Sex Life In the Tank? Suggestions For Getting Back on Track

Sex Life In the Tank? Six Suggestions For Getting Back on Track

The movie, Hope Springs, with Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, which describes a couple that, have fallen out of love and had their sex life in the tank. With the help of a therapist, staring Steve Carrell, they were able to rekindle the sexual fire that they once had. What can you do if the same thing is happening to you?

Try Something New-It Is The Spice of Line
There’s biological evidence that novel experiences, both sexual and non-sexual, cause the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that’s connected to the pleasure center in your brain. Remember how exciting your romance was when you first met and first had sexual intimacy? That’s because the romance was novel and everything is novel and your brain responds accordingly.

Be creative. Try a different place, a different time, a different position, a new sex toy. Sex every Saturday night in bed with papa on top for 4 minutes is not going to cut it. Try having a morning quickie. Attempt sex in the shower, or on the kitchen island. Do it on the floor or in the changing room at Victoria’s Secret. It isn’t a secret that you won’t be the first couple that tried that venue! Try it at 25,000 feet on your next flight.

Got a headache or are too tired? Take a Romantic Break
All couples are tired at the end of a long day with many demands. By the time you get everyone to bed and deal with unavoidable chores, you just don’t have the energy for a romantic evening.
Instead of waiting until just before you put out the lights, take a break from the computer the newspaper or a TV show (unless it is Modern Family) for a romantic encounter before going night-night.

Take Your Sex Life Off of the Back Burner
Make a date with your partner. Set aside one day a week to have time together. Hire a baby sitter and leave the home for something special. I don’t suggest that you go for the humdrum such as dinner and a movie thing, which seems like it’s supposed to be a lead-in to sex. Instead tray a shared experience such as biking, bowling, or something silly. Return from your night out with new sexual vigor and you can be sure you will be singing, “Come on baby light my fire!” Now don’t make date-night a once upon a time event. Make it a priority and stick to it like you stick to the other obligations on your schedule. Let it become a habit, and you’ll feel reconnected, and the desire will just grow from there.

If It Hurts, Get Help-NOW
Sometimes it’s not that you’re not feeling in the mood, it’s that your body isn’t cooperating because sex is actually painful. This can be a big issue for women approaching menopause, and you might be too embarrassed to tell your partner. It is entirely normal for women to have vaginal dryness after menopause. When the vaginal lining becomes thin and dry this can result in painful intercourse. This pain is due to an estrogen deficiency and can be corrected with oral or topical estrogen creams or vaginal tablets.

For women who have had breast cancer and should not use any estrogen supplements, there are lubricating jellies like K-Y jelly Vaseline, or Replens that do not contain any estrogens but do decrease the friction and pain associated with sexual intimacy.
Some men have a condition called Peyroine’s disease, which results in a significant bend of the penis resulting in pain for both the man and the women. There are treatments for this condition and men should see their urologist. (For more information on Peyroine’s disease see my YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkZZPBdWztY)

Your Libido or Sex Drive Has Mysteriously Disappeared
A dwindling libido may not just be a sign of aging. It may be the sign of another health problem or behavioral issue. For example: Depression, anxiety, and hormonal imbalances can all contribute to sexual dysfunction. In men, the inability to get an erection can be an early warning sign of diabetes or heart disease, or testosterone deficiency. Some medications, including antidepressants and blood pressure drugs, can lower your sex drive. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can put a damper on sexual response. Even too much time on the bike can lead to problems in bed. Both men and women who are always on their spin bike or the small seat on a road bike can have problems with orgasm and arousal, because of the pressure put on the nerves and blood vessels that supply the penis or the vagina. Sleep apnea can also be a culprit and can lead to lack of oxygenation of the genital tissues. See blog (https://neilbaum.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/not-enough-sleep-can-lead-to-not-enough-sex/) for more information on sleep apnea and its treatment.

Bottom Line: Sex at age 20 is easy and fun and occurs without any effort. Sex in mid life can take some work, effort, and time. Invest in your relationship; you will be happier, healthier, and will have more love and affection from your partner. If that isn’t reason enough to get your sex life back on track, tell your partner that Dr. Baum prescribed it!

