Lust for Life

Keeping sexually active is also important as you grow older

(HealthDay) -- Sex in the senior years is possible, health experts say. All it takes is a positive attitude and willingness to tackle problems as you encounter them.

According to an article from MSNBC, sex in later life is becoming less of a taboo subject, in part, because of Viagra. But there's some truth to the use-it-or-lose-it theory, health experts say. So the deal is to keep yourself in the game, whether you are a man or a woman.

As women age, they do experience lower levels of estrogen. But staying sexually active can ensure that levels stay twice as high as they would if you abstain, the article says. For men, there is a drop in testosterone. But usually it's not enough to undermine sex. If there are problems with erectile function, medical problems should be ruled out. First, have your doctor check out the medicines you are taking. If medicine is a culprit, work with your doctor by changing the medication, changing the dosage, or adding another drug. There can be organic factors such as decreased blood flow caused by clogged arteries or other vascular problems. Neurological ailments, prostate surgery and diabetes also can be factors.

But there are common-sense steps you can take to avoid problems. Sex is like a lot of other physical activities. If you want to be good at it, don't smoke, eat right, don't drink too much and get plenty of exercise.

To find out more about why sex matters, you can read this article from ivillage.com. To find out more about healthy aging, you can read these article from the Mayo Clinic.

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