Senior sex: Tips for older men

Sex and the older man: What you can do to maintain a healthy and enjoyable sex life as you grow older.

Getting older changes sexual function and desire. Senior sex isn't the same as it was in your 20s — but it can still be satisfying. Contrary to common myths about sexuality and older adults, sex is not just for the young. Many seniors continue to enjoy their sexuality into their 80s and beyond.

A healthy sex life is not only fulfilling — but also good for other aspects of your life, including your physical health and self-esteem. Adapting to your changing body can help you maintain a healthy and satisfying sex life. But you may have to make a few changes, such as allowing yourself more time to become aroused and talking more openly with your partner.

Senior sex: What changes as men get older?

As men age, testosterone levels decline and changes in desire and sexual function are common. They include:

• Decreased sexual interest
  
• A need for more stimulation to achieve and maintain an erection and orgasm
  
• Shorter orgasms
  
• Less forceful ejaculation and less semen ejaculated
  
• Longer time needed to achieve another erection after ejaculation

Your health also can have a big impact on your sex life and sexual performance. If you or your partner is in poor health or has a chronic health condition such as heart disease or arthritis, sex and intimacy become more challenging.

Certain surgeries and many medications such as blood pressure medications, antihistamines, antidepressants and acid-blocking drugs can affect sexual function. But just because you aren't as spry as you once were doesn't mean you can't enjoy a healthy sex life. You need to adapt to your changing body and know your limitations. Focus on ways of being sexual and intimate that work for you and your partner. Talk with your doctor about your concerns.

Tips to maintain a healthy sex life later in life:

• Communicate with your partner. Open discussion of sex has become much more common in the last 40 years, but many older adults come from a generation where sex remains a taboo subject. But openly talking about your needs, desires and concerns with your partner can make you closer and help you both enjoy sex and intimacy more.

• Talk to your doctor. Talking about sexual issues with your doctor can help you maintain a healthy sex life as you get older. Your doctor can help you manage chronic conditions and medications that affect your sex life. Many older men have trouble maintaining an erection or reaching orgasm. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medications or other treatments for these problems.

• Expand your definition of sex. Intercourse is only one way to have fulfilling sex. Touching, kissing and other intimate sexual contact may be just as rewarding for both you and your partner. Realize that as you age, it is normal for you and your partner to have different sexual abilities and needs. Be open to finding new ways to enjoy sexual contact and intimacy.

• Change your routine. Simple changes can improve your sex life. Change the time of day when you have sex to a time when you have the most energy. Try the morning — when you're refreshed from a good night's sleep — rather than at the end of a long day. Because it might take longer for you or your partner to become aroused, take more time to set the stage for romance, such as a romantic dinner or an evening of dancing. Try a new sexual position or explore other new ways of connecting romantically and sexually.

• Seek a partner if you're single. It is never too late for romance. It can be difficult starting a relationship after the loss of a spouse or being single for a long time — but socializing is well worth the effort for many single seniors. No one ever outgrows the need for emotional closeness and intimate love. If you start a relationship with a new partner, be sure to practice safe sex. Many older adults are unaware that they are still at risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS

• Stay healthy. Eating regular nutritious meals, staying active, not drinking too much alcohol, and not smoking or using illegal drugs are important for your overall health — and it can help your sexual performance. Follow your doctor's instructions in taking medications and managing any chronic health conditions.

• Stay positive. The changes that come with aging — from health problems to changes in appearance and sexual performance — leave many men feeling less attractive or feeling they are less capable of enjoying or giving sexual pleasure. Discussing your feelings with your partner can help. Feeling angry, unhappy or depressed has a strong impact on your sex life. Professional counseling or other treatment can improve your sex life — and your well-being.

Sex may not be the same for you or your partner as it was when you were young. But by adapting to your changing body, sex and intimacy can continue to be a fulfilling and rewarding part of your life.

