How men and women can win the battle of the libidos vs. performance, part two

You can support a more vibrant sex life by making comprehensive changes to your lifestyle. Most of these changes are simple, yet they might have profound effects in the bedroom.

• Make time to de-stress and have fun. Mother Nature was smart. She didn’t want us having babies during stressful times. Stress lowers testosterone, an important hormone for our libido and performance. Find activities that help relieve stress on a regular basis, and stick with them.
• Kick the smoking habit. Smoking can damage the blood vessels that affect performance and sensation.
• Think ‘better sex through nutrition’. Avoid processed and fast foods as they contain saturated and trans fats which can impair blood vessel health. Keep your energy levels and blood sugar stable with small frequent meals of nutrient-dense vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats.
• Schedule romance before dinner. There’s nothing like a big, heavy meal to crush your performance and desire, especially if it includes alcohol.
• Men, add a daily supplement to your regimen. Malaysian men have used Tongkat Ali for centuries. Research indicates that a standardized form of Tongkat Ali called PhysTA supports male performance and satisfaction. It was developed by MIT in conjunction with the Malaysian government to ensure you get a standardized potency. It’s one of the first products of this type to be backed by clinical research. Available as Tenaga, it is safe to take just as you would a multi-vitamin or antioxidant.
• Get fit and maintain a healthy weight. When you’re in better shape, you feel better about yourself and your stamina increases.
• Get plenty of rest. It makes no sense to make all of these other changes if you’re just going to fall asleep when your head hits the pillow.

Finally, remember that lack of intimacy can kill your sex drive, so be sure to schedule plenty of time for intimate, non-sexual time together from snuggling to back massages.

Sherry Torkos, BSc, Phm, is a pharmacist, author and certified fitness instructor. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1992 and practices holistic pharmacy in the Niagara region of Ontario. As a leading health expert, she has delivered hundreds of lectures to medical professionals and the public. She is frequently interviewed on radio and TV talk shows throughout North America and abroad.

Could you be experiencing male menopause?

If you thought menopause was something only women had to worry about, think again! While testosterone levels naturally decrease with aging, this dip in hormone levels may indicate an onset of “male menopause.” Male menopause, or andropause, represents a change in testosterone levels and its associated symptoms.

While menopause in women marks a complete hormone plunge and loss of fertility, male menopause tends to be much more gradual. If you’re healthy, you may still be able to produce sperm well into your seventies or even eighties, although subtle changes in testosterone levels can begin occurring in your forties or fifties.

You may experience less-intense versions of the typical symptoms of female menopause (think hot flashes, night sweats and lack of energy), but other symptoms that may indicate a decrease in testosterone include:

• Sexual problems, such as fewer erections, dip in desire or smaller testes
• Sleep disturbances
• Emotional changes, such as depression, poor concentration, nervousness or anxiety.
• Physical changes, such as decreased muscle mass and bone density, an increase in body fat, hair loss and swollen or tender breasts.

 You are more at risk to experience male menopause if you are obese or suffer from certain conditions, such as diabetes or cancer, or if your overall health is in tough shape. If you think you may be going through male menopause, talk to your doctor! Together you can discuss treatment options available to you.

Maintain your manliness: Beware of low testosterone levels

Besides supporting muscle growth and bone development, testosterone is also responsible for maintaining the male sex organs and male characteristics, such as hair growth and deepening of the voice. It’s basically the core of what makes us “manly”. Although it’s normal for testosterone levels to begin gradually declining after we turn 40, too big of a drop may cause some problems.

Watch out for these warning signs of low testosterone levels:

• Diminished sex drive
• Feeling less optimistic than normal, irritability and other mood problems
• Fatigue and decreased energy; an overall lack of drive and initiative
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty reaching orgasm
• Decreased ejaculate volume
• Testicle shrinkage
• Increased body fat; particularly around the middle (spare tire) or on the chest (man boobs)
• Decreased sensation in the genitals
• Reduced muscle mass
• Erectile dysfunction

If these symptoms ring a bell, talk to your doctor! Low testosterone levels may increase your risk for some serious conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

You should also know that cancer treatments may contribute to decreased testosterone levels, so if you’re undergoing chemotherapy or radiation be sure to pay extra attention to the warning signs. The same goes for the obese: you’re also at an increased risk.

Male Menopause on the Rise

Source: CBS News Health

Think women are the only ones forced to cope with hormonal changes in midlife? Think again. Experts say more than five million men experience the effects of hypogonadism, also known as male menopause. The condition is no easy feat for them, either—on top of a waning sexual drive and erectile dysfunction, other symptoms include mood swings, fatigue and reduced muscle mass. Today, CBS News discusses the increasingly prevalent male disorder supplemented with a bit of medical insight. [Read this article]