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Low sexual satisfaction in middle age may serve as an early warning sign of 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 ages 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 journal Gerontologist, is the first to track sexual satisfaction longitudinally in conjunction with sexual health and cognition, the researchers say, and the findings point to a potential new 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, a professor of human development. and family studies at Penn State and co-author of the study. “What we found aligns with what scientists are beginning to understand about the link between life satisfaction and cognitive performance.”
The study examined the relationship between physical changes, such as the microvascular changes relevant to erectile function, and psychological changes, such as lower sexual satisfaction, to determine how the changes are related to cognition. They examined the shifts that begin in middle age because it represents a transitional period where declines in erectile function, cognition and sexual satisfaction begin to emerge.
Sliwinski added that while the team found a strong correlation between the three health factors, they can only speculate about the cause.
“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,” he said. “Improvements in sexual satisfaction can even lead to improved memory function. 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.”
For the study, the researchers used survey data from 818 men who participated in the Vietnam-era Twin Study of Aging. Using neuropsychological tests, such as tests of memory and processing speed, they examined participants’ cognitive changes over the 12-year period from ages 56 to 68, matching the 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 of men’s sexual health. The researchers then built a statistical model to understand how the three variables changed as individuals aged.
“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 Riki Slayday, a PhD student at Penn State and the study’s lead author. “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.”
The study found that declines in erectile function and sexual satisfaction were both associated with memory loss, suggesting a link between psychological and physical health, the researchers said.
“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.”
Previous studies have found an association between microvascular changes and changes in erectile function over time. In fact, the active ingredient in Viagra (Sildenafil) was originally developed to treat cardiovascular issues, Sliwinski explained, so the link between vascular health and erectile function is well understood. How erectile function relates to other aspects of health should be a focus for future research, he added.
Increasing the assessment and monitoring of erectile function as a vital sign of health could help identify those who are at risk of cognitive decline before age 70, he said. The researchers note that the older adult population in the US is expected to double over the next 30 years, meaning that twice as many people are likely to reach 60 and experience a decline in erectile function and sexual satisfaction.
“We already have a pill for the treatment of 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 of other health issues and also focus on improving sexual satisfaction and general well-being, not just treating the symptom. ”
Other co-authors on the paper include Tyler Bell, Teresa Warren, William Kremen and Carol Franz of the University of California at San Diego; and Michael Lyons, Rosemary Toomey and Richard Vandiver of Boston University.
More information:
Riki E Slayday et al, Erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and cognitive decline in middle-aged to older adult men, The gerontologist (2022). DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac151
Quote: Low sexual satisfaction linked to memory loss later in life, study finds (2023, May 30) Retrieved June 12, 2023 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-05-sexual-satisfaction-linked-memory-decline.html
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