Sex life doesn't have to retire just because you do. According to Stefan Arver, a senior physician at the Karolinska Institute, it is perfectly possible to maintain both pleasure and function well into old age - if you take care of your body. Blood vessels, hormones and nerves play a bigger role than you might think, and while supplements like zinc and L-arginine aren't miracle cures, they can provide a little boost if your body needs it.
Stefan Arver, a consultant physician at the Karolinska Institute, is a world-leading expert in men's health, researching endocrinology (the hormonal system) and impaired sexual function in ageing men.
Blood vessels - the key to erection
- As men age, the incidence of cardiovascular disease increases and the ability to fill the penile corpus cavernosum with blood decreases, i.e. the erection becomes worse. This requires blood vessels to function properly, and the three factors that control this function are blood fats, blood sugar and blood pressure. From a risk assessment and risk elimination point of view, it is important to have good control of these three factors," he says.
More than just a 'male' hormone
Testosterone decreases on average with age, but with very large variation between individuals and it is less common for this to cause symptoms.
- Hormones, mainly testosterone, are another important background function. "Testosterone plays a central and important role in motivation, desire and sex drive," says Dr. Stefan Arver. "It is also important for the function of blood vessels, i.e. if there is a testosterone deficiency, the blood vessels are negatively affected.
When the brain does not call down to the penis
The contact between nerve cells and the penis also has a significant role in libido.
- The perceived sexuality is located in the brain and it communicates with the rest of the body through nerve cells. If you have nerve damage, for example due to surgery or radiotherapy, the nerve signal between the brain and the penis may be lost.
Supplements - hype or help?
Supplements of Zinc and the amino acid L-Arginine are sold in health food stores to increase testosterone levels and improve blood flow.
- Zinc and L-arginine, like a number of other nutrients, are needed but are uncommon as a cause of sexual problems. Supplementation is important if there is a deficiency, but this is rare, which means that supplementation of zinc and L-arginine usually has no effect. They do not increase testosterone and it is doubtful whether marginal increases in testosterone have any effect.
- However, if you don't get enough zinc from your diet, you may need supplements. Zinc is necessary for a whole range of functions in the body and we may need supplements of it.
We also need amino acids such as L-arginine to ensure the right composition of the system's fuel," says Dr. Stefan Arver.
The downside of drugs for sex
Alcohol or other drugs may seem to enhance the mood - but in the long run they often do the opposite. Drugs such as nicotine, alcohol, opiates, morphine and cocaine have a negative impact on sexual performance.
- Smoking destroys blood vessels and alcohol has a negative effect with higher consumption over a longer period. Alcohol becomes a form of pleasure and works through the same system that sexuality uses and then you take out the pleasure supply. The heavier drugs have a reputation of providing greater sexual pleasure, but research shows that they inhibit both sex drive and ability.
The lifestyle that keeps desire alive
Although sexual ability is affected by ageing, you can influence it by leading a healthy lifestyle.
- Stay away from drugs, don't smoke, cut down on alcohol, be physically active, keep an eye on your blood pressure and blood sugar, and nurture your relationships, says Stefan Arver.
| Stefan Arver is a professor and researcher in the field of psychology, particularly known for his work in the areas of mental health and neuroscience. He has also been involved in research on stress and its impact on the brain and body functions. Arver has worked at Karolinska Institutet, one of the world's leading medical universities, where he has worked on both clinical and experimental research, and has also been involved in research on sex hormones and their impact on people's mental health, such as how testosterone can affect behavior and brain function. He is also interested in topics such as brain plasticity and psychological factors that affect individuals' ability to cope with stress. |
