Men

When Should Older Men Stop Having Sex?

It’s true that getting older often brings benefits like greater experience and a more refined perspective on life. But from a purely physical point of view, most people associate aging with wrinkles, reduced athletic capability, and a decrease in sexual performance. But sexual dysfunction and age aren’t as clearly connected as you might think, with some men maintaining sexual activity well into old age. 

Since sexual activity inevitably changes over time, when should men stop having sex? The good news is that, generally speaking, you don’t have to stop! People’s sexual appetites and capabilities vary because everyone’s aging process and sexuality are at least somewhat unique. But what happens if your body is exhibiting symptoms that make it harder to have sex as you age? Let’s take a closer look at some of these issues and how to treat and mitigate them.

Sexuality Changes Over Time

It can take older men more time to become aroused, and they may need longer recovery times after orgasming. Erectile dysfunction is also quite common as men age, with up to two-thirds of men over 70 years old reporting symptoms. From a medical perspective, this is often related to declining testosterone levels, and can also be affected by many age-related conditions and the medications used to mitigate them. 

Intimacy is crucial for everyone, including older men. In addition to adjusting medications and how men may treat their other physical health conditions, it also useful for older men to change how they think about sexual performance. For example, if age or health-related problems prevent  or reduce your sexual performance, it’s often a great idea to focus more on sexual activities that don’t need an erection or ejaculation to be pleasurable.

How to Stay Sexually Active as an Older Man

While it’s expected that the vast majority of people will experience a decline in sexual activity as they enter their latter years, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have to stop having sex altogether or even much at all.

Along with staying healthy by practicing good nutrition and regular exercise, older men should treat medical conditions as they come up and, if required, use preventative medication to stop issues such as erectile dysfunction. This can help you maintain fulfilling sexual relationships as you age and establish greater peace of mind about sexual performance.

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

For reliable and satisfying sexual activity as men age, incorporating good physical health activities usually means better sexual health and stronger sexual desire. Even basic things like regular exerise, a balanced diet, and kicking bad habits like smoking or drinking too much alcohol can all contribute to a healthy sex like even into your 70s and 80s.

Using Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Medication

While it’s true that erectile dysfunction can occur in men of all ages, there’s a much higher incidence rate in older men. In particular, research has found that men have about a 40 percent risk of encountering some degree of ED in their 40s, increasing subtintailyl more every decade.

While this may seem intimidating, there are great modern ED prescriptions that can make it easy to maintain an erection, even if you’re experiencing symptoms of ED. If you’re experiencing such symptoms, be sure to talk with your doctor to get a better understanding of the best medication options for you.

Treat Any Underlying Medical Issues

It’s possible for many sexual performance challenges to be caused or worsened by specific health conditions. For instance, erectile dysfunction often results from high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and other physical conditions that become bigger issues as men age.

If you have a chronic disease or other health conditions that could affect your sexual performance, keep in close contact with your healthcare provider and, potentially, use medication to control your condition(s)’s symptoms for a more satisfying quality of life.

It’s also crucial to take an active approach to maintaining your health by checking for age-related medical issues that could impact your sexual satisfaction and capability. By staying on top of your overall health, you may be able to address issues as they come up for improved health and sexual performance across the decades.

Taking Action

If you’ve been feeling dissatisfied with your sexual performance or sex life in general as a result of age, we hope this info will help you take action toward a more rewarding sex life in your later years. By speaking with a medical professional about potential medications and physical or emotional issues related to sex, you’ll be taking the first steps to a better quality of life. 

Feel free to reach out and contact us with any questions about how to treat and mitigate symptoms of age-related sexual decline. here are great ways to adapt to your body’s changing needs, and by exploring these possibilities, you can maintain a great sex life for years to come!

When you’re a man in pain, it’s easy to feel both internal and external pressure to “toughen up” and put off seeing a medical professional. Especially if you aren’t exhibiting symptoms, reasons to put off preventative health screenings are usually easy to find. But ignoring preventative care options, like prostate exams, colonoscopies, and others often causes more harm than good.