Sexual Impotence

Sex is a basic instinct like hunger. Sexual activity, however, demands complete concentration and relaxation. It cannot be performed in haste and tension. Persons who are usually tense and overoccupied are unable to follow these norms. Many persons, therefore, suffer from sexual dysfunctions. The most common male sexual dysfunction is impotence

 

Sexual Impotence causes

Psychological illness such as depression, alcohol abuse, diabetes etc

Sexual impotence may result from psychological illness such as depression which lowers both sexual drive and erectile function, tiredness, alcohol abuse, the therapeutic use of oestrogens, paralysis of parasympathetic nerves by drugs or permanent damage to them, and diabetes

Devitalised condition of the system

Other causes of impotence include a devitalised condition of the system in general. The main problem of secondary impotence is the apprehension created by an earlier failure, which generates a good deal of anxiety for the next time. Impotence takes three forms. There is primary impotence when the man's erectile dysfunction is there from the very beginning of sexual activity and he simply cannot have an erection. Secondary impotence is the commonest and this implies that the man can normally attain an erection but fails on one or more occasions in between normal activity. The third form is associated with advancing age

Home Remedies for Sexual Impotence

Sexual Impotence treatment using Garlic

Garlic is one of the most remarkable home remedies found beneficial in the treatment of sexual impotence. It is a natural and harmless aphrodisiac. According to an eminent sexologist of the United States, garlic has a pronounced aphrodisiac effect. It is a tonic for loss of sexual power due to any cause, and for sexual debility and impotency resulting from sexual overindulgence and nervous exhaustion. Two to three cloves of raw garlic should be chewed daily

Sexual Impotence treatment using Onion

Onion is another important aphrodisiac food, second only to garlic. It increases libido and strengthens the reproductory organs. The white variety of onion is, however, more useful for this purpose

Sexual Impotence treatment using Carrot

Carrots are considered valuable in impotence. For better results, about 150 gm of carrots, chopped finely, should be taken with a half-boiled egg, dipped in a tablespoon of honey, once daily for a month or two. This recipe increases sexual stamina

Sexual Impotence treatment using Lady's Fingers

Lady's fingers are another tonic for improving sexual vigour. It has been mentioned in ancient Indian literature that persons who take five to ten grams of the root powder of this vegetable with a glass of milk and two teaspoons of ground mishri daily, will never lose sexual vigour

Sexual Impotence treatment using Asparagus

The dried roots of asparagus are user in Unani medicine as an aphrodisiac. They are available in the market as safed musli. Fifteen grams of roots boiled in one cup of milk should be taken twice daily. The regular use of this remedy is valuable in impotency and premature ejaculation

Sexual Impotence treatment using Drumstick

A soup made with about fifteen grams of drumstick flowers boiled in 250 ml milk is very useful as a sexual tonic in the treatment of sexual debility. It is also useful in functional sterility in both males and females. The powder of the dry bark is also valuable in impotency, premature ejaculation, and thinness of semen. About 120 gm of the powder of the dry bark should be boiled in half a litre of water for about half an hour. Thirty grams of this powder, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, should be taken three times daily for a month

Sexual Impotence treatment using Ginger

The juice extracted from ginger is a valuable aphrodisiac and beneficial in the treatment of sexual weakness. For better results, half a teaspoon of ginger juice should be taken with a half-boiled egg and honey, once daily at night, for a month. It is said to relieve impotency, premature ejaculation, and spermatorrhoea

Sexual Impotence treatment using Dried Dates

Dried dates are a highly-strengthenin g food. Pounded and mixed with almonds, pistachio nuts, and quince seeds in equal quantities, about 100 gm should be taken daily as an effective medicine for increasing sexual power

Sexual Impotence treatment using Raisins

Black raisins are useful for restoration of sexual vigour. They should be boiled with milk after being washed thoroughly in tepid water. This will make them swollen and sweet. Eating of these raisins should be followed by the intake of milk. Starting with 30 gm of raisins, followed by 200 ml of milk three times daily, the quantity of raisins should be gradually increased to 50 gm each timE.

Diet for Sexual Impotence

Fresh-fruit diet

Diet is an important factor in treating sexual impotence. To begin with, the patient should adopt an exclusive fresh-fruit diet for five to seven days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits at five-hourly intervals

Well-balanced diet

After the all-fruit diet, he may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables , and fruits, with generous use of special rejuvenative foods such as whey, sour milk- particularly goat's mailk, millet , garlic , honey, cold-pressed vegetable oils, and brewer's yeast

Avoid smoking, processed, canned, and denatured food

The patient should avoid smoking , alcohol, tea, and coffee; and all processed, canned, refined, and denatured foods, especially white sugar and white flour, and products made from them.