If you have any ideas for putting the fire and passion back into your relationships, let me hear from you. I’m always looking for new ideas. Don’t hold back. No idea is too wild or far out.

This blog was modified from a recent post on WebMD by Gina Shaw (https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/13939af485fb6048)

Spider Venom May Be Used To Treat Erectile Dysfunction-Never Be Afraid of Spiders Again

Scientists Say: Let’s Cure Erecile Dysfunction With Spider Venom!

Spiders and penises are two things most people want to keep far, far apart. Until now. New research suggests that the venom of one aggressive arachnid could be used in future treatments for erectile dysfunction (that is, if it doesn’t kill you first).

Say hello to the  Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer), also known as the armed spider, or as the banana spider. With an over four-inch leg span, this South and Central American native normally creeps around banana plantations, although some have wound up in American supermarkets and Canadian grocery stores. Flaccid fellows beware: On top of severe pain, a single bite from this eight-legged foe can cause you to lose control of your muscles—and if it’s not treated, the bite can screw up your ability to breathe so much so that you slowly die of oxygen deprivation.With a sip of the anti-venom, though, you’d recover in a week. And truth be told, only 10 people out of 7,000 are known to have actually died from a bite. Survivors tell of experiencing painful erections that last for more than four hours—a medical ailment known as priapism.

It’s this last side effect that interests Kenia Nunes, a physiologist at the Medical College of Georgia, who thinks this venom can be used to treat sexual dysfunction in both men and women. As outlined in her Journal of Sexual Medicine study, she first had to isolate the toxin to blame. “The venom of the P. nigriventer spider is a very rich mixture of several molecules,” Nunes told MSNBC. Feeding the active ingredient—a peptide called PnTx2-6—to a bunch of erection-challenged rats (with high blood pressure to boot), she discovered that it did indeed perk up these poor flaccid fellows.

Aside from achieving side-effect-free erections, the rat’s new-found potency is much different from drugs such as Viagra: Nunes discovered that the banana spider’s toxin follows different pathways to create erections, which has a major advantage.

Now she wants to see if this toxin can also help female sexual dysfunction. And if everything goes to plan, in the coming years, this spider toxin could wind up on drug store shelves and bedroom across the nation, causing shortness of breath of a very different kind.

 

Use It Or Lose It – Erectile Dysfunction Lower In Men Who Have Intercourse More Often

Men, I have good news for you.  Having intercourse more often may help prevent the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). A new study reports that researchers have found that men who had intercourse more often were less likely to develop ED.

Investigators from Finland observed that men reporting intercourse less than once per week had twice the incidence of erectile dysfunction compared with those reporting intercourse more than once per week. Also the risk of erectile dysfunction was inversely related to the frequency of intercourse, i.e., more intimacy less ED.

Regular intercourse has an important role in preserving erectile function among elderly men, whereas morning erection does not exert a similar effect. Continued sexual activity decreases the incidence of erectile dysfunction in direct proportion to frequency of intercourse.

Bottom Line:  Regular intercourse protects men from the development of erectile dysfunction, which may, in turn, impact general health and quality of life.  Therefore, if your partner tells you that they have a headache, you tell them your doctor said it was healthy for you to “do it”!

 

Want To Have a Longer Penis? Lose A Few Inches Around Your Waist

It seems every man is interested in the length of his penis.  Let the truth be told; it isn’t the length of the “member” that cuts the mustard, but how you use it that counts.  That being said, how can a man increase the length of his penis?  As men age, there is often an increase in girth of the abdomen which creates the illusion that the penis is smaller.  In actuality the penis size doesn’t change, but the perspective of man looking down over his protuberance makes the penis appear shorter.  (The same man may find that his shoes also appear shorter!)

Rule of thumb: If you lose 35 pounds, which means a decrease in abdominal fat, you gain over an inch in length in penis size….and you can see your shoes again!

Bottom Line: If you are looking for reasons to practice a healthy life style such as diet and exercise, then one of the benefits will be a perceived increase in length of your penis.

 

When Getting The Finger May Just Be A Good Thing-Finger Length Used to Detect Prostate Cancer

A recent study from England identified another predictor for prostate cancer.  Men with index fingers longer than the ring finger have a significantly less likelihood of developing prostate cancer.