It can feel invasive and unnecessarily vulnerable to seek medical attention of any kind, but annual physicals and other preventative care help you take responsibility for your own health in the long term. Such earns you the chance to monitor real risks, prevent healthcare complications, and catch any serious illness early when it’s likely easier to cure or treat.

These four men’s health tips will empower you with choices that put you on the road to your best health.

Understand Your Risks

Certain health issues are more prevalent in men, and taking preventative steps is critical toward managing and treating them. For instance, knowing you have an increased risk for developing certain diseases may convince you to take steps to improve your health. 

Conditions that are more common in men include: heart disease (including coronary artery disease and heart attack), hypertension (high blood pressure), skin cancer, lung cancer, and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Men are also more prone to atrial fibrillation, diabetes, having an elevated BMI, and using tobacco products.

Don’t Avoid Annual Exams

Even when you don’t feel sick, you should still see your primary care doctor at least once a year. Your annual wellness visits are an opportunity to engage with your physician and review family history, medical conditions, your history with surgery, and any current prescription and nonprescription medications or other supplements.

Normal preventive care practices, including screenings, immunizations, and counseling are often 100% covered by individual healthcare plans, so make sure to review your benefits and check with your doctor’s office before confirming an appointment. 

Alternatively, using telehealth services will put you in contact with a doctor for a live virtual doctor’s visit. This option can help men who can’t easily make it to the doctor’s office find the time for preventative care, wherever they are.

Choose To Live Healthier

In addition to committing to annual checkups, adopting even small-seeming changes in your life can improve or even save it in the long run. To live a healthier lifestyle, consider the tips below:

• Exercise Diligently 
  • Regular exercise helps keep your body at a healthy weight, decreasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. The CDC officially recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days per week. Any physically strenuous activity counts, so choose something you enjoy — like calisthenics, cycling, swimming, or hiking — keeps it pleasurable for you. When you motivate yourself to exercise with fun, you’re more likely to commit.

• Eat Healthier
  • Adjusting your diet can have a major effect on your overall health. Focus on eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean sources of protein (including fish and chicken that isn’t fried). Limit how much red meat you eat, and do the same with processed foods, saturated and trans fats, and foods with added sugar and sodium.

• Stay Within A Healthy Weight Range
  • Making sure your weight stays within a healthy range has tons of health benefits: it lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer. If you are overweight, it’s especially important to commit to gradual habit changes so your weight loss is consistent and lasts. If you’re trying to lose weight, start small to not overwhelm yourself. Ask your physician what your medically-based suggested weight range is and how to best get there.

• Stop Smoking And Limit Alcohol
  • If you smoke cigarettes, vape, or use additional forms of tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.), talk to your doctor about the best ways to quit. Ingesting alcohol increases your risk for certain types of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. If you occasionally drink, moderation is essential to keeping a healthy lifestyle.

Be Transparent With Your Doctor

To make the most out of your doctor appointments and build overall trust between you and your physician, transparency is crucial. Men may feel embarrassed about experiencing medical difficulty, but without being open about all the factors that contribute to your health, they can’t do their job as well. 

Some men may not want to hear about having to change their diet or lifestyle habits, or may even not feel ready to confront a health issue. But your doctor is your partner in caring for your health and living a long, healthy life. You can be assured that whatever happens, your physician has heard similar concerns before and is trained to help you medically, whatever the cause(s).

At Renewed Vitality, we specialize in helping people stay informed and passionate about their lives and health. We are the Berks County area’s premier facility for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments. We serve both men and women, offering safe, effective care that relieves hormone imbalance symptoms and restores quality of life for patients at all stages of life. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact Renewed Vitality today!

 

While aging affects everyone differently, there is no point in denying this inevitable fact of life.

For many women, aging is something that is discussed with relative frequency. But for men, the process is often overlooked or left unconsidered in larger circles. Nevertheless, aging can be just as frightening and confusing for men as it can for women.

That’s why Renewed Vitality is stepping up to plate in order to discuss four key things that many men wish their partners knew about the male aging experience.

The Common Medical Risks

As with anyone, regardless of sex, the natural aging process can take a toll on a person;s health and physical fitness.

