Low sexual satisfaction in middle-aged men linked to future memory loss
A fulfilling sex life in middle age could help reduce the risk of memory decline in later years.
A study led by scientists at Penn State University in Pennsylvania in the US tracked the correlation between erectile dysfunction, sexual satisfaction, and cognition in hundreds of men aged between 56 and 68.
It found that declines in sexual satisfaction and erectile function were associated with future memory loss. Lower erectile dysfunction in particular was linked to worse-than-usual cognitive performance and a decline in processing speed over time.
The study, published in the latest issue of the journal Gerontologist, is the first to longitudinally track sexual satisfaction in tandem with sexual health and cognition, the researchers said. Its findings point to a potential novel risk factor for cognitive decline.
Martin Sliwinski, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State and co-author on the study, said: “Scientists have found that if you have low satisfaction generally, you are at a higher risk for health problems like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease and other stress-related issues that can lead to cognitive decline
“Improvements in sexual satisfaction may actually spark improvement in memory function. We tell people they should get more exercise and eat better foods. We’re showing that sexual satisfaction also has importance for our health and general quality of life.”
Riki Slayday, a doctoral candidate at Penn State and lead author on the study, added the findings show there is a connection between how a person feels about their sex life and their cognitive health.
She said: “Research on sexual health has historically focused on quantifiable facets of sexuality like number of sexual partners or frequency of sexual activity. What we were interested in is the perception of that activity, how someone feels about their sex life, and how that influences cognitive function, because multiple people could be in the same situation physically but experience completely different levels of satisfaction.”
The study explored the relationship between physical changes, like the microvascular alterations relevant for erectile function, and psychological variations, such as lower sexual satisfaction, to determine how the adjustments relate to cognition.
The team examined the shifts starting in middle age because it represents a transition period where declines in erectile function, cognition and sexual satisfaction begin to emerge.
Professor Sliwinski added that while the team discovered a strong correlation between the three health factors, they can only speculate as to the cause.
For the study, the researchers used survey data from 818 men who participated in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging.
Through neuropsychological tests looking at the likes of memory and processing speed, they examined cognitive changes of participants over the 12-year span from age 56 to 68, adjusting for their brain-based skills in young adulthood.
Their erectile function and sexual satisfaction were measured alongside cognition, using the International Index of Erectile Function, a self-reported assessment for male sexual health. The researchers then built a statistical model to understand how the three variables changed as individuals aged.
The study found that decreases in erectile function and sexual satisfaction were both associated with memory decline, which the researchers said points to a connection between psychological and physical health.
Ms Slayday said: “When we mapped the relationship over time, we found increases or decreases in erectile function and sexual satisfaction were associated with concurrent increases or decreases in cognitive function. These associations survived adjustment for demographic and health factors, which tells us there is a clear connection between our sex lives and our cognition.”
Prior studies have found a link between microvascular changes and those noted in erectile function over time. In fact, the active ingredient in Viagra was originally developed to treat cardiovascular problems, so the connection between vascular health and erectile function is understood.
The researchers said how erectile function connects to other aspects of health should now be an area of focus for future study.
Increasing the assessment and monitoring of erectile function as a vital sign of health may help identify those at risk of cognitive decline before their 70s, Professor Sliwinski said.
The researchers noted that the older adult population in the US – as elsewhere across the globe – is expected to double over the next 30 years, meaning twice as many people will likely enter their 60s and experience declines in erectile function and sexual satisfaction.
Professor Sliwinski said: “We already have a pill for treating erectile dysfunction. What we don’t have is an effective treatment for memory loss. Instead of the conversation being about treating ED, we should see that as a leading indicator for other health problems and also focus on improving sexual satisfaction and overall well-being, not just treating the symptom.”
