MSGID: 1:317/3 6476cd7b   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Low sexual satisfaction linked to memory decline later in life    
      
     Date:   
         May 30, 2023   
     Source:   
         Penn State   
     Summary:   
         Low sexual satisfaction in middle age may serve as an early warning   
         sign for future cognitive decline, according to a new study. The   
         study, which tracked associations between erectile function, sexual   
         satisfaction and cognition in hundreds of men aged 56 through 68,   
         found that declines in sexual satisfaction and erectile function   
         were correlated with future memory loss.   
      
      
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   FULL STORY   
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   Low sexual satisfaction in middle age may serve as an early warning sign   
   for future cognitive decline, according to a new study led by Penn State   
   researchers. The study, which tracked associations between erectile   
   function, sexual satisfaction and cognition in hundreds of men aged   
   56 through 68, found that declines in sexual satisfaction and erectile   
   function were correlated with future memory loss.   
      
   The study, published in the latest issue of the journalGerontologist,   
   is the first to longitudinally track sexual satisfaction in tandem with   
   sexual health and cognition, the researchers state, and its findings   
   point to a potential novel risk factor for cognitive decline.   
      
   "What was unique about our approach is that we measured memory function   
   and sexual function at each point in the longitudinal study, so we could   
   look at how they changed together over time," said Martin Sliwinski,   
   professor of human development and family studies at Penn State and   
   co-author on the study. "What we found connects to what scientists are   
   beginning to understand about the link between life satisfaction and   
   cognitive performance."  The study explored the relationship between   
   physical changes like the microvascular changes relevant for erectile   
   function, and psychological changes, such as lower sexual satisfaction,   
   to determine how the changes relate to cognition. They 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.   
      
   Sliwinski added that while the team discovered a strong correlation   
   between the three health factors, they can only speculate as to the cause.   
      
   "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," he said. "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."  For the study, the researchers used survey data from 818   
   men who participated in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Through   
   neuropsychological tests, such as tests of memory and processing speed,   
   they examined cognitive changes of participants over the 12-year span   
   from age 56 to 68, adjusting for participants' cognitive ability 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.   
      
   "Research on sexual health has historically focused on quantifiable   
   facets of sexuality like number of sexual partners or frequency of sexual   
   activity," said Riki Slayday, a doctoral candidate at Penn State and   
   lead author on the study.   
      
   "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 found that decreases in erectile function and   
   sexual satisfaction were both associated with memory decline, which   
   the researchers say points to a connection between psychological and   
   physical health.   
      
   "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," Slayday   
   said. "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 changes in erectile function over time. In fact,   
   the active ingredient in Viagra (Sildenafil) was originally developed to   
   treat cardiovascular problems, Sliwinski explained, so the connection   
   between vascular health and erectile function is well understood. How   
   erectile function connects to other aspects of health should be an area   
   of focus for future research, he added.   
      
   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, he said. The researchers note that the older adult   
   population in the U.S.   
      
   is expected to double over the next 30 years, which means twice as many   
   people will likely enter their 60s and experience declines in erectile   
   function and sexual satisfaction.   
      
   "We already have a pill for treating erectile dysfunction. What   
   we don't have is an effective treatment for memory loss," Sliwinski   
   said. "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."  Other co-authors on the paper are Tyler Bell, Teresa   
   Warren, William Kremen and Carol Franz of the University of California   
   San Diego; and Michael Lyons, Rosemary Toomey and Richard Vandiver of   
   Boston University.   
      
   The work was supported the National Institute on Aging at the National   
   Institutes of Health.   
      
       * RELATED_TOPICS   
             o Health_&_Medicine   
                   # Erectile_Dysfunction # Sexual_Health #   
                   Diseases_and_Conditions # Patient_Education_and_Counseling   
             o Mind_&_Brain   
                   # Disorders_and_Syndromes # Dementia # Intelligence #   
                   Relationships   
       * RELATED_TERMS   
             o Erectile_dysfunction o Sexual_dysfunction o Homosexuality   
             o Memory-prediction_framework o Platonic_love o Sex_education   
             o Bisexuality o Memory   
      
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   Story Source: Materials provided by Penn_State. Original written by   
   Adrienne Berard. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
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   Journal Reference:   
      1. Riki E Slayday, Tyler R Bell, Michael J Lyons, Teresa S Warren , BA,   
         Rosemary Toomey, Richard Vandiver, Martin J Sliwinski, William   
         S Kremen, Carol E Franz. Erectile Function, Sexual Satisfaction,   
         and Cognitive Decline in Men From Midlife to Older Adulthood. The   
         Gerontologist, 2023; 63 (2): 382 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac151   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530125414.htm   
      
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