Already after 30 years, the man begins the gradual extinction of sexual function. Every year, the level of testosterone in your body decreases by an average of 1%. As a result, at age 60, potency in men is significantly weakened. All sexual functions worsen - libido decreases, erection difficulties arise and sexual sensations become weaker. However, even after age 60, a man can lead a full sex life with the use of medical support.
Potency in men after 60 years
Consider the main causes of natural or pathological deterioration of potency after 60 years. Let's sort them by frequency in descending order. But don't forget that the reasons listed can be combined, which requires an integrated approach to the elimination of sexual dysfunctions. These are the factors:
Decreased testosterone levels
In young men, this condition is called hypogonadism and is considered pathological. However, in men after the age of 60, this phenomenon is physiological in nature and is associated with the aging process of the body. With a decrease in testosterone levels, a person notices not only sexual weakness, but also other changes:
- hair loss;
- skin sagging;
- palpitations and heart pain;
- depression;
- rapid fatigability;
- decreased muscle strength;
- fragility of bones;
- weight gain;
- sweating.
None of these symptoms can unequivocally indicate a decrease in testosterone levels in the body. However, your combination should be alarming.
With a decrease in the concentration of the male sex hormone, a person is diagnosed with "age-related androgen deficiency". This is not a pathology, but a normal state of the body after 60 years. The diagnosis is made after a blood test for hormones. The deficiency can be compensated with the help of medication (hormone replacement therapy).
Vasculogenic erectile dysfunction
Vascular erectile dysfunction in men over 60 years of age is often combined with testosterone deficiency. The essence of the problem is that the blood filling of the penis is deteriorating. Therefore, even with preserved libido and a normal level of testosterone in the blood, intercourse will not occur. It is in this condition that men take drugs to temporarily restore sexual function.
neurogenic erectile dysfunction
A man over 60 can have many diseases. One of the most common pathologies is diabetes mellitus. This disease is manifested by polyneuropathy. Peripheral nerves throughout the body are affected, including those located in the penis. As a result of impaired impulse conduction, erectile function suffers. There are other neurological diseases that violate potency by a similar pathogenetic mechanism.
Violation of potency of iatrogenic origin
After 60 years, a man is often forced to take handfuls of pills every day as his somatic health is deteriorating significantly. Some drugs can have a negative effect on sexual functions. These include drugs for high blood pressure (beta-blockers) and for prostate adenoma (antiandrogens), which are often prescribed to men after age 60.
Pathology of the organs of the reproductive system
Past operations, injuries, prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia - all these diseases and conditions can disrupt the potency of a man of any age. The older the person, the greater the risk of pathology of the organs of the reproductive system.
Increasing the potency of men after 60 years
An increase in potency in men after 60 years is possible only after finding out the cause of its violation. Self-medication is undesirable because:
- The medications you prescribe yourself can irreversibly worsen your health - after all, you are not a boy anymore, and many medications pose a threat to you. Men with heart disease should be especially careful.
- Medications may be ineffective if the cause of the potency disorder is not determined. For example, it makes no sense to take pills if you have neurogenic erectile dysfunction. Testosterone preparations will not help if potency is impaired due to a deterioration in the blood supply to the penis.
Therefore, the algorithm of actions should be as follows:
- Visit to a urologist or andrologist.
- Passing the tests and passing the instrumental studies.
- Getting prescriptions from a doctor. Its implementation usually leads to a significant improvement in erectile function.
We will briefly describe how the restoration of impaired potency is carried out:
- Age-related androgen deficiency. A man receives hormone replacement therapy with testosterone preparations. They are usually given by injection, although other dosage forms of these hormonal drugs exist. Treatment is carried out as long as the man wants to have sex. The dose is selected by the doctor based on the results of laboratory tests.
- Vascular erectile dysfunction. Treatment depends on the severity of the disorders. In the initial phase, drugs from the PDE-5 inhibitor group or LOD therapy (a pump that ensures the onset of an erection by forming negative pressure and blood flow to the genitals) are sufficient. In the case of pathology of moderate severity, it is necessary to administer drugs directly to the penis. At the last stage of violations, only a surgical operation can help.
- Neurogenic erectile dysfunction. Treatment is carried out in conjunction with an endocrinologist (if a man has diabetes) and a neurologist. As a rule, alpha-lipoic acid preparations are prescribed for life. They not only improve erection, but also reduce the risk of other diabetic complications, prolonging the patient's life. Other drugs may be used, depending on the clinical situation, cause and extent of peripheral nerve involvement.
- Violation of potency due to medication. If possible, drugs are replaced with other drugs that do not have the side effect of making an erection worse. It is impossible to cancel medicines on your own - this can lead to a deterioration of well-being.
- Diseases of the organs of the reproductive system. Restoration of potency depends on the pathology that led to its deterioration. The underlying disease is being treated.
A man who wants to maintain sexual function into old age must do the following:
- avoid excessive weight gain;
- live an active lifestyle;
- refuse bad habits;
- being constantly observed by a urologist or andrologist;
- monitor physical health status.
You need to have sex regularly. After age 60, the absence of sexual intercourse for several months can lead to a complete loss of potency and interest in intercourse.