I am 47 years old and have recently noticed that my erections are not as strong. It takes longer to climax and sexual stimulation does not feel as good as it once did. I take Klonopin for anxiety but previously took Xanax and don’t think this is the issue. I have diabetes (which is extremely well controlled), high blood pressure and high cholesterol for which I take meds, but this has never been an issue. I fear that I’ll soon be experiencing erectile dysfunction and I’m kinda terrified. My sister is a surgeon and says that its a normal body change as I age but that is no comfort.

Responses

  • Michael Castleman says:

    You have four issues: aging, anxiety, anti-anxiety medication, and your other medical issues. I’m sorry to say that they add up to bad news for your erections. But the good news is that even if your erections fade, you can still enjoy marvelous, satisfying, orgasmic sex.

    Aging. Even men who are in perfect health and take no medication notice that after around 50, their erections are no longer what they used to be. Thinking of sex no longer raises erections. And when erections rise, they’re not as firm as they once were, and they often wilt from minor distractions. This would be happening to you even without your medical situation. With it, this is happening a few years before 50—not a big surprise.

    Anxiety. Feeling stressed and anxious triggers a cascade of biochemical reactions, notably release of the stress hormone, cortisol, which, among other things, constricts the arteries, including the ones that carry blood into the penis. Less blood flow into the penis means weaker erections. So anxiety hurts erections.

    Anti-anxiety medications. Klonipin and Xanax are both benzodiazepines, a class of medication that often cause sex problems.

    Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. I’m glad your diabetes is well controlled, but the condition raises risk of ED. Ditto high blood pressure and high cholesterol, not to mention that many high blood pressure meds also raise ED risk.

    You say that previously, Klonipin and your other meds did not cause any erection problems. OK, but you’re getting older. A 25-year-old man can get roaringly drunk and still get it up. Not many 47-year-olds could do the same. Combine aging, itself an erection-deflating process, with your other issues, and … well, you’re in your current situation. You say you’re “kinda terrified.” That feeling means more anxiety, more arterial constriction, more need for Klonopin, and a vicious cycle.

    What to do? You can’t do anything about aging. But you might be able to reduce your medications or possibly even get off some drugs if you seriously commit to lifestyle improvement. Anxiety can often be reduced with exercise, yoga, meditation, and other relaxation regimens. If you don’t incorporate a daily hour or so of stress management into your life, I’d urge you to do so. You might try also tranquilizing herbs: chamomile, hop, lemon balm, passionflower—several cups of strong tea a day. They’re calming without the erection-deflating side effects of the benzodiazepines. You may be able to reduce your Klonopin or get off it. You didn’t mention which type of diabetes you have or if you take insulin. Type 2 diabeters is strongly associated with being over-weight. Weight loss can reverse things and allow you to reduce your diabetes drug dosage or get off the drugs. Now, I hasten to add that even a serious lifestyle-improvement effort is no guarantee that you’ll raise firm wood again. But it should help, not to mention that what I’m suggesting is good for overall health.

    I’m 66. In my 50s, when my erections went iffy, I, too, felt discombobulated—and I’d been a sex educator for decades and knew exactly what to expect. It’s a big adjustment. But one CAN adjust and still enjoy great sex. I suggest you purchase my low-cost e-book, which contains more than 100 articles on all aspects of sexuality, with an emphasis on the issues of older adults like you who must adjust to age-related sexual changes.

    Keep this in mind: You don’t need an erection to make love or to enjoy marvelous orgasms. Feel free to write me back as your erotic future unfolds. Hang in there!

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