lower sex drive
- Difficulty reaching orgasm
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Vaginal dryness in women
These issues shouldn’t be ignored for one obvious reason: sex provides people with a lot of enjoyment. But did you know that your sex life is important for more than just pleasure? Studies have shown that a healthy sex life can affect your health overall and could even affect how long you live. But…people must be sexually active on a regular basis for these benefits to accrue.
What is it about sex that makes it so beneficial to your health? For starters, it can improve your sleep. It also reduces stress and lowers blood pressure. Sex can even strengthen your immune system. For women, regular intercourse can go a long way toward improving bladder control.
The bottom line is…don’t give up on your sex life. It’s worth preserving for pleasure and for your health. Here are some important things know:
Stay in Shape
Like any physical activity, enjoyable sex requires being in good shape.
This doesn’t mean you have to be ultra-athletic. But you do need to have a healthy cardiovascular system.
Try to get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise as many days per week as you can. Mixing in at least a few days of resistance training per week will help, too.
And while you’re at it…make sure you maintain a healthy diet.
Embrace Your Changes
None of us look the same as we did when we were 20. And that’s okay.
The important thing is to maintain a positive self-image…and be supportive of your significant other. Remember…these changes can be a valuable reflection of shared experience.
Get Your Rest
This works in two ways.
Sleep is when your mind and body repair and rejuvenate themselves. And a rested body can have more and better sex.
At the same time, studies have shown that people who have regular sex tend to get more and better sleep.
It’s a win-win.
So…make sure you emphasize getting a good night’s sleep. And if you can’t fall asleep, having sex might help.
Problems Have Solutions
From erectile dysfunction in men to vaginal dryness in women to issues with libido and orgasm for men and women…as we get older, the barriers to a healthy sex life can start to feel insurmountable.
The good news? These problems have solutions…
It’s All About Your Hormones
Loss of sex drive and sexual function usually boils down to age-related changes in two key hormones: testosterone and estrogen.
As men age, their testosterone production declines. The result is low sex drive. In addition to low testosterone, men frequently suffer from excess estrogen as they get older. This can also put a damper on libido. And both issues can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Men who have low testosterone and elevated estrogen are getting a double whammy in terms of issues with desire and function.
Women, on the other hand, stop producing estrogen during menopause. The result is less vaginal blood flow. This causes lower arousal, vaginal dryness, and pain during sex (with the latter being an arousal killer in and of itself). Declining testosterone production also contributes to declining libido in women.
But there’s good news. Hormone replacement therapy can balance your hormones to healthy levels, thereby restoring your sex drive and your ability to perform.
At Renew Youth, we can help you to regain your sex life through hormone replacement therapy and other solutions. Call us at 800-859-7511 or use our contact form to set up your free 30-minute consultation
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