Senior Citizens Having More Sex, Staying Healthier

It’s shocking to believe that today, in comparison to thirty years ago, more and more senior citizens are staying sexually active.

A recent study in Sweden shows that senior citizens’ outlook on sexual activity has changed, drastically.  This study was conducted on 70 year-olds from 1970 up until recently.  Reason to understand this change has sprouted from the simple notation that the seniors interviewed in the 1970’s were born during an era when sexuality was not discussed.  However, the most recent group of 70 year-olds that were surveyed were in their thirties during the 1960’s—the decade of sexual revolution.

The modern, sexually active seventy year-olds that were interviewed reported fewer sexual dysfunctions than those who were less sexually active.     Also, the study found that sexually active seniors are healthier today, with an increased life expectancy of five years for men, and four years for women.

Not one of the lucky sexually active seventy year olds and would like to be?  You’d do well to contact the Boston Medical Group

Belly Fat: A Serious Concern in Men’s Health

Dr. Michael Jensen, an endocrinology specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota recently voiced the growing concern regarding belly fat in men. Jensen discusses the risk that men take when disregarding the weight gain in their belly area. It may seem inevitable that as we age, men accumulate fat in that area, however, belly fat is worse to have than fat in other areas.

Having excessive belly fat can lead to a number of different health conditions such as:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Some types of cancer
• Metabolic syndrome
• Type 2 diabetes
• Insulin resistance
• Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as “good” cholesterol
• High triglycerides
• Sleep apnea

According to health specialists, a man can tell if he is carrying an unhealthy amount of belly fat if his waist exceeds 40 inches. At 40 inches, the risk of heart disease becomes far greater. To lose belly fat, Jensen recommends lowering your caloric intake, developing a light exercise routine; gradually increasing physical activity.

As Boston Medical Group often advises, a man’s sexual function relies partially on how well he takes care of his body. Eating healthily, exercising and visiting a doctor for regular check-ups is very important.  More information on weight loss and belly fat can be found at http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/belly-fat/MC00054/METHOD=print

It’s Not As Small As You May Think

If you are unhappy with the size of your penis, consider this: 85 percent of women are happy with the dimensions of their partner’s penis.

A study by two British urologists shows that many men suffer from “small penis syndrome” – caused by the anxiety of thinking one’s penis is small… when it isn’t.

The report urges doctors to not to dismiss their male patients’ worries, even though they most likely suffering an imaginary defect. Dismissing those concerns can aggravate their patients’ concerns.

The research found that 45 percent of men wish they had a larger penis, even though very few have a truly small penis – referred to clinically as a micropenis – that is less than 2.75 inches long when erect.

The average erect penis is about 5.5 to 6.2 inches long.

Looking for more information on this or other topics?  Boston Medical Group is dedicated to fostering men’s sexual health accross the United States.

Dried Tomatoes May Prevent Prostate Cancer

New findings by researchers at the University of Missouri suggest that dried tomatoes show a potential for preventing prostate cancer. In some cases, dried tomato product prolonged life by eleven weeks.

Credit: iStockphoto/John Peacock

“Processing of many edible plants through heating, grinding, mixing or drying dramatically increases their nutrition value, including their cancer prevention potential,” said Valeri V. Mossine, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Missouri.

Mossine and colleagues found that FruHis, an organic carbohydrate found in dehydrated tomato products, provides a strong protective effect.  During the research, a control diet and a tomato-based diet were set in place. After the test was completed, three times as many tumors were found in those not given the extract of Fruhis in their diet.

Mossine “evaluated the anti-cancer properties of FruHis and 14 other D-fructose amino acids and found that FruHis in a concentrated form protected against DNA damage known to lead to prostate cancer,” says the American Association for Cancer Research.

Mossine urged not to draw conclusions from such a preliminary test but said  “the result may introduce an additional intrigue into an ongoing dispute over the beneficial effects of dietary lycopene and tomato products in lowering the risk of prostate cancer. Human trials are certainly warranted.”

Source:  Science Daily

Sexual Rehabilitation on the Rise

An increasing number of men are turning to sexual rehabilitation, and many of them are coming out of it with improved sexual performance.  Men who have suffered from a trauma are especially in luck as positive results of sexual rehab continue to surface year after year.

Some of the first studies on sex rehab began in the mid ’60’s but it wasn’t until fairly recently did doctors begin to recognize the benefits of even discussing sexual performance as an effect of physical and mental trauma.

A study done in 1964 by Tuttle, Cook, and Fitch found that two-thirds of the 20 patients in their study, who were recovering from myocardial infarction (occlusion of the heart), received no advice about sexual activity from their doctor. “One-third received vague and nonspecific advice.”

“The most overpowering argument for providing sexual rehabilitation is that, without it, overall recovery may be delayed or extinguished.” (Frankel, 1967)

Sexual Rehabilitation can help with stress caused by the diagnosis of a disease as well as help cope with the struggle to regain one’s sexual function.  Boston Medical Group often takes this approach into account when developing treatment strategies.

For more extensive information and historical overview of sexual rehabilitation visit the Journal of Rehabilitation’s periodical here.

Maintaining Intimacy While Experiencing Sexual Dysfunction

It’s never easy to deal with sexual dysfunction — and maintaining a relationship at the same time can be even more difficult.  Here are a few tips and tricks to maintain intimacy within a relationship.