The study demonstrated that men with the long index fingers were one-third less likely to develop prostate cancer.  This could be a very simple test for prostate cancer risk.  So the next time your doctor checks your prostate, don’t be surprised if he\she checks out the length of your index finger compared to your ring finger.  Or if you are a do-it-yourselfer, measure your index and ring finger lengths as shown in the accompanying figure and share the results with your doctor.

Men with long index fingers have a lower risk of prostate cancer, British scientists said on Wednesday, a finding that could be used to help select those who need regular screening for the disease.

The article appear in British Journal of Cancer in the November 30, 2010 issue.

 

An Apple a Day May Keep the Doctor Away-and Proscar or Avodart May Keep Prostate Cancer at Bay

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin malignancy in men and is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer, except for lung cancer. However, microscopic evidence of prostate cancer is found at autopsy in many if not most men. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that about 218,890 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in the United States during 2007. About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 man in 34 will die of it. More than 1.8 million men in the United States are survivors of prostate cancer.

There is some evidence that links exercise to better prostate health.  Exercise improves overall physical and mental health, so most medical professionals recommend at least a half an hour of exercise per week. Some studies indicate that regular exercise increases oxygen flow to the soft tissues of the body and helps to control glucose levels in the bloodstream. High levels of glucose may help fuel prostate cancer cells.

A healthy prostate diet is worth considering. High-fat and low-fiber diets and obesity seem to contribute to a higher risk of prostate cancer.  Some researchers believe that cancerous prostate cells can feed on fat, especially fats found in red meat and dairy products. Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish, soy, and flaxseed is known as the “heart-healthy” fats. Now we believe that the Omega-3 fatty acids are prostate healthy as well. Countries, like China and Japan, whose diets are based on fish proteins rather than red meat have much lower rates of prostate cancer. Soy products include tofu, soymilk, soy creamers, soy yogurts, soy ice creams, and tofu burgers.  Red grapes, grape juice, green teas, and red wine contain anti-oxidants that can neutralize cancer-causing agents within the body. Lycopene found in tomatoes, and beta-carotene may be beneficial in helping to protect the body from the risk of prostate cancer.  Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables may help boost the body’s cancer-fighting abilities.

Supplements such as vitamin E and selenium have been linked to a drastically decreased risk of prostate cancer. Studies of vitamin E and selenium seem to benefit those who were deficient in either Vitamin E or selenium, or who were ex-smokers. Studies have also noted that a daily regimen of aspirin or ibuprofen lowers risks of prostate cancer.

A few years ago a long-term study using the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, Proscar or Avodart, lowers the risk of prostate cancer.  This study as well as others has shown a 25% reduction in prostate cancer.  However, the risk of developing a high-grade cancer or a more aggressive cancer was greater in those men taking finasteride as compared to a placebo or sugar pill.

So what is a man to do?  If you are at risk for prostate cancer, i.e., you have a relative such as a father, brother, uncle with prostate cancer, are Afro-American, or are obese and consume a high fat and meat diet, then you should talk to your doctor about prostate cancer prevention using one of the agents like Proscar or Avodart.  For the rest of the men: get an annual digital rectal exam and a PSA blood test once a year after age 50 or after age 40 if you are at high risk for prostate cancer.

Bottom Line: Knowledge is your best weapon for good prostate health and avoiding prostate cancer. Some lifestyles, eating habits, and dietary supplements are thought to lead to lower levels of prostate cancer, as well as other cancers. Nobody can guarantee prostate cancer prevention through behavior, diet, treatment, or medicine, but there are things you can do to improve your odds.

 

 

 

Low T Can Lead To a High Risk of D….as in Death!

Testosterone is the male hormone produced in the testicles and is responsible for your libido or sex drive.  The blood level of testosterone can also be a marker for heart disease in men.  Low testosterone levels  predict worse outcomes  in men who already have heart disease. 

What isn’t clear is whether low testosterone causes or worsens heart disease-and whether testosterone replacement therapy would help prevent heart disease.  Testosterone replacement therapy may not reduce the risk of heart disease, however, studies demonstrate that you will feel better if your testosterone level returns to a normal level.

There are a lot of actions that you can take to lower your risk of heart disease: Lose weight, lower your blood pressure, exercise regularly, stop smoking, and lower your cholesterol level. The goal of testosterone replacement should be to approximate, not exceed, normal testosterone levels.

