Love Hurts: Common Sex Injuries and Other Hazards

 

When Sex Hurts

Sex is supposed to feel good, but a few wrong moves beneath the sheets could leave you in pain. Anything from a rug burn to a penile fracture is possible if you get too rough or move too fast. Take it slow and know your limits to avoid these common sex injuries and other hazards.

Tears to the Vagina or Anus

Rough sex or a foreign object (like a dildo) can tear the sensitive tissue inside the vagina or anus. This can be painful, and you may bleed. If it hurts, your doctor can prescribe a pain-relieving cream. Don't put anything inside your vagina or anus until the area heals. Use a lubricant whenever you have sex to avoid injuries in the future.

A Broken Penis

You can fracture your penis if you bend it too far or hit it hard against your partner's pelvis when you slip out while thrusting. This is different from a broken finger or toe. That’s because your penis has no bones. Instead, the force ruptures one of the two cylinders inside that fill with blood during an erection. Signs of a penile fracture are a popping sound, swelling, and intense pain. Get medical help right away.

Muscle Pull

Any activity where you do the same movement over and over -- like thrusting -- can strain a muscle. Twisting your body too hard can pull muscles in your belly or back. During an orgasm, your thighs naturally tense up, and you may feel sore afterward. Any pain should let up in a day or two. If it doesn't, you might have a real injury that needs your doctor's attention.

Carpet Burn

The friction of rubbing against a rough surface -- say a rug or the floor -- can leave scrapes and burns on your back, buttocks, and legs. Friction burns can be very painful. Fortunately, most aren't serious, and they'll heal on their own in a few days. To avoid one of these, put a blanket down as a buffer if you plan to get busy on the carpet or the floor.

Stuck Foreign Objects

Some couples use sex toys, such as vibrators, dildos, anal beads, or butt plugs, to enhance their pleasure. Others reach for household items, like a cucumber or electric toothbrush. Playing with toys is totally normal. Just be careful that the object you use has a wide enough base that it won't get stuck. If a toy or other object goes in too far, you may have to make a trip to the emergency room to have it removed.

Allergic Reactions

An itchy rash or burning after sex could be from an allergy. Lubricant, spermicides, condoms, and even a partner's cologne can all trigger reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Rarely, people are allergic to semen or to a protein in something their male partner ate, such as nuts, that got into the semen. Symptoms of an allergic reaction usually start about 10 to 30 minutes after the contact. They can last for hours to days.

Heart Attack

This is pretty rare outside of the movies. As long as your heart is healthy, there's no reason to abstain from sex. After all, it counts as aerobic exercise, which is actually good for your heart. As long as you can do other exercises like walking or jogging without a problem, you should be healthy enough for sex. Just check with your doctor first if you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat.

Back Injury

A swift move in just the right (or wrong) direction could throw out your back. Lifting your partner might do the trick as well. Take it slow. Prop your partner against the bed or a countertop rather than going for a full lift. If you already have a bad back and it hurts to bend over, skip spooning -- especially if you are the big spoon. You may be more comfortable having sex doggy-style, where one partner is on all fours and the other is in back.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Bacteria normally live outside the vagina. During sex, a penis, finger, or sex toy can give these germs an easy route up the urethra and into your urinary tract. Signs that you have a UTI include burning when you pee and blood in your urine. To avoid an infection, urinate right after you have sex to flush out any bacteria. Ask your doctor whether cranberry juice or tablets might help you avoid UTIs.

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)

Without proper precautions, you and your partner could pass bacteria, viruses, and other germs to each other. Almost 20 million people in the United States get an STI like herpes, syphilis, or gonorrhea each year. Condoms are the best way to avoid these infections. Having only one sex partner can also lower your risk.

Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome

People with this rare condition develop flu- or allergy-like symptoms after they orgasm. Fever, stuffy nose, sneezing, headache, and itchy eyes can start within seconds, or up to a few hours, after sex. It can last for a few days. Doctors don't know what sets off this reaction, but it's more common in men. If you have this syndrome, allergy medicines or antidepressants may help.

Post-Sex Depression

Sex should be fun and relaxing, but it isn't for everyone. Some people get the "post-sex blues," even if the sex was good and they're in a loving relationship. Doctors call depression or anxiety after sex "postcoital dysphoria." Some people may even become angry and lash out at their partner. If sex is upsetting instead of pleasurable, talk to your doctor or a therapist about it.

