Aging and the Male
Sex Drive
Sex and desire are an extremely important part of intimate relationships
among adults. Many men, however, suffer from a low sex drive, which
can greatly impair the quality of any romantic relationship. This
can mean either that the man no longer wants to initiate sex or
that he feels little or no desire to respond when his partner initiates
sex.
Causes of Low Sex Drive
There are a variety of things that can affect a man’s
sex drive. One of the most common causes of a decrease in sex drive
is simply aging. There are essentially three factors that drive
sex drive down as we age: a decrease in testosterone, psychological
changes associated with aging, and physical changes associated with
aging.
Pain
Pain caused by the onset of arthritis, muscle soreness, or other
sources can make sex unenjoyable and thus decrease a man’s
desire.
Fatigue
Fatigue or tiredness can impair sexual desire. Fatigue can be triggered
by any number of factors including: physical exertion, medication,
or psychological problems (like stress and depression).
Surgery
Men who undergo surgery may refrain from sexual intimacy because
of a fear of pain or impotence or because they view themselves as
sexually unattractive. Prostatectomy (removal of all or part of
the prostrate) for example may not affect a man’s physical
ability to be intimate but also may cause the loss of his ability
to control the bladder. Thus men who experience incontenence may
be fearful of losing bladder control during sexual intercourse.
Alcohol and Drugs
The use of alcohol and drugs (legal and illegal) can adversely affect
a man’s sex drive. Alcohol for example, can cause erection
problems and increase the amount of time necessary to achieve orgasm.
Also, certain blood pressure, antidepressants, and diabetes regulating
medications are well known to decrease men’s sex drive.
Psychological Problems and Stress
A low sex drive can be a product of a man’s poor emotional
health. This can be caused by a number of things including: job
related stress; marital or relationship problems; sexuality issues;
traumatic sexual experiences (such as molestation or rape); an unwilling
sexual partner (your sexual partner no longer desires sex and therefore
you intern start to lose your desire as well); boredom; or possibly
a belief that you are or have become physically unattractive (it’s
not just women who worry about their appearance as they age - thus
the new booming market for male cosmetics).
Low Testosterone
A decrease in testosterone production often occurs in men as they
age. One of the symptoms of this decrease in the body’s testosterone
levels is a decline sex drive. Along with a decrease in sex drive
men with low testosterone may also experience angst, lack of concentration,
and possibly hot flashes (funny enough, symptoms that are generally
associated with Women going through menopause).
So what are some treatments for low sex drive? > Next
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