Age leaves its mark on every part of your body, including your penis. Starting in your 40s, your testicles produce less testosterone, the hormone that helped your penis grow during puberty and fuels your sex drive. The decline in testosterone, along with other things related to aging, can change the size, shape, and function of your penis.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not a natural consequence of aging; however, it becomes increasingly prevalent with age, with approximately 40 percent of 40-year-old men and 70 percent of 70-year-old men reporting that they experience the condition. African-American men are more likely than men of other races to experience ED.
Brothers, all is not lost!
There are a few things you can do like lifestyle changes to help you maintain penile health as you age.
Lose a few pounds. Belly fat is marked by a low sex drive, ED, bone mass loss, depression, lethargy, and diminished physical performance. Getting rid of the excess weight can also effectively increase penis size because there is a reduction of fat in your pubic area. Expanded waistlines tend to block testosterone, and this can lead to ED. Fat can also engulf the penis, making it difficult to access, and this can cause increased sweat accumulation that leads to chaffing and an unpleasant odor.
Get quality sleep. As you sleep, your penis has several erections that last 25 to 35 minutes, totally a good two to three hours if you get eight hours of shut-eye. Your penis gets a workout while you sleep to maintain quality blood flow. Poor sleep habits contribute to poor penis health that can bring on ED and a decrease in your sex drive.
Take Vitamin D. The sunshine vitamin is vital and has been proven to help prevent several types of cancers including penile, testicular, and prostate. Vitamin D is essential for proper testosterone production. Low levels of testosterone have been associated with depression, low sex drive, and ED. Have your doctor test your vitamin D level to determine if it is low. Being out in the sun for at least 10 minutes each day will also help give your D level a boost.
Get active. Retirement does NOT mean you have earned the right to sit around the house all day. A limp life, can lead to a limp sex organ! An active lifestyle can breathe life into your penis. ED is often caused by blood flow problems to the penis. Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and vascular disease can affect blood flow and result in ED. Adding aerobic exercise to your routine can improve your overall health and may lead to improvements in ED. Even brisk walking 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week, may be enough to change your cardiovascular health and help your ED issue.
Eat better. Simply put, a lousy diet contributes to weight gain, blood flow problems, depression, and other health-related issues. Read labels and avoid foods with MSG, high-fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils or trans-fats, and artificial dyes. Opt for healthier food choices like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes, that will get you in the right mood, bring that erection on, and get that semen flowing!
Cut down on the booze. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol is NOT an aphrodisiac! Drinking too much can lower testosterone levels and impair blood flow volume, which diminishes sexual drive and function. Long-term alcohol abuse can permanently damage the nervous system that is responsible for triggering the signals that lead to erections. In fact, the leading cause of impotence is alcohol abuse. Studies have shown that ED is present in alcohol abusers even when they’re sober.
Kick the smoking habit. Cancer sticks can bring on a slew of health issues. Even a short-term nicotine habit can reduce blood flow to the penis that affects intensity and duration. If you stop puffing and kick the nasty habit to the curb, you can achieve longer-lasting erections; isn’t this a HUGE incentive?