Genital Burning

Feeling a burn in your vagina or penis is never normal -- during sex or otherwise. Many problems cause a burning sensation. In women, it can be due to vaginal dryness from low estrogen levels around the time of menopause. An injury, infection, or lack of lubrication can also cause burning or pain in either partner. Burning once in a while is probably no reason to worry. But if it often happens with sex, check with your doctor

Helping Your Kid through CoVid Stress

 

By Leslie Becker-Phelps, PhDPsychologist, March 03, 2021

This year of living under COVID-19 restrictions has affected all of us, including our children. They’ve had to stay inside (along with their stressed parents), cut off from friends, with their routines disrupted. This powerful experience will affect them for years to come. But it does not have to be a wholly negative one. You can use it as an opportunity to help them learn to cope with stress.

During childhood, we learn who we are and how to manage ourselves in the world. Children are greatly affected by how their parents treat them on a daily basis and guide them through difficult times -- even adolescents absorb messages their parents give them (despite their frequent self-absorption and focus on peers). While you may not realize it, your children will carry these lessons into adulthood.

You can help your children grow from their current pandemic experiences by reinforcing these four basic messages:

• You are not the problem. Your child may feel stressed, afraid, and out of sorts during this time. These feelings can be distressing and may leave your child questioning what’s wrong with them. By validating their feelings and letting them know that these are understandable reactions, they will learn that they are OK.

• This time of stress and distress will pass. Despite how it might feel, this pandemic will not last forever. Restrictions will eventually be lifted, they will return to school and seeing friends in person, and life will move on. Letting your child know this (and reminding yourself of it) can help ease their concerns.

• There are things you can do to help yourself. Encourage your child to find ways to enjoy their time at home. They might enjoy crafts, learning something new, or reading. Though they may not be able to meet in person with friends, they can enjoy time together virtually. And if they feel anxious or sad, they can do these same things to help them through those tough times.

• You are not alone. Let them know that everyone needs help sometimes. With that in mind, encourage them to seek support from you or another responsible adult who they trust.

Adults who feel the healthiest and happiest tend to feel positively about themselves, know that they can manage through difficulties, and see important people in their lives as emotionally there for them. By teaching your children to view themselves and others in these ways, you will be preparing them to thrive throughout their lives, even as they face inevitable difficulties.

Exercises that Boost Kids' Moods

 

Try Yoga to Ease Anxiety

Yoga boosts brain chemicals that seem to tame stress. Even tiny kids can do poses. In teens, studies show that yoga is better at easing anxiety and improving mood than regular gym classes. You don't even have to go to a class. There are plenty of free yoga videos on YouTube. It's also available on game systems like the Xbox 360 and Wii.

Boost Self-Confidence Through Team Sports

While any exercise is good for mood, playing on a team may have specific benefits. Studies show that kids on teams have a better self-image and are less likely to be depressed or anxious. Along with the physical activity, the sense of belonging that comes with being on a team may improve mood. When kids have fun being active, they're more likely to want to move and exercise.

To Tame Restlessness, Try Martial Arts

Martial arts teach discipline and control. They may be especially great for high-energy kids. One study of 8-to-10-year-olds with behavior problems found that karate class helped them become more adaptable and better at controlling their behavior. When kids can control behavior, it's easier for them to make healthy choices. For example, they can think before grabbing the chips, and reach for fruit instead.

Why Exercise Helps

Intense exercise causes a "runner's high" -- a flood of natural, feel-good chemicals called endorphins. But the effects fade quickly. Exercise helps mood over the long haul because it’s good for your body and your brain. It makes brain cells healthier, especially in areas of the brain that control your mood. Some experts compare daily exercise to a natural antidepressant.

Bonus: Exercise Is a Natural Energy Booster

When your teens are worn out from studying, suggest a quick walk or a few minutes of jumping jacks or basketball. It’s better than them turning to coffee, soda, or energy drinks for an artificial boost. The sugar in sodas and energy drinks can lead to unhealthy weight gain. And caffeine can make them anxious and irritable. After a 10-minute brain break to get their blood flowing, they'll come back refreshed, energized, and ready to refocus.

Mindful Exercise to Relax

When your kids are stressed out and looking for food to de-stress, suggest they use exercise to relax instead. Exercise doesn’t always have to rev kids up. Tweens or teens can turn exercise into a type of meditation that is relaxing. Instead of distracting themselves by watching TV or listening to music on a treadmill, suggest they focus inward while they run.