For men especially, the risk of chronic diseases and other medical conditions such as colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers, hepatitis, and aging male syndrome —which is characterized by a decline in testosterone and may manifest in weight gain, difficulty sleeping, less interest in sex, general irritability, depression, and loss of bone, muscle, and hair tissues.

These conditions are not guaranteed to happen by any means, but they can be quite frightening and will require a good amount of love and support to cope with should they occur.

The Truth About Fertility Changes

There is actually quite a mix of truth and myth surrounding male reproductive health as they age. For this reason. It’s important to discuss the changes that do occur in a direct manner.

In a process known as sclerosis, the tubes that carry sperm can lose elasticity. While the testes will continue to produce sperm, the rate at which this occurs may decrease. In addition, the epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate gland can also lose some surface cells.

Nevertheless, this system can and will continue to produce sperm, and it is still possible for a man to further children well into his older years.

How It Can Affect Self-Esteem

Aging isn’t easy for anyone, but for many, societal expectations and years of conditioning have made it seem as though men are somehow weaker for wishing to express their emotions and discuss heavier topics.

While machismo and the appearance of strength are important traits for many, men do still have feelings and certain insecurities when it comes to self-esteem. For this reason, it’s important to stay open-minded, compassionate, and empathetic if the man in your life begins to feel a bit down as a result of the natural aging process.

The Best Ways to Stay Healthy as We Age

While the aging process can be intimidating, the good news is, there are a number of positive ways that men and their partners can ensure better health as they age.

Keeping up with annual physicals and medical screening, as well as adhering to a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, are some of the best ways to have a little more control over your aging process.

Focusing on increased awareness, prevention, education, and family support can allow men to enjoy better health as they age and wake up each morning with a little more positivity.

If the effects of aging seem too daunting to deal with, don’t worry! Renewed Vitality offers multiple resources and ways to help! To discuss your concerns and questions in greater detail, feel free to contact us today. We’re always ready and willing to talk.

Diet is a major part of how our bodies operate. Food is the fuel that we put into the burner, and so it can largely dictate how our bodies grow and respond to the environment, and it can even affect hormone production. While there are several other factors regarding the production of testosterone, the food we eat plays a role. Let’s unpack the causes of lowered testosterone, and what can be done about it.

What Are The Causes Of Low Testosterone?

There can be a wide range of factors when it comes to lowered testosterone production. Over time, production can naturally wane and decrease, or it can be related to pituitary or adrenal gland issues. Diet can also play a part. Some foods provide the nutrients necessary for healthy testosterone production, while others can impede it. Here are some foods you should eat—and some you should avoid—when seeking to boost your testosterone levels.

Food To Boost

Diet doesn’t always return immediate results when it comes to hormone production. Think of it as a way to improve your internal environment so that your body can more easily produce testosterone. Eating foods rich in these nutrients that your body needs to produce testosterone is a better option than just taking supplements because of the overall effect of a healthy diet.

Vitamin D Low-Fat Milk

Vitamin D is a major resource the body needs when it comes to hormone production, specifically testosterone. Milk is an important component of any diet to develop and maintain strong bones and teeth, but with the added benefit of a vitamin D boost, you’re further increasing the benefits.

Zinc Rich Foods

Red meat, beans, and seeds are all excellent sources of zinc. This mineral is important in testosterone production, and when eaten in the right amounts, can provide benefits beyond simply boosting zinc levels. However, eating too much red meat has been linked to serious health risks like raised cholesterol and potential bowel cancer.

Fatty Fish & Fish Oil

Fatty fish—like salmon, sardines, and trout—are full of important omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty acids have been found to have a positive correlation towards improved testicular function, and therefore improved testosterone production. Other benefits include reducing risk factors for heart disease, improved eye health, and even combat depression and anxiety.

Eggs

More specifically, egg yolks. These are great sources of vitamin D as well as other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and more. While you need to keep an eye on your intake if you have known cholesterol issues, most people can safely incorporate this nutrient rich food without much concern.

