A healthy sexual relationship can promote every aspect of your life, including your physical health and self-esteem. And although sex in your idle or later years may be a bit atypical from how it was in your twenties, it can be every bit as pleasing and fulfilling. Simply understand the normal changes that are occurring in your body and your partner’s body. These changes can affect your capability to have and enjoy sex and, if not addressed, you might have difficulties with arousal or performance (sexual dysfunction). Results from a national research of people aged 18 to 59 years reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicate that sexual dysfunction is common among both women (43 percent) and men (31 percent).
Boost Your Sex Drive with Goji
Your libido (sex drive) is regulated by the hormone testosterone. Although classified as a male hormone, testosterone is produced by both men and women. As you grow older, your body produces less testosterone. Thus results significantly diminished interest in sex.
The renowned herbalist Ron Teeguarden reports that in Chinese studies, goji was shown to markedly increase testosterone levels in the blood, increasing libido in test subjects.
Testosterone is not the only hormone that influences your desire for sex and sexual pleasure. As women approach menopause, you may experience a drop in levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. This causes vaginal tissues to become thinner, drier, and less flexible, which makes sexual activity unpleasant or even painful. Longer foreplay and the use of water-based lubricants can help, and having intercourse regularly actually helps maintain lubrication and elasticity. You may find yourself feeling too exhausted or ill to enjoy sex. Changing hormone levels can also cause you to have problems sleeping, and can result in heavy, irregular, or lengthy menstrual periods.
Your desire for sex is also influenced by emotional factors. According to the Association of Reproductive Professionals, at least 50 percent of troubles with sexual desire have to do with relationships. For example, partners may have problems communicating with one another about their feelings in general, or their sexual needs. They may have monotonous sexual routines, or may no longer feel sexually attracted to each other. Feeling drained or stressed about your life situation — your job, finances, children — and other factors can also cause you to lose interest in sex.
If you feel that things like gray hair or wrinkles make you less attractive or desirable to your sexual partner, then you may find yourself looking to avoid sex. Thus, your body image is also important.
As men age, it might take you longer to achieve an erection. Your erections may be less firm and may not last as long. After climax, it may take longer before an erection is again possible. Some men may find they need more foreplay. As men get older, erectile dysfunction (ED) becomes more widespread. Also referred to as impotence, ED is the loss of capacity to have and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
By age 65, about 15 to 25 percent of men have this problem at least one out of every four times they are having sex as reported by the National Institute on Aging. This may happen in men with heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes — either because of the disease or the medicines used to treat it.
For enhanced male arousal and sexual performance, one should have freedom from stress and distraction. If you are overly stressed with worries about how you will perform, it can trigger impotence. More than enough reserves of stamina and endurance are also necessary for a stress-free sexual experience.
Goji berries have been traditionally considered in Asia as a longevity, strength-building, and sexual potency food of the highest order. In several study groups with elderly people, the berry was given once a day for three weeks. The results showed that spirit and optimism increased significantly in all patients.
Consequently, nearly all patients reported improved appetite and better quality of sleep. More than 35 percent of the patients saw a marked recovery of sexual function.
The goji berry is also legendary for helping to spark the passions. In fact, an old Chinese proverb cautions men who are traveling far from their wives and families: “He who travels one thousand kilometers from home should not eat goji!”