Ask them to feel their breathing, the rhythm of their feet hitting the treadmill, and their heartbeat. It takes some getting used to, but this approach may help your kids feel deeply relaxed after exercise. When you’re relaxed, it’s easier to be more mindful about choices you make to be healthy.

Try This: After-School Dance Party

Looking for ways to get kids moving? Make moving fun. Throw a dance party when everyone gets home. Each person gets to choose a few songs and everyone dances like crazy. It may take just 5 minutes of moderate dancing for your kids to work up a sweat. You will, too, and the health benefits are great. Want to keep going? Great. It all adds up to the 60 minutes of physical activity kids need every day.

Create Smiles With Unstructured Play

If your kids aren't into structured play or being on a competitive team, they can still get the benefits of exercise. Just about anything works: kicking a ball in the backyard, jumping rope to some fun music. Remember, it all counts as exercise and is good for their bodies and moods.

Bonus: Exercise = Sound Sleep = Better Moods

Exercise also helps with sleep. Studies show that active kids fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer than kids who don't move around as much. The more vigorous the activity, the faster they fall asleep. Getting enough sleep is so important. When kids get enough rest, they're better able to control their emotions and make healthy food choices. They also have more energy to move all day.

Exercise Makes for Happier, Healthier Kids

When kids move and play, it helps their mood. That helps them make smarter, healthier food choices. Feeling good also motivates kids to move and play more. It’s a great cycle. Over time, exercise may help kids sharpen their thinking and do better in school. It can lower their chances of getting sick. It can improve body image and helps kids maintain a healthy weight.

Bad Habits that Can Hurt Your Brain

 

You Miss Out on Sleep

You do a few things you know you shouldn’t -- we all do. But some of those bad habits can take a toll on your brain. For example, lack of sleep may be a cause of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. It's best to have regular sleeping hours. If you have trouble with sleep, avoid alcohol, caffeine, and electronics in the evening, and start a soothing bedtime ritual.

You Have Too Much Alone Time

Humans are wired for social contact. It’s not about how many Facebook friends you have -- what matters is a real sense of connection. People who have that with even just a few close friends are happier and more productive. They’re also less likely to suffer from brain decline and Alzheimer’s. If you feel alone, call some friends or start something new -- salsa dancing, tennis, bridge -- that involves other people.

You Eat Too Much Junk Food

Parts of the brain linked to learning, memory, and mental health are smaller in people who have lots of hamburgers, fries, potato chips, and soft drinks in their diet. Berries, whole grains, nuts, and green leafy vegetables, on the other hand, preserve brain function and slow mental decline. So next time you start to reach for a bag of chips, grab a handful of nuts instead.

You Blast Your Headphones

With your earbuds at full volume, you can permanently damage your hearing in only 30 minutes. But it’s not just your ears: Hearing loss in older adults is linked to brain problems, such as Alzheimer’s and loss of brain tissue. This may be because your brain has to work so hard to understand what’s being said around you that it can’t store what you’ve heard into memory. So turn it down -- no louder than 60% of your device’s maximum volume -- and try not to listen for more than a couple of hours at a time.

You Don’t Move Enough

The longer you go without regular exercise, the more likely you are to have dementia. You’re also more likely to get diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure -- all of which may be linked to Alzheimer’s. You don’t have to start running marathons -- a half-hour in the garden or a brisk walk around the neighborhood will work. The important thing is to do it at least 3 days a week.

You Still Smoke

It can shrink your brain -- and that’s not a good thing. It makes your memory worse and makes you twice as likely to get dementia, including Alzheimer’s. It also causes heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.

You Overeat

If you eat too much food -- even the right kind of food -- your brain may not be able to build the strong network of connections that help you think and remember. Overeat for too long and you may get dangerously overweight, which can cause heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure -- all linked to brain problems and Alzheimer’s.

You Stay in the Dark Too Much

If you don’t get enough natural light, you may get depressed, and that can slow your brain. Research also shows that sunlight helps keep your brain working well.

Adult Vaccines: Protect Yourself Against Tetanus and More

 

How Vaccines Work

They teach your immune system how to fight germs -- without an actual infection. That's because in most cases, you're given a weaker or inactive version of a virus or bacteria, or an important part of it. When your immune system sees these germs, it learns to fight them and keep you from getting sick later.

