How men can recharge their sexual energy

How men can recharge their sexual energy

If a lack of energy has drained a man’s desire for sex, there are ways to reignite the passion. Men generally enjoy a high sex drive for decades of their life, but it is not uncommon for that energetic drive to diminish.  When libido is running low, a man most likely also has low energy in other areas of his life. He may become apathetic, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities which can also result in a more sedentary lifestyle.

If and when a man feels he has lost his sexual energy, he should not believe his sex life has ended and nothing can be done about it. Fortunately, there are several strategies to be addressed to get a man back in the game.

Energy drainers affecting a man’s sex life

What diminishes a man’s sexual energy usually revolves around some kind of physical, emotional, or relationship issue. Here is a look at the most common issues:

·      Erectile dysfunction

Experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) for the first time can be a blow to a man’s self-esteem.  He may have believed it would never happen to him. But when it does, the feeling of embarrassment or worry over how his partner will judge him can be overwhelming. The motivation and sexual energy necessary to perform can quickly be depleted.

Any man with ED needs to bring up the topic with his doctor. There are several ED medications that work well along with other options for getting and keeping an erection. It also helps if a man can learn to open up and talk about what is going on.  Men should realize they are not alone in experiencing ED and there is help and support out there for them. 

·      Low testosterone

Male hypogonadism or low testosterone is a condition in which the body does not produce enough of the male hormone, testosterone.  Testosterone plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty.

One of the most common side effects of hypogonadism is fatigue. Other signs can be loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, hair loss, reduced bone mass, reduction in testicle size, and low sexual energy. 

Testosterone levels begin to drop about 1% each year beginning in a man’s late 30s and could fall by as much as 50% by age 70.  To determine levels of testosterone, a blood test is taken at a doctor’s office. If a man is found to have insufficient testosterone levels, testosterone replacement therapy or TRT can be given by absorbable pellet implants, topical gels, patches, and injections.  This therapy can ignite a spark reawakening a man’s sexual energy. 

·      Lack of sleep

Anyone who has poor sleep knows well what an energy zapper it can be.  A night of restless sleep results in sluggish behavior the next day. Lack of sleep also increases stress and interferes with how a man’s body and brain is storing and using energy. And, let’s not forget how poor sleep will affect a man’s sex drive.

Any man struggling to get a good night’s sleep should discuss this with his doctor. There are several things that need to be investigated.  Sleep apnea is one area that should be addressed. A review by their doctor to see if a change in prescribed medications or dosage is needed or if cognitive behavioral therapy could be of help. Or it could simply be that adjusting diet and sleep environment or behaviors is all it takes for improved sleep.

·      Lack of exercise

It’s kind of a vicious circle.  If you lack sexual energy, likely you’ll lack energy for exercise and vice versa.  Yet regular exercise is one of the best natural energy boosters out there. Numerous studies have linked physical activity with improving fatigue, especially among people who are sedentary.

All it takes is to take the first step and initiative to get moving – start off slowly and build up to at least 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous exercise.  Brisk walking, bicycling, swimming, tennis, whatever a man enjoys the most can be the trick to reigniting a lackluster sex life. Focusing on a combination of cardio and weight-bearing exercise is a good start.

·      Medical conditions

Numerous medical conditions can put a damper on sexual energy. Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or thyroid issues can be culprits robbing a man of interest in sex.  For men who already have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, discuss with their doctor about the problem.  For men experiencing less energy for intimacy but does not have a diagnosis for any medical condition, it may be time to for a thorough checkup just to be sure one doesn’t already exist.  

Is frequent sex the prescription for a longer life?

Is frequent sex the prescription for a longer life?

Most of us are familiar with the standard guidelines for living a long life – don’t smoke, eat a healthy diet, exercise, reduce stress, and be sure to get adequate sleep.  But there’s one more activity to add to the list giving us an extra dose of longevity – frequent lovemaking.

We know sex is for procreation, its’ fun and can build intimacy within a relationship.  But is it true it could also increase our life expectancy?  It may be possible. Healthy sex is essential to a healthy life and when we are healthy, we are more likely to live longer. 

Research has even backed this notion up of the health benefits resulting from a healthy and active sex life, particularly for women.  Don’t worry men – sex may also extend your length of years.  A study from a few years back showed that men with a high frequency of orgasms had a 50 percent reduction in mortality risk. 

So, just how exactly does sex hold a key to longevity?  Let’s look at several ways in which an active fulfilled sex life not only adds life to your years, but years to your life:

·      Sex strengthens the immune system

Tired of fighting colds, the flu or infections?  Have more sex.  A study done at Wilkes University demonstrated that couples who have sex at least two times a week tend to have higher amounts of the antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA) than couples who engaged in sex less than once a week.  IgA is a necessary component in beating back sickness and for keeping the immune system strong.

·      Sex involves touch

One of the most intimate aspects about sex is the value of touch.  All of us need and thrive upon being touched.  It is well known that animals and babies deprived of physical touch are sickly and often do not develop normally.  Having sex means plenty of touching and caressing of various body parts.  This helps create bonds between a couple vital for social support for one another.  Being touched can increase self-esteem as frequent touching is a way to communicate someone’s worth to one another.  Touch can also release hormones and other substances much like meditation or other stress-relieving activities.  Sex basically can give that feeling of being wanted and needed which we all crave.

·      Sex reduces stress and lowers blood pressure

During an orgasm, not only is the feeling euphoric but the release of oxytocin helps calm nerves and can help counter the effect of cortisol, a stress hormone.  Don’t take offense if after sex your partner rolls over and falls fast asleep.  Oxytocin is also responsible for promoting sleep and better quality sleep.  In regards to blood pressure, European researchers found that the more frequent couples had sex, the more their blood pressure reduced. 

·      Sex may ward off prostate cancer

Researchers with the Health Professionals Follow-up study tracked orgasms in almost 32,000 men for 18 years and found that as orgasm frequency increased especially when men were in their twenties, the more their prostate cancer risk decreased later in life.  Men who reported 21 or more orgasms a month had a 33 percent less likelihood of developing prostate cancer compared to men who only ejaculated seven times or less a month. 

·      Sex may preeclampsia in pregnant women

Pregnant women can be at risk of developing a condition called preeclampsia which can result in abnormally high blood pressure and protein in the urine in the latter half of a pregnancy. Preeclampsia affects between 3 and 5 percent of pregnant women and if left untreated can put a woman at risk of brain injury, impaired kidney and liver functioning, blood clots, pulmonary edema, seizures, and in severe forms can result in maternal and infant death. 

Research has shown that a special protein called HLA-G found in a man’s sperm may have a positive impact on preventing preeclampsia.  HLA-G can help regulate the body’s immune system.  The study showed that if a woman has had enough exposure to her partner’s semen prior to conception, she is significantly less likely to get preeclampsia. 

·      Sex and heart disease

To reduce your risk of developing heart disease or a stroke, it looks like an active sex life can possibly make this happen.  In 2010, the New England Research Institute conducted a large study which found that regular sexual activity may reduce heart disease risk while infrequent sex appeared to predict a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease independent of erectile dysfunction. 

·      Sex as a physical activity

No one would deny sex gets us in some precarious positions.  Having sex certainly counts as physical activity and sometimes even reaches the level of ‘moderate’ exercise.  While in the act, your heart races, your metabolic rate increases, calories are being burned all while stretching and strengthening muscles.  Like any physical activity, you get out of it what you put into it, so the more intense and vigorous sex is, the more of a fun workout it can be.