Potency After 40 — How To Improve Sexual Performance?

After their 40s, men start experiencing problems with potency and sexual performance. Apart from age, this problem is also associated with many other factors like smoking, obesity, inactivity, a decline in overall health, and even stress. According to the consumer health digest, men are over 40% more likely to experience a midlife crisis which decreases their sex drive.

Well, no doubt, most men's sex life takes a plunge when they cross 40. So, how can men improve sexual performance after their 40s?

This article will tell you how to increase your libido and enhance your sexual performance. So, continue reading!

Aging And Sex Drive

Many factors can affect your libido, from stress and hormonal changes to complicated relationships. Apart from that, age can also contribute to depleting sex drive in both men and women. So, how does aging impact your sex drive?

The changing sex hormones are what impact our sex drive the most. The level of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone in the body plays a crucial role when it comes to sex and fertility. These hormones are responsible for puberty, menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, libido, and sperm production.

Your sex drive in your twenties is at its peak because your reproductive system and sex hormones are in full force. Not only are your hormones intact, but your level of intimacy is also the strongest during this time. Unless you suffer from stress or chronic illnesses, your sex drive is bound to thrive in your twenties.

However, as you enter your thirties, there is a slight shift in your hormones. And then comes the forties. Both men and women experience significant hormonal changes during their forties. Women enter perimenopause which drops their estrogen levels, leading to poor sex drive. Similarly, the testosterone levels in men start to drop, causing low sex drive and potency issues like erectile dysfunction.

Sexual Dysfunction In Men After 40s

No, men don't become impotent after 40, but they can have sexual dysfunction and potency problems. Sexual dysfunction is a physical or psychological problem that causes low sex drive and prevents sexual gratification. Sexual dysfunction is a common problem in older men, but it can affect men of all ages.

Here are the main types of sexual dysfunction issues in men:

• Erectile dysfunction (Impotence) – difficulty in getting and keeping an erection
• Delayed or inhibited ejaculation – Reaching orgasm too slowly or not being able to ejaculate at all
• Premature ejaculation – ejaculation too quickly
• Low libido – very low sex drive
• Infertility – low sperm count

Besides aging, there can be various causes of sexual dysfunction in men. Physical causes of sexual dysfunction include prescription drugs, alcoholism, drug abuse, high blood pressure, diabetes, poor heart health, smoking, etc. At the same time, psychological triggers of sexual dysfunction include low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, poor relationship with a partner, sexual trauma, etc.

Potency In Men After 40s

As stated earlier, men after their 40s are more prone to potency issues. Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is one of the leading side effects of aging in men. It is important to note that all men don't become impotent after 40, but most of them do suffer from ED. Study shows that nearly 40% of men suffer from some form of erectile dysfunction in their 40s.

Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition. In most cases, the episodes are caused by age, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, or excessive alcoholism. For some men, this can be a single episode that can self-resolve and are often nothing to worry about. However, if you find that you or your partner regularly suffer from ED, this may indicate a more concerning medical or psychological problem.

Therefore, you should consult a healthcare practitioner if you have ED. During your consultation, your doctor will take a detailed history of your ED symptoms.

Besides medical intervention, there are also many other ways to prevent sexual dysfunction and improve sexual performance as you age.

Ways To Improve Potency and Sexual Performance After 40s

From medicines to foods and lifestyle changes, there are plenty of ways to improve potency in the 40s and beyond. Here are some ways you can boost your sexual drive, improve sexual performance and prevent the early onset of erectile dysfunction:

1. Kegels

Kegels are pelvic floor muscle exercises. Well, we all heard of Kegels, and a lot of women use them, but there's no reason why men shouldn't.

In 2005, a study was done in the UK where they separated men who had been suffering from erectile dysfunction for at least six months into two groups. One group did lifestyle interventions, diet, and biofeedback stuff. The other group did the same thing but with pelvic floor exercises. The group doing pelvic floor exercises showed a massive improvement at the end of three months. 75% of men regained partial to full erectile function at the end of six months.

So, if you have erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, you need to work out your pelvic floor muscles. These are the muscles that you use in order to hold in a fart or to cut your urine midstream. Some Kegel or pelvic floor exercises for men include good old fashion squats, plank, and hip raises.

2. Improving Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is perhaps one of the most important factors when it comes to having good sexual health and performance in the 40s. Here are some lifestyle changes you need to make if you're struggling with potency and sexual performance:

• Quit smoking because smoking is injurious to health and impacts sex drive. Chain smokers often suffer from low libido and a slew of health risks like heart disease, lung cancer, etc.
• Sleep on time because not getting enough sleep also impacts the hormones, thus reducing sex drive. So, ensure to get at least 7-8 hours of good quality sleep every night.
• Exercise because regular physical exercise boosts mood and regulates hormones. It also improves endurance, stamina, and sex drive.
• Limit alcohol consumption because alcoholism is a huge factor when it comes to poor sexual performance. So, cut down on drinking if you want good sexual health.