Tetanus (Tdap) Vaccine: Three-in-One

The bacteria that cause tetanus enter the body through wounds, cuts, or scrapes. Tetanus can lead to severe muscle spasms, stiffness, and lockjaw. That's when you can't open your mouth or swallow. We get sick because of a toxin or toxins the bacteria make. The Tdap vaccine works as a booster shot against three infections. It not only protects you from tetanus, but from diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough), too. A one-time Tdap vaccine and a Td (tetanus-diphtheria) booster every 10 years are all it takes to keep from getting these diseases. Pregnant women should get a booster between weeks 27 and 36 of each pregnancy.

Stay Ahead of Chickenpox

If you've avoided chickenpox (varicella) so far, don't push your luck. You can still get it by being in a room with someone who has it. Adults with chickenpox have a higher risk of complications, hospitalization, and death. For example, varicella pneumonia may be more severe in pregnant women and is a medical emergency. Untreated, almost half of pregnant women with varicella pneumonia die. Since chickenpox puts you at risk for shingles, chickenpox vaccine may offer some protection against shingles, too. It also reduces risk of infection in the community, especially among those who are susceptible but can't be vaccinated, such as pregnant women. Two doses of the vaccine are administered four to eight weeks apart to people 13 and older.

Shingles Vaccine: Important After 60

The virus that gave you chickenpox as a child can strike again as shingles or "herpes zoster" when you're an adult. Most common after age 60, the painful, blistering shingles rash can damage your eyes and cause long-term pain called postherpetic neuralgia. If you get this rash, you can also infect others with chickenpox. The two-dose Shingrix vaccine is recommended  to prevent shingles for any one 50 or older, as well as in  those 18 or older who are  immunodeficient or immunosuppressed.

HPV Vaccine for Some Men and Women

HPV vaccines protect against some strains of human papillomavirus that cause most cervical cancers in women and some throat cancers in men. One of the available HPV vaccines also protects against most genital warts in men and women. HPV is spread by sexual contact. The vaccine can be given to children as early as age 9, but young adults, especially those who have not had sexual activity, can receive the vaccine, too. It's available for men and women through age 26.

Protect Against Meningitis

Young adults who live in military barracks or college dorms, travelers to certain areas, and some people with weakened immune systems are among those who should be vaccinated against meningococcal disease, a leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Each year in the United States, about 1 in 10 people who get meningococcal disease die. Many others suffer brain damage or hearing loss. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Don't Flirt With Hepatitis

You can get one of the hepatitis viruses without knowing it. Risk factors for hepatitis A transmission include consuming contaminated food or water or men having sex with other men. An infected person can also spread it by not washing their hands after going to the bathroom. Hepatitis B can spread by contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person, such as during unprotected sex or use of others' personal items, such as razors. Sharing needles with an infected person when injecting drugs can also spread hep B. Hepatitis, especially hepatitis B, can lead to serious liver damage and even death. Ask your doctor if you should get a hepatitis A or B vaccine.

Vaccines for Foreign Travel

Travel vaccines aren't just a good idea. Some are required to enter certain countries. Keep current on your routine vaccinations. The CDC also recommends or requires other vaccinations depending on your destination. Plan on getting them 4 to 6 weeks before you leave. See the doctor even if your trip is closer than 4 weeks away. You may still benefit from vaccines or medication. Your doctor can tell you which vaccines can help you stay healthy.

Get a Flu Shot While You Shop

The CDC and flu experts recommend that just about everyone get a flu vaccination every year. Why? Each year's vaccine is based on the three strains of influenza virus that are expected to be widespread that season. Short on time? No problem. Flu shots are available at supermarkets, pharmacies, schools, and churches, as well as doctors' offices. And you can get one anytime during flu season. How easy is that?

COVID-19 Vaccines: What to Expect

Depending on the vaccine, you'll get one or two shots.  As more people get vaccinated and become immune, COVID-19 won't spread as easily.

How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

Available COVID-19 vaccines work in different ways. Vaccines that use mRNA give your cells the genetic instructions to make an important part of the virus. This triggers an immune response that protects you from infection. Protein subunit vaccines work by giving you proteins from the virus so your immune system learns to attack them. Vector vaccines put the genetic instructions to make part of the virus that causes COVID-19 into a different virus. This second virus delivers those instructions to your cells, which make a viral protein and trigger an immune response

Pneumococcal Disease: Protect Yourself

An adult pneumonia vaccine protects against almost all pneumococcal bacteria that can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis. Pneumococcal pneumonia can be severe and deadly, killing about 50,000 adults every year. It can also cause bacterial meningitis.

