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 ==========================================================================
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

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Penn_State. Original written by
Adrienne Berard. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== 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 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530125414.htm

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