What To Avoid

Plastic-Wrapped or Canned Foods

According to a 2013 study, those who worked in environments with lots of BPA had lowered testosterone levels. While the average consumer isn’t exposed to nearly that level of BPA, one article found that a vast majority of men attending a fertility clinic had BPA in urine samples. While reducing your intake of foods prepackaged in this way may not make all of the difference, it can’t hurt, and encourages eating fresher foods.

Highly Processed Foods

Trans fats have been linked to decreased testicular function in men. These kinds of fats are most commonly found in highly processed foods that are also high in extra sugar and sodium. Whenever you look at something that might be an easy-to-grab snack or is extra convenient, take a look at the nutritional label to see what you’re putting into your body.

Alcohol

Before we get ahead of ourselves, this does not mean that alcohol should be avoided at all costs, but drinking in excess can have detrimental effects. In one study, it was found that it had a reversing behavior across genders; men who drank more had lower testosterone, and women who drank more had higher.

How Do You Plan For A Testosterone Rich Diet?

Whenever you set out to correct bodily function with diet, it’s important to discuss this with a hormone specialist or a professional nutritionist. Everyone’s bodies work differently, so talking to a professional about your concerns is the best way to get a baseline for yourself.

In the case of lowered testosterone, diet is a great place to start, but a doctor may have other recommendations. Exercise and hormone replacement therapies can also be incorporated alongside dietary changes to further improve testosterone production.

No matter what your gender is, sex, and our relationship to it, changes over time. Attitudes, conversations, and the actual performance of the act vary with age and preference. Just because it changes however, doesn’t mean it can’t still be enjoyable for you and your partner. We’ve compiled a few simple tips on how to keep the magic alive in the bedroom (or wherever) throughout the years:

1.	Accept That Things Change This is point number one for a reason. Over the years, our bodies change and so does what works for each of us. Treating your body like it’s 20 when you’ve been using it for 60 years or more can have repercussions. Know your body and embrace those changes!

 

Communication Is Never Not Important When it comes to sex, communication is always a major part of the partnership. If you’ve never clearly and openly talked about sex with your partner, then maybe it’s time to start that ball rolling. Communicating expectations, desires, likes, and dislikes is key to adapting to the natural evolution that a sexual relationship goes through.

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Talk To Your Doctor Some changes related to sex are less about being in the mood, and more about your body behaving differently than it used to. If an open dialogue about sex with your partner is important, then it’s equally important to have conversations with your doctor or a medical professional as well. Some common issues adults run into as we get older involve blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and a host of others. Talking with your doctor about these factors and how they apply to you is always a good idea to get a solid baseline to plan from.

It’s Not Just About You Whenever there is a piece of advice here, remember that it applies to both you and your partner. Talking about your desires is important, but just as important is listening to the person you are with. Understand that if you have concerns or hangups about sexual intimacy and sexuality, your partner might as well. Try to create an open and free atmosphere that you both feel comfortable engaging in these discussions that are about both of you.

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Apply What You’ve Learned Life is all about learning and growing from applying that experience. Don’t ignore this, especially when it comes to sex! Rather than the trial and error that goes along with young age, you now have the confidence in your body’s capability. Being sure of what you want and what fits in with your body can be a major boost to self-confidence and a huge factor when it comes to your sex life.

 

Don’t Rush Things Make it about more than the act of sex—turn it into an evening. Set aside time to make the whole experience more romantic. Try to reinvigorate the time leading up to the act. Have intimate conversation, read suggestive poetry, engage in something together that you have not yet experienced but have an interest in. Bring you and your partner closer together to draw out that intimacy and pleasure.

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Don’t Stress So Much Stress isn’t a great thing to bring into sex at any age, but as we get older, stress can seriously hamper our ability to enjoy intimate experiences. Depending on your stress contributors, sometimes an honest conversation with your partner can help alleviate it. Many people attach a great deal of stress to sex in general. Take that well-earned confidence from over the years and realize that sex is nothing to stress about.

