Erectile Dysfunction

Men go through many changes as they age, but most still desire sexual pleasure. However, sex can seem different for some men after age 50. Sex is a type of physical activity. As men get older, they tend to transition from intense activities, like football and basketball, to leisurely activities like golf. The same thing can happen in an older man’s sex life. What once felt like the Fourth of July now feels more like a relaxing Thanksgiving dinner. Fortunately, older men can still have passionate sex. If you’ve reached your 50th birthday, here are five tips that can help you improve your sex life.

Learn to accept change.

Some older men notice that it takes longer to get a strong erection. Simply thinking about sex may not be enough anymore. You have to be sexually stimulated by your partner. It may also be more difficult to maintain a firm erection. Even minor distractions and interruptions can result in less firmness. It’s important to realize that these changes are perfectly normal. Many older men worry about erectile dysfunction. However, performance anxiety will only exacerbate the issue. Try to relax and enjoy the fact that you can still experience sexual pleasure. Talk to your partner and ask for the type of stimulation that excites you.

If you experience a sudden change in sexual function, it’s important to get advice from a physician. Certain medical conditions, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease can cause erection problems. In many cases, erection problems will disappear once the underlying condition is treated. However, if you’re diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, it’s not the end of your sex life. Erectile dysfunction is a treatable condition. Men can choose from several FDA-approved medications that have the ability to restore healthy sexual function.

Realize that many things are still the same. Premature ejaculation is an issue for many younger men. According to a study conducted at the University of Chicago, approximately 33 percent of men under 50 suffer from premature ejaculation at least one time per year. However, older men may also experience premature ejaculation. In fact, an additional study found that approximately 30 percent of men age 50 to 70 experience premature ejaculation at least once a year.

Premature ejaculation may be caused by anxiety and over stimulation

When men are anxious, the nervous system goes into overdrive, which can trigger premature ejaculation. Younger men are often anxious about sex. However, older men can experience performance anxiety too. Ironically, if you’re worried about maintaining an erection, it can actually cause you to climax too soon. Try to relax and enjoy the experience.

If you suffer from premature ejaculation, it’s a good idea to take breaks from direct penile stimulation during sexual activity. Some older men forget that they can enjoy erotic pleasure all over their bodies. Try engaging in erotic massage and whole-body foreplay with your partner. These activities can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, prevent over stimulation, and prolong your sexual pleasure.

Expand your sexual horizons.

Younger men typically focus on sexual intercourse. However, older men and women may enjoy a variety of sexual activities that don’t involve penetration. Many older men are dealing with some type of erectile dysfunction that makes it difficult to have sex. Meanwhile, older women are experiencing vaginal dryness and inflammation that can make sexual intercourse feel painful instead of pleasurable. For these reasons, many mature couples prefer to engage in other sexual activities, including erotic massage, foreplay, role-playing, and oral sex. By expanding your sexual horizons, you and your partner can enjoy sexual pleasure without even having intercourse.

You don’t always need erectile dysfunction medication.

FDA-approved erectile dysfunction medications can help men get and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse. However, not all men need to use these drugs during every sexual encounter. Many people think that men over age 50 take erectile dysfunction medications on a regular basis. That isn’t always the case. When you expand your sexual horizons to include other experiences, you may not always need a firm erection. Erectile dysfunction medications can enhance your sex life, but that doesn’t mean you have to take them every day.

Older men are in sync with women.

Younger men have the ability to get aroused quickly. However, that isn’t always great news for women. Many younger men climax before their partner becomes sexually aroused. Older men need more time to warm up. While it might feel disconcerting to you at first, it can actually benefit your partner. Older couples tend to experience sexual harmony. In fact, many couples over 65 enjoy fulfilling sex lives. It will come to you naturally if you embrace the changes that come with age.