DR MAXWELL ADEYEMI

The human body undergoes certain changes, from birth, toddler, teenage, young and mature adult, middle age, and then the geriatric years. These changes are natural developmental processes.

Men's sexual health

Sex is an important part of life and for many men, thinking about sex starts early, often before puberty, and lasts until they die. On one level, sex is just another hormone-driven bodily function designed to perpetuate the species. On another, it's a pleasurable activity. It's also an activity that can help cement the bonds between two people.

Sexual health refers to a state of well-being that lets a man fully participate in and enjoy sexual activity. A range of physical, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors influence a man's sexual health.

Optimal male sexual health includes sexual desire (libido) and the ability to get and sustain an erection (erectile function). Physiology, mental health and emotional factors can affect the desire for sex and the ability to have sex.

Male sexual health isn't merely the absence of disease. Problems with men's sexual health can manifest in many ways.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get an erection or to maintain it long enough for satisfying sexual activity. Many things can cause ED, including stress, depression, relationship issues, abnormally low testosterone, damage from urological surgery, and even cholesterol-clogged arteries. In fact, it is often an early warning sign for heart disease.

Men can also experience difficulties related to ejaculation, including premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, or the inability to experience orgasm upon ejaculation (anorgasmia).

Male sexual health also covers the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and the assessment and treatment of male infertility.

Testosterone is the hormone that gives men their 'manliness.' Produced by the testicles, it is responsible for male characteristics like a deep voice, muscular build, and facial hair. Testosterone also fosters the production of red blood cells, boosts mood, keeps bones strong, and aids thinking ability.

Testosterone levels peak by early adulthood and drop as you age - about one to two per cent a year beginning in the 40s. As men reach their 50s and beyond, some of them may experience impotence or changes in sexual desire, depression or anxiety, reduced muscle mass, less energy, weight gain, anaemia, and hot flashes. While falling testosterone levels are a normal part of aging, certain conditions can hasten the decline. These include injury or infection; chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer; medications, especially hormones used to treat prostate cancer and corticosteroid drugs; chronic illness; stress; alcoholism and obesity.

Women's sexual health

Women's sexual health, like men's, is important to overall emotional and physical well-being. Many people think sexual activity is motivated by physical desire, and although this may be true for men, research suggests th