Sometimes It’s Chemistry It’s not just the joints and bones that change over the years. Hormones shift over time which can lead to decreased sex drive or a total shift in what sex can mean for a person. If your hormones are causing issues when it comes to sex, seeking out hormone treatments or supplements can yield results. Talking with experts in the field of hormone replacement therapy is a great starting point for determining what your needs might be.

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Experiment With The Formula Over time, anything we do can become routine. Even the most enjoyable tasks can fall into a regular rhythm. In order to break that sameness around sex, it’s time to shake things up. Trying new sexual positions, different kinds of sex, even where you have sex can spice up your sex life in unexpected ways. Being open to these changes necessitates conversation for everyone involved, so remember that communication!

 

Work On Yourself Outside Of Sex Your life out and about can also impact your sex life. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, your sex life can suffer. Increasing your physical activity, even when it’s just around the house can result in improvements all over including sex. Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink and quitting smoking are also both major steps you can take to greatly improve your quality of life in addition to helping out with your sex life.

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Embrace The Change

Sex is something that can be enjoyed even as you get older. It can improve your mood, bolster your health, and creates and strengthens interpersonal connections. Even when it’s different from what it used to be, it can still be a fantastic and intimate experience. Don’t let age change your ability to enjoy your life.

Many people experience headaches, and there are a number of reasons for this: stress, diet, physical strain. But did you know that hormone imbalances can cause intense headaches and migraines as well? When your body is used to a certain level of a hormone, too much or too little can result in an adverse reaction.

How do you know?

How can you identify when a headache or migraine is caused by a hormone imbalance? Usually, hormonally induced migraines and pain are found in conjunction with other symptoms. When you notice any number of these symptoms coinciding with frequent headaches, it could be possible that they are hormonally based:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased or persistent acne
• Joint pain unrelated to exercise
• Sudden cravings for alcohol, chocolate, or salty foods
• Difficulty coordinating movement
• Lower than average urination
• Constipation

Which Hormones Cause This?

These headaches affect both men and women and thought to be most strongly linked to lowered sex hormones (estrogen for women and testosterone for men). It is possible that other hormones like those produced by the thyroid are also involved in the reactions that result in migraines and headaches.

Because these hormones control blood flow, muscle tension and growth, and the release of chemicals in the brain, it’s easy to see how them being out of balance can lead to pain in the brain. 

What Triggers These Migraines And Headaches?

Though hormones can be largely to blame for these episodes, other factors are usually involved as well. Here are some of the most common triggers for these kinds of migraines:

• Flashing lights, or other overstimulation of the senses
• Changes in atmospheric pressure, such as changing seasons or severe weather
• Alcoholic beverages especially those that contain tannins, like red wine
• Drinking too much caffeine or suffering from caffeine withdrawal.
• Simple stress
• Irregular sleep schedules, either too much or too little sleep
• Significant changes in diet and exercise routines
• Excessive salt and intense seasonings
• Extra processed foods such as packaged sausage and deli meat
• Artificial sweeteners like aspartame

What Can You Do?

The common thread between most of these factors is a disruption of the body’s homeostasis, or natural balance. If you find yourself prone to these kinds of headaches, it may be a good idea to look at your own schedule and habits. Most experts recommend drinking plenty of water and attempting to calm yourself to reduce stress and lessen the severity of the migraine or headache. Talking to a doctor is always a good idea when it comes to making a significant change in your lifestyle as it relates to your health.

Hormone replacement therapy could also be effective in curbing migraine headaches. Talk to your doctor or hormone expert to determine if hormone replacement therapy is right for you and your symptoms. It’s important to remember that every person is different, and what might be a normal level of a hormone might not be the same for another person. A doctor or hormone expert can help you identify where your baseline is. 

If you suffer from hormone induced migraines or headaches, the experts at Renewed Vitality can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

As our bodies age, some processes slow or change with time. You may notice you have less energy or it’s harder to lose weight as you get older. This is a normal and natural occurrence. This is can largely be due to hormone production within the body slowing down. Women experience a significant drop in specific hormone production through menopause. Do men experience something similar? The answer is yes.

What Is Andropause?

Most men also experience a reduction in the production of hormones, specifically testosterone, as they get older. Known as Andropause, this process is a more gradual decline over many years instead of the more abrupt experience of menopause.

