What is "sexual aging"? The so-called sexual aging refers to the physiological and psychological phenomenon that human reproductive and sexual functions decline with age. So, what are the factors that affect human sexual aging?

1. Psychosexual factors

There is a survey in sexual medicine: 83% and 70% of men aged 60 to 65 and 65 to 70 can lead a normal sexual life respectively. This shows that it is a normal psychological and physiological requirement for a healthy old man to have a sexual life. The idea that sexual life is a "patent" for young people and that the elderly do not need to "care about it" is wrong. Another understanding is that "only sexual intercourse is sexual life", which is insulated from sex and affects the relationship between couples. That is to say, sexual intercourse not only refers to the satisfaction of the desire for relief, but also includes the satisfaction of the desire for contact, that is, psychological satisfaction, so the elderly Regarding sexual life, sexologists believe that sexual desire is divided into two types: desire for contact and desire for fullness and satiety relief. Kissing, hugging, talking, and emotional communication are also psychologically satisfying, which is beneficial to the physical and mental health of both parties. If this kind of psychological barrier occurs between couples, they must try to remove it in order to prevent sexual aging.

2. Sexual physiological factors

Many people believe that the misunderstanding of sexual physiology such as "saving sperm can lead to longevity" will prevent the sexual life of old people from thousands of miles away, which will accelerate the process of sexual aging. A proper sexual life will not only not affect your health, but will prolong your life. If the elderly have no sexual life, the gonadotropins in the testicles and anterior pituitary gland will decrease, which will accelerate the process of sexual aging.

Women's menopause generally begins after the age of 40 and lasts for more than ten years, and the rate of aging is significantly accelerated. This is caused by a drop in estrogen levels. After the age of 50, men's testosterone secretion decreases, and about 50% of men will suffer from menopausal syndrome, including weakness, insomnia, and lack of interest in sexual life. Among men aged 50 to 70, the incidence rate of ED reaches 50%. Because it is not treated in time, the measures cannot keep up, delaying the prevention and treatment opportunities of sexual aging.

3. Sexual life factors

Sexology experts believe: "People who have no sexual life will develop degenerative sexual atrophy. Moderate sexual life can help keep the brain young, prevent brain softening, and promote metabolism." Older men are prone to " Older women are prone to "vaginal atrophy" and sexual function decline. Because sex can promote hormone secretion, and strong sex hormones are the material basis for delaying sexual aging. Sex can also promote the secretion of endorphins in the body, enhance the activity of macrophages and interferons, and can prevent and reduce the occurrence of male prostate cancer and female breast cancer. The research results of foreign scholars have consistently shown that single elderly people have a higher death rate than married people, and widowed people have a higher death rate than those who grow old together. American scientists have found that couples with a harmonious sex life still maintain good sexual desires until they die.

4. Lifestyle factors

If you do not pay attention to a scientific diet, do not pay attention to physical exercise, and develop bad habits of drinking and smoking, it will accelerate sexual aging and shorten people's life span.

Improper diet, high-fat, high-sugar, and high-sodium diet can lead to arteriosclerosis in the human body, leading to the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes. Arteriosclerosis also affects penile blood flow and leads to erectile dysfunction. Patients with high blood pressure often take antihypertensive drugs for a long time, which can also inhibit sexual function.

Heavy smoking can affect sexual function and sexual response. The University of Pretoria in South Africa conducted a study on 116 men with impotence caused by blood vessel problems in 1986 and found that 108 of them were smokers. Almost two-thirds of the elderly patients with impotence smoked, and their smoking volume was almost that of ordinary men. Twice as much as smokers. Long-term smoking can also affect sexual response.

Drinking alcohol can affect the reproductive system. Long-term drinking can cause low fertility in men. Excessive drinking can induce prostatitis and even secondary sexual dysfunction. Long-term heavy drinking can cause testicular atrophy and decreased testosterone levels in men. Long-term drinking in women can cause irregular menstruation and even loss of sex appeal.

5. Genetic factors

Genetic science has revealed the root cause of human aging. The culprit is free radicals, which can reduce the permeability of cell membranes and even damage enzymes and DNA, causing cells to gradually shrink and die.

Through repeated observations and comparisons of human genetic maps, scientists have discovered that there is a longevity gene on human chromosome 4, and apolipoprotein E2 type also has the effect of extending lifespan. If a substance can be invented that can stimulate the growth of longevity genes, it will undoubtedly be able to slow down the rate of human aging. At the same time, scientists have traced the home base of free radicals, NADPH oxidase, in the blood. If the expression of this enzyme can be inhibited, the generation of free radicals can be prevented. Experiments on mice have proven that the above two methods can extend people's life span by 35%.