Bottom line: Get your testosterone level checked regularly. If it is low get a cardiac risk profile and start exercising!

Excerpt from journal Heart, October 20, 2010

The Penis Has a Mind of Its Own-What Can You Expect From Your Best Friend Who Resides Between Your Legs as You Enter Middle Age

Let’s face it guys, as we get older our sexual prowess and our ability to engage in sexual intimacy decreases.  As we age our testosterone level falls and many men enter into a male menopause, often called andropause.  As a result it takes more stimulation to create an erection and it may take more time to achieve an orgasm and the time between an ejaculation\orgasm and the next erection increases.  If this isn’t enough, there is a decrease in semen volume and the power of the ejaculation also diminishes as we enter middle age and beyond.

Coupled with a decrease in sex drive and a decrease in the rigidity of the erections with age, there is a decrease in the length of the penis.  For some men the decrease in the length is more apparent than real.  That is, with increasing age there is a concommitent accumulation of fat in the lower abdomen which makes the penis appear shorter to the man when he looks down at Willy when he and Willy are in the shower!  So if you are looking for some motivation to lose weight and, as a result, increase the size of your penis by an inch or two, this just might be the stimulus you have been waiting for!

For some men the loss of length is more than just a figment of the imagination. As men age the natural depositon of cholesterol placques inside the blood vessels will restrict the blood supply to the penis and thus impair the deliver of oxygen and nutrients from the blood stream which are so necessary for maintaining the function and the length of the penis.  By the way, this same process of cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels to the penis are also occurring in the blood vessels of the heart and can contribute to heart disease and even a heart attack.

Another natural and normal consequence of aging is that the penis becomes less sensitive.  Thus the need for more genital stimulation in order to achieve and maintain an erection.  When a man is in his sexual prime, age 20-30, the mere touch of a feather can illicit an erection.  For a man in his 50s, it may take several minutes of genital stimulation in order to achieve an erection.

But there is some good news.  Although we have fewer erections, and need to work harder to achieve an erection, the sexual gratification remains intact.  Older men enjoy sexual intimacy just as much as their younger counterparts.

Bottom Line:  Don’t say good by to sex or put Willy to sleep just because you have reached middle age.  Sex is still good whatever your age.  It just takes a little more time, a positive attitude, and, oh yes, a partner!

Want To Lose Weight? Check Your Testosterone Level!

This blog was excerpted from an article by Dr. Julius Goepp in Life Extension, October 2010.

Low testosterone promotes abdominal obesity in aging men. As men age, many men become trapped in a vicious cycle that leads to life-threatening abdominal obesity. No matter how much men exercise or how little they eat, these men are unable to shed this excess weight that accumulates in their belly. It has been demonstrated that low testosterone and obesity reinforced each other, trapping men in a spiral of weight gain and hormonal imbalance. In spite of this widespread threat to men’s health, most physicians do not test for testosterone levels in their obese male patients. If they did, millions of men could be protective against the scourge of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, erectile dysfunction and cancer. If you haven’t to be one of these plagued  men, please have your testosterone blood levels measure and share the results with your doctor. Experts now recommend testosterone testing for most men of middle-aged men and beyond.   There is compelling evidence for the role of testosterone therapy as a means of promoting weight loss.

Take Tea and See….Your Prostate Cancer Slow Down

Green tea may lower the risk of prostate cancer and slow the progress of tumors.  Research suggests a compound in the tea causes lower levels of a protein linked to prostate cancer.

A recent American study showed that men diagnosed with prostate cancer that hadn’t spread outside of the prostate gland were given six cups of green tea a day for three to six weeks before undergoing surgical removal of the prostate gland.  The other group or the control group received only hot water before their surgery to remove the prostate gland.

The researchers then examined the tissue that had been removed for levels of a compound known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

This compound was only found in the tea drinkers and not in the prostate glands of men drinking only the hot water. Blood tests also indicated the tea drinkers had lower levels of proteins connected to the growth and spread of prostate cancer. It is thought the compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, has an antioxidant effect, mopping up damaging free radicals.

Bottom Line:  If you have prostate cancer, you might consider placing green tea on your table as your beverage of choice.