Can You Still Be Sexually Active at an Older Age?
The Connection Between Age and Erectile Dysfunction
Did you know that erectile dysfunction, or ED for short, is one of the most common sexual problems men struggle with? It is also no secret that ED and sexual dysfunction occurs greatly in men as they get older.
However, many do not realize that ED, previously known as impotence, is not necessarily a natural part of aging. Some older men do not need to pop Viagra, while other younger guys may be rushing to the chemist for a dose to get things heated up in the bedroom.
Some of the most common reasons for erectile dysfunction are health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
Older men have sex issues because health problems become more prevalent with age. If you struggle with low libido and want to boost your sex drive, here is everything you need to know to help get your mojo back.
Why Is Erectile Dysfunction a Problem?
As you age, you know that you will benefit from the wonderful things that come with age. With every birthday, you gain a lot of life experience, wisdom, and maybe even discounted cinema and public transport tickets.
The last thing you deserve is a part of your body betraying you when you need it the most.
It is not fair to have another problem added to the list of worries you might have. The good news is that although sexual dysfunction happens more often with age, it is not written in stone.
There are men in their 80s who can get erections without trying at all, while a 30-year-old could have trouble getting it up.
Why Does ED Happen?
Erectile dysfunction occurs when you cannot maintain an erection for long. This can affect your sex life and senior sexual health since your erections will not be firm to last long under the sheets.
It is no wonder that men with this condition suffer from low libido because it would kill anyone’s sex drive. You may also feel nervous to talk about this with your current or future partners.
There has always been a stigma around erectile dysfunction, especially with many jokes about it in movies and TV shows. However, this medical condition should be taken very seriously to have a healthy sex drive.
On average, a man over 40 would have a 40% chance of experiencing impotence. This is a high figure, which is why getting older feels more terrifying than it should.
This risk of sexual dysfunction can increase by 10% for every decade of your life. For instance, when you turn 50, you have a 50% chance of experiencing ED and 70% if you have recently marked your 70th birthday with a delicious cake.
Remember, the first thing you need to do when affected by ED is to contact your healthcare provider. This will help you determine if something else is going on with your health that prevents you from a firm, long enough erection.
Health Conditions Causing Sexual Dysfunction
The most common cause of erectile dysfunction in men over 45 is atherosclerosis. This is a heart condition caused by hardened arteries. The older you get, the less flexible the lining of your arteries becomes.
This is also one of the reasons why doctors always recommend people over a specific age focus on healthy diets while quitting smoking. Your arteries will stop expanding easily to let your blow flow to different parts of the body.
This lack of blood flow affects your penis, so you cannot get an erection. You may also have plaque buildup in your arteries caused by high cholesterol if you enjoy overeating poutine with cheese and gravy.
Any buildup in your arteries will cut the blood supply to your penis, and then you will rarely get it up. One of the best things to do in this situation is to cut back on all the foods you eat with a high cholesterol level.
You may miss your favourite restaurants, but your new and improved sex will make up for all those other cravings when your penis stops betraying you.
Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure means that your blood gets pumped through your vessels more aggressively. Although this may seem like an alpha move, it is the last thing anyone wants.
This can narrow your blood vessels, especially if you are a senior. Then you may struggle with stroke and heart disease that can also cause severe erectile dysfunction. A stroke can also result in neurological damage that heavily contributes to ED.
Cancer
Cancer treatment for seniors can lead to various psychological and physical problems. It can easily lead to erectile dysfunction because your body is weakened by the surgery and cancer symptoms.
Although the recovery process shows improvement, elderly patients need to communicate with their health providers to discuss the benefits of Viagra Canada and how it can positively transform their lives if they are at a low point.
Depression
Depression knows no age. Even though you may see much younger TikTokkers and Instagrammers speaking about anxieties and depression while taking lots of time off to heal, senior citizens shy away from admitting that they also have mental health issues.
There is some truth in saying that mental barriers can also cause erectile dysfunction. If you struggle with performance anxiety, depression, or other relationship problems, your ED problem may be in your head.
For instance, some older adults may not be intimate with their partners for a long time. This can happen if you have been married to someone for too long and get stuck in a rut together while working full time and raising children.
The pressure to perform or initiate sexual acts can be daunting if you are not hitting the sack regularly.
Other Lifestyle Factors with Age
ED can also be a side effect of certain medications. If your doctor has prescribed antidepressants or painkillers that kill your morning wood, you need to let them know about it.
Then your health practitioner can switch medications or change your dose to help you get your groove back. Otherwise, everything overrides your penis’ capacity to rise and shine, and no one should have to live that way forever.
Older men also do not get enough exercise, while they may have played a lot of sports when they were younger. Living a sedentary life causes more inflammation and less blood flow. Plan a light exercise and stick to it daily, and you can feel the difference.
The lack of exercise can also cause a lot of weight gain, negatively impacting erections. Obesity also lowers confidence, leading to depression because the harder you try, the harder it becomes to have a good time in bed.
It would be best if you also strayed from excessive drinking. No matter how many incredible happy hours your favourite cigar club hosts, drinking more than two alcoholic beverages a day can significantly contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Finally, it would help if you always went for regular medical checkups to ensure that your ED doesn’t result from physical conditions like damaged nerves, multiple sclerosis, or a spinal cord injury.
It is always best to get these ruled out by your doctor to begin treating yourself emotionally and physically to benefit from a fulfilling erection.
Read more: Intimacy Without Penetration: What To Know About Affection Vs. ED
Treating Senior Erectile Dysfunction
There are several options for men with ED. Some of the most common treatments are:
- Oral Medications
- Non-Oral Medications
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy
- Natural Remedies
- Lifestyle Changes
- Penis Pumps or Cock Rings
- Penis Implants
The first step your doctor may recommend is a dose of oral medications. This is one of the most highly effective treatments for improving senior sex life.
You can also get your hands on non-oral medications that can be directly injected into your penis to cause an instant erection. Since this may seem a bit extreme, you can opt for natural remedies instead.
However, not every treatment involves ingesting something into your body. If you are not comfortable taking too many medications, you can also try penis pumps, implants, or cock rings to try and restore some sexual function.
It would help if you also made lifestyle changes like improving your diet and exercising. Remember that erections are always best when you are healthy.
Even something as simple as giving up high cholesterol foods, going for brisk walks or jogs, and limiting alcohol consumption can get you in the mood in no time.
Read more: How To Get Viagra In Canada? Do You Need A Prescription?
Get Erect Again
Now that you know everything about erectile dysfunction and how it affects your sex, you should speak to your doctor to determine which treatment option would be best for you.
Start by making a list of all the lifestyle changes you need and consistently stay on top of your goals. Avoid being too hard on yourself and know that experiencing ED is never anyone’s fault.
Moreover, it is never too late to get an erection, no matter how old you are. Check out our proudly Canadian ED medications here or email hello@upguys.com to find more information.
