Today, numerous medications and treatments seek to help men regain their sexual function, especially if they start getting older. This new improvement has managed to eliminate the stigma that was previously associated with subpar sexual performance in men. In America alone, it is estimated that about 30 million people struggle with erectile dysfunction (1).
This condition is essentially the inability of a man to gain an erection firm enough for penetrative sex. Older men aged above 70 years old are much more likely to be victims of this statistic than the much younger men (2). However, it is a common cause of concern for most men willing to look for solutions to get their sex life back.
Understanding ED and Its Causes
If you find that you are finding it difficult to get an erection, the key reason behind that is often a result of insufficient blood into the penis. You find that your penis feels much softer than it did when you were younger.
Sometimes this could indicate the presence of a much more significant health issue. One of the most common ties to ED in older men is tied to problems with the heart (3). It might also be a result of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or mental strain.
A few drugs and medications have also been associated with causing this condition (4). It might help to visit your urologist if you feel that the situation keeps getting worse. With the incredible penile implant advancements, there is now a permanent solution to help you take care of ED once and for all.
How Does Sex Change for the Older Man?
Older men often have to go through some frustration level, especially if they feel like they cannot satisfy their partners like they used to. It might have something to do with decreased libido that could spark up feelings of worry.
However, most men prefer to increase their performance in bed, especially if they are in a new relationship. A man might also feel insecure about their body as it starts aging. It can take a toll on their mental wellness, although they still want to feel loved by their partners (5).
Some men also find that they want to engage in sexual activity, but their bodies keep letting them down. If you start experiencing such feelings, you might find that you want to avoid sex altogether, feeling that there’s no solution for it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your doctor should be in an excellent position to discuss the various options you could explore to enjoy sex better.
The Impact of Penile Implant Advancements
Recent technology has enabled the world of medicine to take significant strides, especially in matters related to sexual health. Penile implants offer you a more permanent solution when it comes to erectile dysfunction, even as you age. However, your doctor should determine whether you are fit for this procedure since it could prove dangerous, especially if you have underlying heart problems.
Links to Sources Used:
- Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/definition-facts
- Erectile Dysfunction in the Elderly: An Old Widespread Issue with Novel Treatment Perspectives https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976909/
- Erectile Dysfunction and Ischaemic Heart Disease https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6331774/
- Drugs that may cause erection problems https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004024.htm
- The psychological impact of erectile dysfunction: validation of a new health-related quality of life measure for patients with erectile dysfunction https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12394715/