Understanding the Male Aging Process and the Penis: Top Myths Busted
Many cosmetic solutions and lifestyle overhauls can’t stop the inevitable aging process. While women are conditioned to address the gradual signs of aging through tightening, toning, and dyeing, the changes experienced by men often go unspoken. But aging impacts a man’s sexual health and function more than you’d think.
To find out what happens to the penis during the aging process, let’s address the most common questions with Associate Professor Tim Moss who has 20 years of experience.
1. Does the Penis Cause Trouble with Urination?
Contrary to popular belief, challenges with urination aren’t typically directly caused by the penis. Instead, enlargement of the prostate gland as men age interferes with urine flow. Many people assume that the penis changes in shape and size over adult life, but research has not definitively proven this to be true.
2. Is Male Menopause a Thing?
While women experience a sudden change in sex hormone levels during menopause, the same doesn’t apply to men, despite the concept of “male menopause” gaining traction. Factors like low testosterone levels are more likely to be linked to unmanaged chronic illnesses rather than aging itself.
3. Are Men Fertile Forever?
Although men produce sperm constantly, older men take longer to get their partners pregnant, and there’s a link between a father’s age when children are conceived and some neurodevelopmental problems in their children. Sperm count and quality do indeed decrease with age, leading to a misconception that male fertility lasts forever.
4. What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
The causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) usually depend on the age of the individual. In younger men, ED is associated with psychological indicators such as anxiety, while older men tend to experience ED as a result of physical health problems associated with worsening nerve and blood vessel function.
5. Is Erectile Dysfunction Inevitable?
According to Moss, roughly one in ten men under 40 experience ED, and almost every man over 85 has it. Yet, health problems like cardiovascular disease or diabetes, rather than aging itself, cause ED. Moreover, changes in erectile function usually occur gradually.
6. What Happens to the Libido?
While libido may decrease with age, changes to the adult sex drive happen all the time for several reasons. Additionally, the sensations experienced during sex are also likely to change with age.
7. Can You Reverse Anything?
According to Moss, a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent or slow down the associated changes caused by aging. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are key to keeping your penis in top shape.
8. What’s the Worst Thing You Can Do?
Aside from avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and not smoking, the worst thing anyone can do is ignore any questionable symptoms. Men need to seek help when they notice even small problems to prevent them from becoming big problems.
Source: [News.com.au](URL to share)
