The take-home message is that MILFs are fertile ground for young players, particularly guys who project the image of good family men. (New York Post, May 2, 2008).

Caffeine might help you get it up!

Most men have trouble with erectile dysfunction (ED) some time in their lives. The risk of ED is much greater in men with diabetes or coronary artery disease and is linked to cell inflammation. Enzymes called phosphodiesterases (PDE) promote cell inflammation, suppress cyclic GMP (important for tissue blood flow) and trigger erection problems in diabetics. Physicians sometimes use PDE inhibitors such as Viagra to treat ED in diabetes. Caffeine also inhibits PDE and might serve as a poor man’s Viagra or help you get it up when the blue pills are in short supply. Chinese researchers found that administering caffeine to diabetic rats inhibited PDE, increased cyclic GMP and improved erection quality. It is not known whether caffeine can promote erections in human diabetics or metabolically normal men. Give it a try and see if it works for you. (Journal Andrology, in press; published online April 17, 2008).

New hopepremature ejaculators

Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most significant sexual problem in men. It is most prevalent in men aged 18 to 40. Factors increasing the risk of PE include past history of sexually transmitted diseases or urinary tract infections, poor health, emotional stress, loss of income, past history of same sex activity, history of sexual harassment and childhood abuse. Factors decreasing the risk include daily alcohol consumption, circumcision and greater sexual experience. Men with strict religious backgrounds who view sex as a sin or lack attraction for their partner also have an increased risk of PE. According to researchers from the New Jersey Medical School in Newark, help may be on the way. Physicians have successfully treated PE with anti-depressant medicines such as Prozac. Unfortunately, these drugs can also cause impotence in some men and increase the risk of suicide. Administering Viagra with the antidepressant Paxil not only improves erections, but prevented premature ejaculation. Viagra works by increasing the secretion of a chemical called nitric oxide, which increases blood flow to the penis. High levels of nitric oxide interfere with ejaculation, which prolongs the sex act. Also, the Viagra produces a firmer erection, which given men more confidence and control. The pain-relieving drug tramadol also shows promise in treating PE. (Journal Sexual Medicine, 5: 1037-1050, 2008)

Erectile dysfunction is a warning sign for serious health problems

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects as many as 50 percent of men over 40 years of age. ED is frustrating and depressing, but it is only the tip of the iceberg for serious health problems. A study of nearly 30,000 men by researchers from the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. New York found that ED was an important predictor of serious health problems such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats and angina (chest pain). They developed a health risk calculator that considered health status, waist size, the severity of the ED and having or not having a sexual partner. The calculator could predict serious disease 86 percent of the time. Men with ED increased the risk of high blood pressure by 47 percent, cardiovascular disease and stroke by 80 percent and peripheral blood vessel disease by 85 percent. Diabetes increased the risk of ED by 176 percent. The risk increased by 321 percent if the men also had high blood pressure and abnormal blood fats. ED is an important indicator of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. See your doctor if you have problems getting an erection; you might also have other serious health issues. (Journal Sexual Medicine, 5: 1237-1243, 2008)

The injury is a medical emergency that can lead to abscess, permanent curvature of the penis, pain during erection and sex, erectile dysfunction and hardening of the penile arteries. Tunisian researchers concluded that surgery is the preferred method of treatment for serious penile ruptures because it results in fewer complications than conservative management (i.e. cold compresses, pressure wraps, splinting and anti-inflammatory medications). They found that fractured penises were more serious when they included injuries to the urethra the tube leading from the bladder to the outside. See your doctor immediately if you have a serious injury to the penis. (International Journal Research, 20: 111-114, 2008)

Poor thyroid function causes sex problems

The thyroid is a vitally important hormone – secreting gland located in the neck just below the Adam’s apple. It is an important regulator of energy metabolism, protein synthesis and other hormones. Thyroid hormones promote fat burning, so it is not surprising that thyroid supplements are very popular with bodybuilders. British researchers found that men with either overactive or under active thyroid glands showed impaired sexual health- most commonly mild erectile dysfunction (ED). ED was more prevalent in men with depressed thyroid function compared to over active thyroid function. Improving thyroid function also improves sexual function in every case. Bodybuilders should not self-medicate with thyroid hormone because it could cause erection problems. (Journal Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism, 93:1815-1819, 2008)

