Global Courant 2023-05-31 02:12:02
Are you not getting satisfaction? Then you may be at risk of cognitive passivity.
Low sexual satisfaction in middle age may be linked to memory loss later in life, according to a new study.
Led by researchers at Pennsylvania State University, the study followed 818 men over the age of 12, aged 56 to 68 years. Researchers tested and measured participants’ memory and processing speed over time, and found that reported declines in erectile function and sexual satisfaction correlated with future memory loss.
“Sexual health research has traditionally focused on quantifiable facets of sexuality, such as the number of sexual partners or the frequency of sexual activity,” said lead author and Penn State doctoral student Riki Slayday in a statement. press release. “What we were interested in is the perception of that activity, how someone feels about their sex life and how that affects cognitive function, because multiple people can be physically in the same situation but experience completely different levels of satisfaction.”
Subjects were followed from middle age, as it represents a period when declines in cognition, sexual satisfaction, and erectile function begin to emerge. Researchers say the strong correlation between the three variables points to a general connection between physical and psychological health.
“When we mapped the relationship over time, we found that increases or decreases in erectile function and sexual satisfaction were associated with simultaneous increases or decreases in cognitive function,” Slayday said. “These associations survived adjustment for demographic and health factors, which tells us there is a clear link between our sex life and our cognition.”
The study was published in the most recent issue from The Gerontologist, a peer-reviewed academic journal. Gerontology refers to the scientific study of aging.
Co-author and Penn State professor Martin Sliwinski, a professor of human development and family studies, says the study also builds on other studies that have found links between life satisfaction and cognitive performance.
“Scientists have found that if you have low levels of satisfaction in general, you are at greater risk for health problems such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease and other stress-related problems that can lead to cognitive decline,” explains Sliwinski in the press release. “We tell people to exercise more and eat better. We show that sexual satisfaction is also important for our health and overall quality of life.”
Because the relationship between cardiovascular health and erectile function is well understood, Sliwinski believes doctors should view erectile dysfunction as a warning sign of other health problems, including the risk of future cognitive decline.
“We already have a pill for the treatment of erectile dysfunction,” Sliwinski said. “What we don’t have is an effective treatment for memory loss. Instead of the conversation being about treating ED, we need to see that as a leading indicator of other health issues and also focus on improving sexual satisfaction and overall well-being , not just treating the symptom.”