Often times, when comfortable in a relationship, the two individuals develop their own interests and spend less time doing things together. Take a 20-year marriage for example.  Taking time out of your day to enjoy hobbies with your significant other is a sure-fire way to keep things lively.  Take a hike, go out to a movie or even cook dinner together.

Communication is Key. Yes, we’ve all heard it before, but it’s often times more difficult in practice.  A healthy relationship, with a healthy sex life, has a strong form of communication.  Share the way you feel about the person in your life, discuss needs and desires and even aspirations for the future.

Alone time together can be one of the most important parts of a relationship. Sometimes just having a candlelit dinner and a bath together can set the mood.

Try new things! If things are getting dull between you two, why not experiment with new intimate techniques? Talk about it with your partner beforehand so as not to catch anyone off guard! Pick up a book in the local bookstore on ways to enhance intimacy; even without intercourse.

If ED is straining your private life, you might want to consider your options by talking to a specialist. Boston Medical Group is a great resource with helpful doctors and confidentiality is assured. You’re not alone and many men have already started improving their sex lives.

Understanding Sexual Dysfunction and Parkinson’s Disease

Although those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease are prone to sexual dysfunction, many authorities believe poor sexual health is not always a side effect of the disease.

While cases of Parkinson’s Disease severely affect the central nervous system and therefore affect the ability to obtain an erection, studies are finding that biological causes are not always the most accurate.

Parkinson’s Disease negatively affects the nervous system and therefore affects a man’s ability to obtain or retain an erection, can jeopardize blood flow to the penis, and causes rigidity and pain also experienced during sexual encounters.  Depression is also a side effect seen in patients with Parkinson’s Disease,but may be  caused more by the fear and anxiety of being diagnosed with the disease.

Because many patients experience depression after a  diagnosis, doctors will usually suggest an anti-depressant to help manage the depression.  In most cases, however, anti-depressants can be a primary cause of sexual dysfunction.

This is why it’s important to speak with your doctor about appropriate or alternative options for your sexual health concerns, if diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease or Clinical Depression..

Problems with erectile dysfunction?  You may want to contact Boston Medical Group to explore treatment.

Sexual Dysfunction in Obese Men Reverseable?

Dr. Ramsey M. Dallal, from Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, and colleagues may have found the key to regaining sexual function in obese men.

While there are serious health complications in men undergoing surgical weight loss procedures, Dallal  nonetheless offers evidence supporting the conclusion that sexual function loss in obese men can be reversed after having gastric bypass surgery.

Of the 97 obese men experiencing sexual dysfunction due to obesity, 100% of them saw improved function following gastric bypass surgery.

After losing an average of two-thirds of their excess weight, men experienced improved sexual function in direct correlation with amount of weight lost. Dallal and colleagues “estimate that a man who is morbidly obese has the same degree of sexual dysfunction as a non-obese man about 20 years older.”

After recovering from gastric bypass surgery, men show signs of improved sexual health in line with the average male in their age bracket.

Dallal recognizes sexual function as a reversible condition and also plans to explore the female connection between obesity and sexual health.

Do I Have Erectile Dysfunction?

It was once thought that erectile dysfunction was purely a psychological problem in the realm of men’s sexual health.  However, as technology advances, experts are finding scientific evidence that suggests erectile dysfunction is also biologically-based.

It is not uncommon for men to ejaculate sooner than they or their partner would like, although if the problem persists and begins to increase in frequency, it is possible that erectile dysfunction is occurring.

What to look for:

• Premature ejaculation occurs in a majority of your sexual encounters
• It causes stress or unusual concern
• Your sex-life was fine and now it is not
• You ejaculate before or shortly after intercourse begins
• You have difficulty maintaining an erection

Psychological causes include but are not limited to:

• Being in a  situation where you are hurrying
• Feelings of guilt that drive the need to rush during intercourse

While erectile dysfunction is sometimes caused by psychological distress, studies show that there are a number of biological components.

• Low hormone levels
• Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters
• Inflammation of the prostate or urethra
• Thyroid issues
• Nervous system problem caused by trauma or surgery.
• Narcotic withdrawal  and certain Anti-Anxiety medications.

For more information on how to treat erectile dysfunction visit the Boston Medical Group website.

Insecure About Sexual Performance? You’re Not Alone.

Independent market research company OnePoll recently questioned 2,000 men between the ages of 16 and 65 about their place in society.  Half of the respondents claimed to be unsatisfied with their position in society and their personal sexual performance.

Former GP and trustee of the Sexual Dysfunction Association, Dr John Tomlinson, said that an ‘enormous’ number of 18- to 40-year-olds were concerned about sexual problems.  He continued to suggest that advertisements including well-toned, physically flawless celebrities elicit a negative self-image in men.

Only 11% of 40-year-old men said their confidence is higher now than when they were younger.  One in three of those men said when they go out to meet women they consume alcohol to boost their confidence.

One in four respondents claimed inadequacy in the bedroom because of TV shows like “Sex and The City” where ideal men are those with immense stamina and a perfect build.

“Men are more likely than women to have fragile self-esteem, as they judge their status in society through success in a single sphere, such as their career, the size of their pay packet or the model of their car,” said British Psychologist, David Sharpley. Also, because men in general do not spend a lot of time in introspection or communicating their concerns, they often let health issues go untreated.