Testosterone spray no better than placebo for increasing sexual arousal in women

Reduced sexual arousal affects more than 50 percent of women ages 25-50, but physicians have few options for treating the problem. Testosterone supplements increases sexual arousal in postmenopausal women. Australian researchers, spray was no more effective than plain water (placebo) for boosting sex drive in younger adult women. They examined 261 women aged 35-46 who had low blood levels of testosterone and complained of reduced sexual arousal. The women applied daily doses of testosterone or placebo to the skin for 16 weeks. Both groups reported improvements in sexual satisfaction, but there were no differences between groups. Many women use testosterone creams and gels to boost sexual satisfaction. However, these treatments are often accompanied by side effects such as increased facial hair, deepening of the voice, and clitoral enlargement. The results of the study showed that women suffering from poor sexual arousal might be better helped with psychological counseling rather than testosterone supplements. (Annals Internal Medicine, 148: 569-577, 2008)

Masturbation prevents prostate cancer

Every bodybuilder knows that you must use it or lose it. It appears that this advice applies to the prostate gland as well. Researchers from the cancer council of Victoria in Australia found that men who masturbated five times a week or more decreased their risk of prostate cancer by 33 percent. They compared the sexual habits of 1,000 men with prostate cancer against 1,250 healthy men who did not have the disease. The researchers speculated that frequents masturbation flushes out cancer-causing toxins that promote the disease. Frequent sexual intercourse did not have the same effect on the disease, possibly because of the increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases that promote the risk of prostate cancer. Also, prostate cancer was not linked to the number of sexual partners or the average number of ejaculations in 24 hours. As woody Allen said, “don’t knock masturbation; it’s sex with someone I love.” (British Journal Urology International, 92: 211-216, 2008)

Are you a sexual Olympian?

Most men think of themselves as gold medal winners in the sexual Olympics, but are you a sprinter or a distance athlete? Perceptions about sexual staying power vary greatly and are the subject of urban legend. What do the experts tell us? Researchers from Behrend College in Erie, Pennsylvania found out by surveying Canadian and American members of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research. They asked the experts their perception on the ideal length of time the penis should be in the vagina during intercourse before ejaculation. They rated sex lasting 3 to 7 minutes as “adequate;” 7 to 13 minutes as “desirable;” and 1 to 2 minutes as “too short;” and 10-30 minutes as “too long.” The results were consistent among therapists and were not affected by geographical location or personal sexual experience. You are a sexual Olympian if you can sustain sexual intercourse for 3-13 minutes. The most important thing in the sexual Olympics is not winning, but taking part. (Journal Sexual Medicine, in press; published online April 2008)

Ten reasons for having sex
Every evening, David Letterman gives us his “list of top 10 reasons.” Here is a list of reasons why sex is good for you from Web MD;

1. Sex reduces stress. Regular sex lowers blood pressure and has a calming effect.
2. Sex enhances the immune system. Regular sex reduces the incidence of colds and flu.
3. Sex burns calories and helps cut fat. Of course, you burn more calories if you are a sexual gymnast than if you have rigor mortis sex.
4. Sex boosts cardiovascular health. Men who have sex at least twice a week have 50 percent fewer heart attacks.
5. Sex makes you feel better about yourself. Getting it on makes you feel like King Kong.
6. Sex increases intimacy. Sex takes the concept of “up close and personal” to a new level.
7. Sex decrease pain. Endorphins released during sex reduce pain associated with headache, arthritis and intense training.
8. Sex reduces the risk of prostate cancer. While masturbation is more effective than intercourse, any king of sex helps keep the prostate gland healthy and viable.
9. Sex strengthens the pelvic floor muscles. This improves urinary tract control and can even prevent back pain.
10. Sex helps you sleep better. Most guys like to fall asleep after sex if they can get away with it.