Other Sexual Impotence treatments

Massage all over the body

A vigorous massage all over the body is highly beneficial in the treatment of impotence, as it helps to revive muscular vigour which is essential for nervous energy

Cold hip bath

The nerves of the genital organs are controlled by the pelvic region. Hence a cold hip bath for ten minutes in the morning or evening is very effective

Fresh air, outdoor exercises and yogasanas

Every effort should be made to build up the general health level to the highest degree, and fresh air and outdoor exercises are essential for the success of the treatment. Yogasanas such as dhanurasana, sarvangasana, and halasana are also highly beneficial

Uses of Asafoetida

Asafoetida

Botanical Name: Ferula fetid, Ferula northex
Indian Name: Hing

Origin, Distribution and Composition

Asafoetida is a resinous gum of a tall perennial herb, with robust carrot-shaped roots. It is dirty yellow in colour with a pungent smell. It is used as a flavouring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixtures. Asafoetida has several varieties which are distributed from the Mediterranean region to Central Asia. It is grown in Iran and Afghanistan. The other species, known botanically as Ferula northex, grow abundantly in Kashmir, Western Tibet and Afghanistan. It forms a good substitute for asafoetida.

An analysis of asafoetida shows it to consist of carbohydrates 67.8 per cent per 100 gms, moisture 16.0 per cent, protein 4.0 per cent, fat 1.1 per cent, minerals 7.0 per cent and fibre 4.1 per cent. Its mineral and vitamin contents include substantial calcium besides phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin and niacin. Its calorific value is 297.
Asafoetida contains resin, gum, volatile oil and ash. The resin consists Chiefly of asaresinotennol, free or combined with ferulic acid. Umbelliferone seems to be present in the combined state.

Healing Power and Curative Properties

Asafoetida has been held in great esteem amongst indigenous medicines from the earliest times in India. It is reputed as a drug which expels wind from the stomach and counteracts any spasmodic disorders. It is also a nervine stimulant, digestive agent and a sedative.

Respiratory Disorders

Asafoetida is useful in the treatment of respiratory disorders like whooping cough, asthma and bronchitis. About 3 to 6 centigrams of this gum, mixed with 2 teaspoons of honey, a quarter teaspoon of white onion juice and I teaspoon of betel leaf juice, taken thrice daily would keep the patient away from such disorders.

Hysteria

The herb is an effective remedy for hysteria. Inhaling this gum prevents hysterical attacks. An emulsion made by 2 grams of the gum with 120 mI of water is a valuable enema per rectum in treating hysteria, when oral dosage not advisable.

Impotency

The herb is beneficial in the treatment of impotency. Aboaut 6 centigrams of asafoetida should be fried in ghee and mixed with honey and a teaspoon of fresh latex of banyan tree. This mixture should be taken once daily for 40 days before sunrise. It is also considered a specific medicine for spennatorrhoea and premature ejaculation.

Children's Disorders

The herb is extensively used in the treatment of nervous disorders of children. There is an old European belief that a small piece of this gum, hung around a child's neck, would protect it from many diseases, especially germs which are sensitive to its particular odour.

Women's Ailments

The herb is considered useful in the treatment of several problems concerning women such as sterility, unwanted abortion, pre-mature labour, unusually painful, difficult and excessive menstruation and leucorrhoea. About 12 centigrams of gum fried in ghee mixed with 120 grams of goat's fresh milk and a tablespoon of honey, should be given thrice daily for a month. It excites the secretion of progestrone hormone.

Asafoetida is also useful for women after childbirth. Owing to its antiflatulent and digestive properties, the herb can be taken with beneficial results during the post-delivery period. In southern India, the powder of the herb mixed with rice is given to women after delivery.

Stomach Disorders

The herb is an effective remedy for several diseases of the stomach. It is one of the best remedies available for flatulence and is an essential ingredient for most of the digestive powders.

In case of flatulence and distension of the stomach, asafoetida should be dissolved in hot water and a pad of cloth steeped in it may be used for fomenting the abdomen.

Toothache

Asafoetida is useful in alleviating toothache. After being pestled in lemon juice, it is slightly heated. A cotton piece, soaked in the lotion and placed in the cavity of the tooth, relieves pain quickly.

Preparation and Doses: Asafoetida fried in ghee is administered either as a solution, emulsion or pills. The dose is 30 to 90 centigrams. The solution is made by thoroughly mixing 20 grams of the gum with half a liter of hot water. The dosage for adults is one to two tablespoons and one-fourth to half for children.

Other Uses

Antidote of Opium: The herb is used as an antidote of opium. Given in the same quantity as opium ingested by the patient, it will counteract the effect of the drug.

The gum resin is relished as a condiment in India and Iran where it is used to flavour curries, meatballs, daI and pickles. It is used in Europe and the United States in perfumes and for flavouring. The whole plant is used as a fresh vegetable.