3. Stress Management

Stress often leads to decreased libido. People who are stressed also find it hard to orgasm. So, if you are under stress, you must find ways to mitigate the triggers. One of the most effective ways to control stress is meditation. Many studies prove that daily meditation can help relieve stress and boost libido. Many mindfulness-based meditations can so improve sexual function. So, if you want your sex life back on track, try ways to lessen the stress and anxiety in your life.

4. Libido Boosting Foods

Many different foods have a very positive impact on our sexual health. These foods have certain properties that boost libido, stimulate hormones and increase sperm count.

Here are some foods proven to be effective when it comes to sex:

• Avocados – Avocados have Vitamin B6, which is known to prove blood flow to the sex organs and increase sex drive to get you in the mood.
• Chocolate – People who eat chocolate regularly have a higher libido and good sexual function.
• Citrus fruits – Eating tart and citrus fruits are a great way to increase your sex drive. The ascorbic acid in such fruits is known to lead to better sexual health.
• Coffee – Coffee has caffeine, which is great for boosting energy and sex drive. Men who consume coffee regularly are less likely to have erectile dysfunction.
• Red Wine – Drinking red wine increases sexual function and sexual desires. In women, it is also said to improve lubrication.

5. Lose Weight

Obesity and weight gain can lead to a number of health risks. However, most people don't know that they also impact your sex drive and performance. Research shows that morbidly obese people have a poor sex life than those with a normal weight. This happens because obesity leads to hormonal imbalances. Moreover, it can also lead to low confidence due to physical appearance, leading many to avoid sex altogether. So, if you are overweight, fat loss will not only improve your overall health but also get rid of sexual dysfunction.

6. Consult A Sex Therapist

A sex therapist studies human sexuality. Sex therapists and sexologists are qualified professionals who help people improve the quality of their sex life. This includes all aspects of sex, like sexual performance, sex drive, sexual function, intimacy issues, etc. A sex therapist can also help with issues surrounding a lack of interest in sexual partners, sexual addictions, self-esteem issues, recovery from sexual trauma, and trust and communication issues. So, if you are facing a psychological or physiological problem that is impacting your sex life, consult a sex therapist.

7. Quit Sugar

Believe it or not, sugar can wreck your sex drive. It is one of the biggest culprits that can knock sex hormones out of balance and make you lose your sex drive and ability. Excessive sugar consumption lowers testosterone, reduces growth hormone production, creates leptin resistance, makes you tired, and triggers stress and anxiety.

As stated earlier, testosterone is the hormone responsible for sexual well-being and muscle mass. When a man's testosterone levels are low, he gains excess body fat and increases estrogen levels which also causes man boobs. Similarly, the growth hormone maintains libido, and leptin monitors sexual behavior. When we eat a lot of sugar, both growth hormone and leptin do not function properly. All this eventually leads to low sex drive and trouble getting erections. So, when men hit over 50 and keep eating sugar, they will have poor sexual health.

8. Yoga

Many of us are familiar with at least some of the amazing benefits of yoga, but perhaps a lesser-known benefit is how yoga can activate sexual energy and increase sex drive. Yoga poses increase circulation, nourish the body, and strengthen the pelvic floor by targeting the pelvic region. Moreover, yoga also helps you unlock sexual energies and remove any blockages. Some yoga poses you can try to include the eagle pose, frog pose, and forward bend. So, try yoga for erectile dysfunction and to increase your sex drive.

Does Viagra Help?

Viagra is the brand name of the medicine Sildenafil. This medicine is used to treat erectile dysfunction. Many men aged 18 and above use Viagra to boost libido and improve sexual dysfunction. However, it has many side effects like nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, dizziness, headache, and flushing, to name a few.

Viagra is typically prescribed to older men with ED and low sex drive issues. However, nowadays, many young also take this medicine without a prescription as a sex-enhancing drug. The use of Viagra among youth aged 25 and below has reached alarming rates.

Please note that this drug should only be taken by men struggling with erectile dysfunction upon a doctor's recommendation. Do not go on popping these blue pills, as they can cause side effects and impact your health.

Wrapping Up

Sexual health-related problems have become more and more common these days. People are neither physically fit nor mentally at peace. Sexual health encompasses physical health, mental health, emotional health, and social health in relation to sexuality. Issues relating to any of these factors can contribute to sexual health problems like reproductive system ailments, infertility issues, low libido, and sexual dysfunction. However, another cause of such problems can also be age. Aging disrupts our hormonal balance and can impact our sex life.

Men over 40 often start to notice a decline in their sex drive and sexual performance. Some have a hard time getting hard, while others have trouble ejaculating (either too quickly or not at all). However, instead of focusing on aging healthily, men resort to Viagra. It is undoubtedly an effective remedy, but you should focus on your overall sexual health. Taking the time for yourself and your partner to work on the root cause of low sex drive and poor sexual performance is crucial. So, instead of going for a quick and short-term solution, try the abovementioned ways to improve sexual performance.