It’s something that often gets tongues wagging. We’re not talking about sports performance here, we’re talking about performance of the sexual kind. What affects sexual performance in men?
For some, male performance is the stuff of jokes or bragging, but for others, it’s no laughing matter. There’s a wide range of problems, as well as a few solutions, so stay with us…
First, let’s define the problem. If you’re unable to get or maintain an erection when things start heating up, ask yourself this: Have you by any chance just changed jobs, finished an Iron Man competition, sold your house, worked a 70‑hour week or polished off a bottle of scotch? If so, your problem is almost certainly not a sexual one. Your inability to rise to the occasion is likely caused by stress, fatigue, alcohol or drugs. The real problem arises when it happens over and over again.
Sexual dysfunction affects up to 20% of men aged 50 to 59. The numbers increase with age, but younger men can be affected too, though it’s less common. There are several types of dysfunction:
- A lasting decrease in libido or sexual desire for no obvious reason
- Ejaculation problems, including premature or delayed ejaculation, or an ejaculation, which is the inability to ejaculate
- Erectile problems: the inability to obtain or maintain an erection strong enough for penetration
There’s also a wide range of possible causes. For example, a weak libido can also be caused by depression, whereas delayed ejaculation or a complete lack of it can be caused by diabetes or the overexposure to pornography. Erectile problems can be linked to a lack of testosterone or to metabolic syndrome, a precursor to diabetes. An impressive range of factors can affect performance: smoking, medication, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, poor diet, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, circulatory problems, diabetes, hypertension… The list goes on.
The most common factor underlying sexual dysfunction is age, especially in men over 60. Other common causes are an enlarged prostate, diabetes, hypertension and a heart condition, not to mention psychological problems.
Enlargement of the prostate is therefore a major factor underlying sexual dysfunctions. The risk of developing erectile dysfunction is 3.7% higher in men with an enlarged prostate. The link between the two is very real and unfortunately, one of the frustrating side effects of the standard medical treatment for enlarged prostate is a high incidence of erectile problems (between 30% and 38%).
Reasons for Low Libido in Men
- Stress: Chronic stress for a prolonged period of time can lead to loss of libido and sexual drive in men.
- Lack of Sleep: It is important get your 8 hours of sleep for enhancing sexual drive.
- Depression: Depression and anxiety can later the body’s biochemistry and reduce sex drive in men.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Low testosterone level in the body caused by injury or inflammation often leads to reduced libido and sex drive.
- Erectile Dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction is the inability to hold an erection and this problem can lead to lack of desire and sex drive in men.
- Medication: Medication for high blood pressure and depression can affect libido and sexual desire.
Natural solutions can help either improve performance or reduce the risks of dysfunction.
- Limit your sugar intake
- Eat plenty of fruits and veggies
- Eat good fats from nuts, fish, olives, olive oil, avocado…
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress
- Take cold showers