The are two kinds of these vaccines in the U.S. The CDC recommends PCV13 (pneumococcal conjugate) for children  under 2 and those with certain medical conditions. PPSV23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide) is suggested for adults 65 and older, those with certain conditions, and adults ages 19 to 64 who smoke.

Measles/Mumps/Rubella: 3 Vaccines in 1

The "Big 3" childhood diseases -- measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) -- can hit harder when you're an adult. One MMR vaccine protects against all three.   Most American adults have either had the measles or been vaccinated against it. If you haven't, you're still at risk for this highly infectious virus. Even worse, you may be at risk of serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.

Mumps and Its Complications

Mumps vaccine is included in MMR.   Mumps is contagious and is marked by swollen salivary glands. In adults, mumps can often have complications like meningitis and painful swelling of the testicles and ovaries. Anyone born after 1956 should get the MMR vaccine, unless you have evidence of prior infection of MMR diseases or medical reasons not to be vaccinated.

Don't Risk Rubella

Rubella vaccine is also part of MMR. Spread through the air, rubella is especially serious for pregnant women. It can cause miscarriage, premature delivery, and congenital rubella syndrome -- a group of severe birth defects. Most women of childbearing age should already be vaccinated for MMR. If you are not vaccinated but are thinking about getting pregnant, wait until 4 weeks after vaccination before getting pregnant. If you're already pregnant and not vaccinated against rubella, get the vaccine after you have given birth.

12 Things Your Body Needs as You Age

 

Calcium

With age, you can start to lose more of this mineral than you absorb. That can make your bones break more easily (osteoporosis), especially for women after menopause. Calcium helps your muscles, nerves, cells, and blood vessels work right. You get most of it from your bones, which get it from food. Women over 50 and men over 70 should get about 20% more than other adults. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are good sources.

Vitamin B12

It helps make blood and nerve cells. You get it naturally from animal foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Pills, shots, and “B12-fortified” foods, like breakfast cereal, are other sources. Most Americans eat enough, but age can change that. Up to 30% of people over 50 have atrophic gastritis, which makes it harder for your body to absorb it from foods. Antacids, some meds, and weight loss surgery can contribute to a lack of B12.

Vitamin D

Your body needs it to absorb calcium. So take them in tandem to help prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin D also helps your muscles, nerves, and immune system work right. Most people get some vitamin D from sunlight. But your body is less able to convert sun’s rays to vitamin D as you age. It’s harder to get this vitamin from foods, but fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are a good source.

Vitamin B6

Your body uses it to fight germs and to make energy. It also helps babies’ brains grow. You need more B6 as you get older. Some studies have found links between high B6 blood levels in seniors and better memory. But the vitamin doesn’t seem to improve mental abilities in people with dementia. Chickpeas are an easy and inexpensive source. So are liver, fatty fish and fortified breakfast cereals.

Magnesium

It helps your body make protein and bone, and it keeps your blood sugar stable. You can get it from nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. But older people tend to eat less of it. Plus, they're more likely to have long-term health conditions or take many medications, both of which may leave you short of magnesium.

Probiotics

These “friendly” bacteria are good for your gut. You get them from fermented foods like yogurt or sauerkraut, or from supplements. They can help with digestive issues like diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome, and may even protect against allergies. Probiotics are likely safe if you’re healthy. But talk to your doctor first if you have any medical issues or a weakened immune system.

Omega-3s

These fatty acids are called “essential” because your body can’t make them. They’re important for your eyes, brain, and sperm cells. They also could help protect against age-related disease like Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and macular degeneration, which can cause blindness. Unless your doctor says otherwise, it’s best to get your omega-3s from food like fatty fish, walnuts, canola oil, or flaxseed.

Zinc

Many American seniors don’t get enough of this underappreciated micronutrient. It helps your sense of smell and taste, and fights infections and inflammation -- all important jobs in older bodies. Zinc also may protect your vision. Oysters are far and away the best source of this mineral. Otherwise, you can get it from beef, crab, and fortified breakfast cereals.

Selenium

It protects your cells from damage and infection, and keeps your thyroid working the right way. Selenium also can keep your muscles strong, and may help prevent age-linked illnesses like dementia, some types of cancer, and thyroid disease. Just one or two Brazil nuts a day should be enough. Don’t overdo it. Too much selenium can make your hair fall out and turn your nails brittle.

