One of the usual concerns of an aging man is sex, that is, his sexual drive and his ability to perform with a partner. As men age, their testosterone levels begin to decline, to a point where symptoms begin to gradually show until it ultimately causes problem to the person. I remember I already talked about male menopause or what’s medically-termed as andropause. In that post, I have discussed about diminishing testosterone levels and how it can affect you as a person sexually. Of course, your sexual problems may or may not be caused by andropause as you need to get tested first before you can really be certain. Knowing the root cause of your problem can really help you and your doctor arrive in a better solution for your problem. With that said, senior men, once they experience sexual problems, should consult their doctors at once and not be ashamed of it at all as the problem may be a direct result of another underlying health condition that needs immediate attention.
A healthy sex life is needed– young or old–however, for some older men, sexual satisfaction becomes harder to achieve unlike when they were younger and things were less complicated. It was said that a healthy sex life benefits the overall outlook of a person, including his self-esteem and physical health. I have male friends who are old and mature enough to actually sit down and share with me their sexual experiences while aging and I must say, not being able to deliver well in bed takes toll emotionally. I have seen it in their defeated eyes. Some of their usual concerns are diminishing sex drive or sexual interest, achieving and maintaining an erection, and stamina. I even heard from a male friend that sex in seniors is more like “hit or miss”, sometimes you hit, sometimes you miss. While sexual problems in seniors don’t usually go away on their own, there are ways you can improve your sex life:
·    Learn to communicate well with your partner. A longtime partner is most likely to understand your problem since you already established a bond with her. She may even help you assess your situation and point out the things you have missed. Knowing where you are coming from without risking unfair judgment is essential in keeping you comfortable doing the act itself.
·    Befriend your doctor. There are many prescription medications for sexual concerns nowadays, especially for men and most certainly, your doctor will be the first to know of these things. These days, nothing is impossible with science.
·    Change the way you see sex. It’s not all about penetration, it also involves satisfaction. Women in general like to be cuddled and romanced which includes some sex—but not entirely sex, sex, sex. Open your mind to these possibilities, explore it and you’ll be amazed to find it can actually satisfy you more than just having sex.
·    Timing is important. Choose the time of the day when you’re in your most energetic. Also, gauge yourself what works for you best. Do you need more stimulation or perhaps some mood setting activity? By all means, do so.
·    Whatever happens, stay healthy, active and positive. These are the things what will help you boost your self-esteem, with or without sex life. After all, who in the earth would like to be called as “grumpy, old man”?