Men: Sex and aging

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vo Thien Ngon - Urologist, Department of General Surgery, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
In fact, some of the physical changes that come with aging in men can affect sexual function. The desire for sex in men is less, the erection becomes more difficult and not as strong as in youth.
The good news is that there is still a solution to the sexual health concerns of aging in men. Some common problems and ways to restore sexual ability in older men include:

1. Low testosterone

1.1. Cause Testosterone is the hormone that gives men energy. After the age of 40, men's testosterone levels begin to decline, leading to a decrease in sex drive. If men lose their libido or have problems getting an erection, they may have a more serious health problem than low testosterone.
There are many causes for the decline in testosterone levels in the male body, including:
Type 2 diabetes; Cirrhosis; CKD ; Hormonal disorder; Testicular damage; Genetic problems; the effects of certain drugs; Being overweight or drinking too much alcohol. 1.2. Treatment Through blood tests, men will know if the level of testosterone in the body is low or not. If test results are accompanied by symptoms related to low testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help increase testosterone levels and return a man's sex drive to normal. Testosterone supplements are implanted long-term into men's bodies in the form of injections, tablets, patches, or gels.
1.3. Note However, testosterone therapy should be used for medical reasons rather than to combat the natural aging process. In March 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety notice stating that prescription testosterone supplements are only prescribed to men with low testosterone levels. low for medical reasons. The benefit and safety of these drugs have not been proven in the treatment of low testosterone levels caused by aging in men, even when symptoms are similar. The FDA requires manufacturers to clarify approved uses on drug labels, as well as to note the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients taking testosterone supplements.

2. Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction becomes more common with the aging process in men. Blood flow to the penis slows down with age, which means it takes more effort for men to get an erection. At the same time, the ability to maintain an erection during sexual intercourse in men is also impaired.
2.1. Causes However, aging in men is not the only cause of erection problems. Diabetes, heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure increase the risk of erectile dysfunction syndrome. These can be symptoms of these diseases as well as a number of other health problems.
In addition, other factors that increase the risk of erectile dysfunction include:
Stress or depression; Penile trauma; Hormonal disorder; the effects of certain drugs; Some types of surgery, such as surgery for prostate cancer. 2.2. Treatment There are many methods of treating erectile dysfunction in men, of which medical treatment is the most common. Some commonly prescribed medications are PDE-5 inhibitors (Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn, and Viagra), which help with erections by improving blood flow to the penis.
Besides, other treatment measures include:
Surgery; Vacuum pump; Inject the drug directly into the penis; Penile implant. In addition, a simple way that can help treat mild erectile dysfunction is to change sex positions in men. Specifically, the partner will lie or sit on top instead of the male having to take the active role as usual.
2.3. Prevention Regular exercise and keeping fit is also a way to prevent erectile dysfunction in men. Besides, adjusting a reasonable diet and staying away from tobacco also brings about the same beneficial effect.

3. Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

3.1. Symptoms Prostate enlargement is a common condition in aging men. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), also known as prostatic hyperplasia, is an abnormally enlarged prostate that compresses the urethra. This condition is not cancerous and does not increase the risk of cancer. However, prostate cancer causes a unique set of problems, the most common of which is affecting the ability to have sex in men, especially men after the age of 50.
Enlarged prostate also makes urinating more difficult. Therefore, patients often have to go to the toilet more often and urgently than before the appearance of aging in men. These lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) interfere with erections and their ability to maintain, as well as increase the rate of premature ejaculation. This causes men to lose their desire to have sex or reduce the level of satisfaction when having sex in men. In short, the more severe the urinary tract symptoms of aging in men, the worse the sex life.
3.2. Treatment Several medications can help control lower urinary tract symptoms for many men, including: alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), dutasteride (Avodart), finasteride (Proscar), silodosin (Rapaflo), tadalafil (Cialis), tamsulosin (Flomax), and terazosin (Hytrin). However, in severe cases, the patient may need surgery.

4. Cardiovascular disease

Many people are concerned that sex in older men could cause heart attacks. According to cardiologists, sexual activity can trigger a heart attack in people at high risk, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be in older men.
Cardiologists will check the medical history of the patient as well as the whole family to determine what tests you need to do. Therefore, elderly men should visit the hospital to learn about the possible risks and treatment, or be assured that the aging heart in men is okay for sex. . Thanks to that, gentlemen can stop worrying and continue to enjoy some alone time in the bedroom.
If men have a history of heart disease, a cardiologist can also give advice on when to have safe sex after heart attacks. In fact, subjects who had sex regularly had a much lower risk of heart attack than patients who had sex infrequently.
In summary, both sex drive and ability in men can decline with age, although many people over the age of 70 can still enjoy "afternoon pleasure". Therefore, even if you are experiencing any form of dysfunction related to aging in men, it is also the first thing that men should do when talking to a doctor during a physical examination. . And if the aging process in men makes it impossible for them to have a great sex life, taking care of their own health and giving a lot of love to their spouse is also a way to improve quality. quality of life of older gentlemen.

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Reference source: webmd.com; verywellhealth.com