Liven Up Your Libido, Guys

Birds do it. Bees do it. Even educated fleas do it. Familiar with the song as you are, you know the next line is “Let’s do it.” But sometimes, despite love, desire, and the best intentions, many of us get a little stuck on the “doing it” part. Many of us.  

According to a global study involving 27,500 men and women between the ages of 40 and 80, 28 percent of the men and 39 percent of the women reported at least one sexual concern. Topping the list of complaints: 10 percent of men listed erectile difficulties, while 21 percent of women claimed a lack of sexual interest, 16 percent couldn’t reach orgasm, and 16 percent suffered with lubrication problems.

Research from a study subgroup of 1,500 German men and women showed that despite the fact that most participants considered their sex lives important, less than 20 percent of respondents had discussed their problems with a healthcare provider—suggesting that lots of people like to keep this part of their lives private.

It’s important that our quest for privacy doesn’t overshadow our need to know how to address these concerns. After all, an active sex life provides some important health benefits. Research published in the British Medical Journal concluded that risk of death for Welsh men aged 45 to 59 at the start of the study was 50 percent lower in those who experienced orgasms with high frequency compared with men who had fewer orgasms. For women, regular intercourse appears to protect against endometriosis.

In both sexes, orgasm causes a surge in the hormone oxytocin, which not only creates a feeling of emotional connection between partners but also appears to regulate body temperature and blood pressure, while relieving pain and promoting healing. As we grow older, it’s also refreshing to know that sex can make us look younger, possibly because it helps us fall asleep! Sometimes, however, for a variety of reasons, we get lost on the way to the bedroom.

His Story

The topic of male sexuality gets a lot of play in the press, and that’s likely because conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED) are so common. A 2002 review found the prevalence of ED ranged from 2 percent in men under the age of 40 to 86 percent in men aged 80 years and older.

In one study, ED was associated with the presence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and psychological disorders. Other research highlights a link between sexual dysfunction in men with both untreated and treated hypertension. Numbers show that about 30 percent of hypertensive males suffer from ED. This condition, in fact, might be an early indicator of subclinical cardiovascular disease. Researchers also pointed out that some antihypertensive medications might contribute to sexual dysfunction in males. In a wicked Catch-22, you will recall that a less active sex life is associated with an increased risk of heart disease in men.

Obesity, prostate concerns, and urinary issues are other significant conditions sometimes linked to ED, and we can’t underestimate the impact of everyday, garden-variety stress as an instigator of ED. During a stressful period in a man’s life, his penis may not respond in its usual manner. After a while, the man might start to worry about his virility, too—thereby adding to his stress level and propagating an unpleasant cycle. Men should always discuss concerns about ED with a healthcare practitioner to rule out and address underlying health issues.

Natural Support

Fortunately, there is plenty of nonprescription help available. Responsible for erections in men, L-arginine (in supplement form) can improve fertility in men with low sperm counts.

Ginseng is also useful in the sex department, and this herb has been used for thousands of years as a general tonic that improves endurance.