Apart from your physical and mental health, sexual health also plays an important role in your well-being. While sex problems cannot be reversed completely when you are old, they can be taken care of by maintaining a good lifestyle in your youth.
Young men face problems of erectile dysfunction, ejaculation, low libido, and infertility. This can be due to drugs, medical conditions, or even the choice of food. How you take care of yourself determines how good your sex life will be, which can otherwise go downhill.
Things That Lead To Sex Problems In Men
Here are 5 things that usually affect the sexual function in men:
1. Lowered Levels Of Testosterone With Age
Aging can lead to physical and mental changes in men, and with age, the sexual problems become more common. In men, testosterone is linked to fertility and sexual function.1 Unfortunately, there is a decline in the levels of testosterone as a part of aging, that can lead to erectile and sexual dysfunction, and low libido.
It is important to note that erectile dysfunction and low libido don’t necessarily go hand in hand. You may have the urge to have sex, but not be able to do anything about the same. On the other hand, you may have an erection, but not the desire to have sex.
Another symptom of low testosterone is, trouble reaching climax because of the decreased sensitivity of the penis. Men often have to fake it as it can take forever to reach orgasm.2
2. Improper Stress Management
With competition everywhere and the need to do better, it is not difficult to be stressed. But when your sex life is affected, you may want to reconsider being stressed, irrespective of the cause.
Even healthy men have problems of erectile dysfunction due to stress. Being unable to focus impacts the functioning of the body that leads to high blood, pressure and unhealthy diet. This unhealthy lifestyle where you are not mentally and physically fit can lead to an erectile dysfunction. In addition to stress, anxiety, and fatigue also contribute to an impaired sexual functioning.3
3. Indulgence In Substance Abuse
Drugs may have negative effects on libido, erection, ejaculation, fertility, and orgasm.4 Whether it is prescription drugs or recreational drugs like alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, and hallucinogens, they affect the sexual function in men.
Alcohol affects sexual desire by decreasing inhibitions, diminishes performance and delays orgasm and ejaculation. Orgasms are can also be impaired by heroin and cocaine.5
When you are being treated for a disorder, ensure that you tell your doctor about your sexual issues if any, so that the doctor can prescribe medicines according to prevent further impairment of sexual function.
4. Health Problems
Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, and kidney or liver failure can lead to problems with sexual function in men.
Diabetes causes damage to nerves and small blood vessels, which can result in erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation.6 Heart diseases affect the arteries and in turn affect the blood supply to the penis, which leads to sexual dysfunction.7 Furthermore, injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves linked to the genitals can influence sexual well-being and affect erectile function.
A condition called multiple sclerosis that affects the brain and spinal cord can also cause erectile dysfunction, reduced sensation in the penis, difficulty in achieving ejaculation or loss of libido.8
5. Improper Nutrition
While eating healthy food can help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of developing diseases, it can also help you boost your libido. By reducing the incidence of diseases, food can regulate your sexual functioning.
Eating unhealthy food increases the chances of being overweight, which is linked to lowered sperm count or fertility.9 However, eating the right kinds of foods can elevate your mood and improve your sexual health.
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