Many things change as people age. Your sex life should not be one of them.
Getting older usually means more wisdom, more experience, and a degree of self-awareness that can greatly enhance your life…including your sex life.
But it can also bring with it some physical limitations relative to maintaining a satisfying love life.
Read on to learn more about how these physical challenges associated with aging and sex can be addressed.
Hormone Health: The Key to a Healthy Libido
Men and women will both experience hormone decline as they age. No one escapes this reality.
For women, perimenopause and menopause will cause a decline in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When these hormones become deficient, sex drive and the ability to become aroused can be negatively impacted.
Men can start to experience testosterone decline and imbalances in estrogen levels beginning as early as in their late 20s. When testosterone levels are low and/or when estrogen is either too high or too low, the result is often low libido.
The good news is that properly administered hormone therapy can restore hormones to optimal levels, thereby restoring sex drive.
Sexual Dysfunction: The Thing No One Wants to Talk About
Until recently, almost no one wanted to talk openly about sexual dysfunction…in men or in women. Most people just suffered with these challenges in silence.
And yet, erectile dysfunction (ED) for men and painful intercourse for women are common sexual challenges for people as they age.
But these issues do not have to end your sex life. Today, there is hormone therapy, as well as medication options, that can restore sexual function.
Medications like sildenafil or tadalafil (known as PDE-5 inhibitors) can help men with erectile dysfunction and women with low arousal by enhancing blood flow to the genitals. The peptide PT-141 (also known as bremelanotide) can do the same.
Women who suffer from pain during intercourse due to vaginal dryness and tearing can get relief with vaginally applied estrogen.
Penile injections are available for men with more stubborn cases of ED.
And both sexes benefit from keeping testosterone and estrogen balanced to healthy levels.
The bottom line is that there are many tools in the toolbox when it comes to troubleshooting sexual dysfunction. Suffering in silence is unnecessary.
General Health: The Foundation for Sexual Vitality
Your overall physical health directly impacts your sexual health. Following are some lifestyle habits that can directly impact your sex life:
- Get regular exercise. Exercise improves blood flow, increases stamina, and boosts mood, all of which contribute to a more satisfying sex life. Cardiovascular exercise like walking, running, or swimming keeps your heart healthy, while resistance training helps to maintain strong muscles.
- Maintain a healthy diet. A balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats will support your overall health. Avoid processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and don’t smoke. Both habits can negatively affect sexual function.
- Get plenty of quality sleep. Fatigue is counterproductive when it comes to sex drive and sexual function.
Communication: The Foundation for Intimacy
Open and honest communication are essential for a healthy sex life…especially as people age. As time goes by, your sexual preferences and needs may change. It’s important to discuss these changes with your partner. Be open about what works for you and what doesn’t.
Clear communication can foster a deeper connection, helping you and your partner to feel valued and understood.
A Healthy Sex Life for Your Whole Life
Maintaining a satisfying sex life as you age is about more than just addressing physical changes. It takes a holistic approach that includes optimizing hormones, addressing sexual dysfunction, prioritizing healthy lifestyle habits, and open communication. Proactively attending to these areas can help you to maintain a fulfilling sex life for your whole life.
At Renew Youth we know that a satisfying sex life is important for your quality of life overall. We have been providing physician-supervised hormone therapy and treatment for sexual dysfunction to our clients for more than 25 years. Want to learn more? Call us at 800-859-7511 or use our easy contact form to schedule your free consultation.