How Is It Different From Menopause?

It also differs from menopause in the way that not everyone experience andropause. Because of this variability, some doctors  are hesitant to consider it the male equivalent to menopause. In most cases, andropause is caused by reduced testosterone production. With the wide range of testosterone levels among men, it’s hard to establish a true baseline that says “below this line is andropause.”

Monitor Your Own Levels

That being said, if you notice yourself experiencing a dip in what constitutes normal function for you, it might be a good idea to discuss with your doctor your concerns and potential options going forward. Sometimes symptoms are temporary and unrelated to testosterone production, and a doctor can run some tests to determine their origin.

What Are The Symptoms?

As testosterone levels differ from person to person, the severity of symptoms can vary just as much. More common symptoms include difficulty sleeping, reduced muscle mass, difficulty concentrating, and lowered labido. Other symptoms can range from feelings of depression and decreased motivation to decreased bone density and erectile dysfunction.

As with menopause, men experiencing andropause can be subjected to loss of body hair, hot flashes, and swollen and tender breast tissue.

You’re Not Alone

It is important to remember that while these symptoms can be embarrassing and unpleasant, they’re not unusual and a normal part of aging for many men. Identifying your concerns early with a professional is key to reducing symptoms quickly and maintaining your hormonal balance.

Is There Treatment Available?

Just like with menopause, it is possible to reduce symptoms by making lifestyle changes in diet and exercise. Many doctors may also prescribe medications to combat specific symptoms, such as antidepressants. In many cases, these symptoms can be combated as a whole using hormone replacement therapy.

Consulting A Professional

Working with your hormone professional or doctor can help determine your specific needs and if your symptoms are caused by andropause or by another condition.

Renewed Vitality Can Help

If you are looking into whether hormone replacement therapy might be right for you, Renewed Vitality is here to help. Our trained experts specialize in helping identify the cause of hormonal imbalances and can recommend specific courses of action as well as treatments tailored for your unique situation. Contact us for more information and a consultation today.

Hormones dictate so much of our lives that sometimes, it’s hard to realize what kind of effect they can have on our day to day. They control everything, including our emotions and moods.

If hormones fall into imbalance, then our moods can fluctuate wildly and make day to day functions difficult. It’s important to understand which hormones affect our moods most so that we can address issues when they arise.

Serotonin and Dopamine

Some hormones are directly responsible for regulating moods: serotonin and dopamine. When these hormones are being produced in proper amounts, it’s easier to control moods and regulate thought processes. These are the primary hormones responsible with preventing depression and similar emotional and mood disorders.

Testosterone

Testosterone is also a key hormone when it comes to mood regulation. When your body is lower on testosterone, you can feel physically sluggish, muscle mass and tone diminish, and sex drive lessens.

However, the effects of lowered testosterone go beyond the physical, but also result in emotional issues. These physical effects can also result in anxiety about physical performance, depression as a result of lowered energy, and mood swings.

Estrogen

Estrogen is another hormone that controls and stabilizes moods. When estrogen is out of normal balance, either as a result of having too much or too little, mood swings can occur. These mood swings can vary between active irritability or aggressiveness and sluggish depression. At other times this imbalance results in high levels of anxiety as well.

Though many think of testosterone as primarily male and estrogen as an exclusively female hormone, everyone needs both in varying amounts in order to have healthy and balanced physical and mental functions.

Thyroid Hormones

Thyroid hormones are also key to keeping energy levels high as well as regulating mood. By keeping cells in the brain energized and functioning efficiently, your mood will be positively affected. When these levels are lower, mood will be lower as well.

Looking For Help?

When attempting to track down the exact source of a mood shift, it’s important to remember that no hormones act without interacting with many different parts of the body alongside many other hormones.

Seeking a diagnosis and discussing your concerns with a professional hormone therapist or doctor are both valid avenues to follow when seeking a solution. In many cases hormone therapy can address and reverse these negative effects of hormone imbalance.

If you are looking to talk to someone about a possible hormone imbalance, the experts at Renewed Vitality are here to help!