Potassium

Potassium plays a part in almost everything inside your body, including your heart, kidneys, muscles, and nerves. It also may help protect against stroke, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. Many Americans don’t get enough. Dried apricots, bananas, spinach, milk, and yogurt are good sources. Ask your doctor before you take supplements. They can interfere with medications for high blood pressure, migraine, and other conditions.

Folate

This natural form of vitamin B9 is in leafy greens, nuts, beans, and other foods. Pregnant women take a lab-made form of vitamin B9 called folic acid to help prevent birth defects. Folate helps with cell growth and may protect against stroke and certain cancers. Most Americans get enough. Folate found in foods is safe. But too much folic acid from supplements or fortified foods can raise your odds of having colon cancer or nerve damage.

Fiber

You probably know fiber is good for you. But did you know it’s even more important as you age? Fiber helps protect against strokes, helps you poop more regularly, and lowers your cholesterol and blood sugar -- big benefits in older bodies. Women over 50 should get at least 21 grams a day, while men need 30 grams, but most people don’t get that much. That’s equal to about 6-8 servings of whole grains, or 8-10 servings of vegetables.

Where to Get Them

Whether it’s vitamins, minerals, or fiber, it’s best to get them from foods instead of pills. But that can be a challenge for some older Americans, especially if you don’t eat a balanced diet. You’re most likely to lack vitamin D, potassium, calcium, or dietary fiber. If you think you need more than you can get from food, talk to your doctor about supplements that will be safe with your meds, diet, and health.

Multivitamins

There’s little, if any, proof that multivitamins benefit seniors who are otherwise healthy. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against daily multivitamins to ward off cancer or heart disease. Multivitamins marketed at seniors may be tailored with higher doses of vitamins D or B12 or less iron. But unless you have a poor appetite or have conditions that keep you from eating a healthy diet, you probably don’t need them.

12 Things to Stop Worrying about at Bedtime

 

Women don’t like chest hair on a man.

Every woman is different, of course, and many male models and actors bare hairless chests. But some women actually prefer a manly chest of hair.

Women in one study rated men with chest hair as having more sex appeal.

The size of a man's penis means a lot to most women.

In one survey, only 1% of women said penis length is "very important." Only 20% even rated it "important." More than half said it didn't matter at all.

Width didn't matter to them, either. The same survey found that only about a third of women called penis girth "important."

What’s the average length of an erect adult penis?

That's almost double its soft average length of about 3.5 inches.

Women's sexual satisfaction depends upon their  partner's ability to bring them to orgasm.

Studies show that many women do not mention orgasm when asked about their most satisfying sexual experiences. Instead, they talk about feeling loved, passionate, happy, aroused, erotic, and connected to their partner.

Most couples enjoy sex less when the man wears a condom.

In a major survey, people said having sex while using condoms was just as positive as having sex without condoms. Condoms also didn't affect whether they had an orgasm.

How many married men 50 to 59 say they haven’t had sex in the past year?

That percentage rises to 34% of married men in their 60s, and 54% of those in their 70s.

How long do men typically take to reach orgasm?

That was the average in a study of 500 couples from the U.S. and four other countries.

Which of the following may help a man who has premature ejaculation?

Doctors sometimes also prescribe the "pause and squeeze" tactic. To do this, men either pull out or stop touching their penis when they are about to ejaculate. They then squeeze the tip of their penis.

Wearing a condom also can increase the time it takes to ejaculate. And some sex therapists recommend having sex more often as a way of making a man's body more in the habit of sexual pleasure, which may help.

Most men have some erection trouble at some point.

When you add all kinds of cases, mild to severe, many men have erection issues at some point. In one study, that happened to 52% of guys sooner or later. Most cases were not severe.

Erection problems are often linked to age. For example, they're more common at 70 than at 30. But erection problems are not a routine part of aging and are less likely in men who don't have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, and who manage stress and emotions well.

Not reaching or keeping an erection may need treatment if it happens:

Occasional misses happen. Things like being very tired or drinking too much can make that happen. But if men have persistent erection problems over three months, they should check in with their doctor.

Men with erection problems should avoid drinking.

Studies have not linked moderate drinking and erectile dysfunction. Drinking too much, whether it's just one night or part of a long-term pattern, can slow or spoil an erection.

Older guys tend to have more trouble with alcohol's effects on their erections. Men taking medication for ED should get a doctor's advice about drinking.

As men age, they may need more stimulation to reach orgasm.

Reasons for this can include lower levels of testosterone, side effects from some drugs, and health problems. However, there is no age limit on having a satisfying sex life.