You're never too old for great sex
:oops: :oops:
if you watch primetime tv dramas or listen
to lyrics of current pop songs, you might
think that sex is only for younger adults.
This simply isn’t true. Sexual
feelings and desires are with us
throughout our entire lives. In fact,
according to the mayo foundation for
medical research and education, most
people still have sexual fantasies and
desires well into their 80s and 90s.
In 1999, an important aarp (american
association for retired persons) study
asked mature americans:
"is a satisfying sexual relationship
important to your quality of your life?"
percentage of respondents answering yes:
unlike past generations, few of us today
are willing or ready to give up feeling
active and alive just because we are
growing older. As we progress inevitably
from youth into middle age and beyond, we
want to partake – for as long as
possible – in those pleasurable
activities that keep us feeling young.
That includes enjoying intimate
relationships.
A healthy sexual relationship can benefit
every aspect of your life, including your
physical health and self-esteem. And
although sex in your middle or later years
may be a bit different from the way it was
in your twenties, it can be every bit as
enjoyable and fulfilling. All that’s
required is an understanding of the normal
changes that are taking place in your body
and your partner’s body. These changes
can affect your ability to have and enjoy
sex and, if not addressed, they can result
in difficulties with arousal or
performance (sexual dysfunction). Results
from a national survey of people aged 18
to 59 years reported in the journal of the
american medical association indicate that
sexual dysfunction is common among both
women (43 percent) and men (31 percent).
What drives your sex drive? Your libido
(sex drive) is regulated by the hormone
testosterone. Although classified as a
male hormone, testosterone is produced by
both men and women. As you age, your body
produces less testosterone. The result?
Your interest in sex may diminish
significantly.
Revive your sex drive
the noted herbalist ron teeguarden reports
that in chinese studies, goji was shown to
markedly increase testosterone levels in
the blood, increasing libido in test
subjects.
Coping with change
men and women experience different changes
in their bodies as they age.
Women
testosterone is not the only hormone that
affects your desire for sex and sexual
pleasure. As you approach menopause, you
may experience a drop in levels of the
female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
This causes vaginal tissues to become
thinner, drier, and less flexible, which
can make sexual activity uncomfortable or
even painful. Longer foreplay and the use
of water-based lubricants can help, and
having intercourse regularly actually
helps maintain lubrication and
elasticity.
Changing hormone levels can also cause you
to have problems sleeping, and can result
in heavy, irregular, or lengthy menstrual
periods. You may find yourself feeling
too tired or ill to enjoy sex.
Emotional factors can also affect your
desire for sex. The association of
reproductive professionals informs us that
at least 50 percent of problems with
sexual desire have to do with
relationships. For example, partners may
have problems communicating with one
another about their feelings in general,
or their sexual needs. They may have
boring sexual routines, or may no longer
feel sexually attracted to each other.
Feeling drained or stressed about your
life situation — your job, finances,
children — and other factors can also
cause you to lose interest in sex.
Your body image is also important. If you
feel that things like gray hair or
wrinkles make you less attractive or
desirable to your sexual partner, then you
may find yourself looking to avoid sex.
Men
as you age, it might take you longer to
achieve an erection. Your erections may
be less firm and may not last as long.
After climax, it may take longer before an
erection is again possible. Some men may
find they need more foreplay.
As men get older, erectile dysfunction
(ed) becomes more common. Also referred
to as impotence, ed is the loss of ability
to have and sustain an erection firm
enough for sexual intercourse.
According to the national institute on
aging, by age 65, about 15 to 25 percent
of men have this problem at least one out
of every four times they are having sex.
This may happen in men with heart disease,
high blood pressure, or diabetes —
either because of the disease or the
medicines used to treat it.
Freedom from stress and distraction are
required elements for male arousal and
sexual performance. If you are overly
stressed with worries about how you will
perform, it can trigger impotence. Ample
reserves of stamina and endurance are also
necessary for a stress-free sexual
experience.
Goji fights fatigue, boosts stamina
an animal study showed that goji’s
master molecule polysaccharides induced a
remarkable increase in exercise tolerance
and stamina, and helped to eliminate
fatigue.
Beating health-related sexual dysfunction
illness, disability, and medications can
affect your ability to have and enjoy sex.
But, even the most serious health
problems don’t have to stop you from
having a satisfying sex life.
Arthritis
joint pain can make sexual contact
uncomfortable. Exercise, rest, warm
baths, and changing the position or timing
of sexual activity can be helpful.
Goji activates arthritis-fighting enzyme
an important study in china found that the
ingestion of goji resulted in a remarkable
40 percent increase of the body’s most
powerful anti-inflammatory enzyme.
Diabetes
although many men with diabetes do not
have sexual problems, this is one of the
few illnesses that can cause impotence.
Goji and diabetes
goji has been used in china for the
treatment of adult-onset diabetes for many
years, as it is said to balance blood
sugar and insulin response.
Heart disease
narrowing and hardening of the arteries
known as atherosclerosis can change blood
vessels so that blood does not flow
freely. This can lead to trouble with
erections in men, as can high blood
pressure.
Some people who have had a heart attack
are afraid that having sex will cause
another attack. The chance of this is
very low. Most people can start having
sex again 3 to 6 weeks after their
condition becomes stable following an
attack, if their doctor agrees.
Take heart with goji
the effects of goji on endothelial
function were observed by jia yx et al
(1998) in china. Their results showed
that the increase of blood pressure in
hypertensive rats could be prevented
significantly by treatment with goji
polysaccharides.
Tips for a lifetime of better sex
communicate with your partner. Ask about
his or her needs and ways that you can
accommodate each other.
Make changes to your routine. For
example, try sex in the morning – when
you have the most energy.
Try new positions. You might find one
that’s more comfortable for you and your
partner.
See your doctor if you think you have a
health problem that is stopping you from
enjoying sex.
Eat a balanced diet, with plenty of
fruits, vegetables and fluids.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day,
at least 3 days per week.
Avoid alcohol, as excessive use decreases
sexual function in both men and women.
Try to reduce the stress in your life.
Keep a positive outlook on life.
And, most importantly, drink goji juice
every day.
Goji berries have been traditionally
regarded in asia as a longevity,
strength-building, and sexual potency food
of the highest order. In several study
groups with elderly people, the berry was
given once a day for three weeks. The
results showed that spirit and optimism
increased significantly in all patients.
Additionally, nearly all patients reported
improved appetite and better quality of
sleep. More than 35 percent of the
patients saw a marked recovery of sexual
function.
The goji berry is also legendary for
helping to spark the passions. In fact,
an old chinese proverb cautions men who
are traveling far from their wives and
families: "he who travels one thousand
kilometers from home should not eat
goji!"
usual dosage level
research and traditional use suggest a
daily intake of 3 to 4 ounces of
high-quality standardized goji juice,
taken with meals. An additional 2 to 4
ounces may be taken before sexual activity
if desired.
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This page was last updated on April 1, 2008