Page 29 - Seniorstoday December 2023 Issue
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Erectile dysfunction can also hint at and sensitivity
serious health problems such as heart • mild urinary symptoms that don’t bother
disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and you.
disorders of the nervous system. Staying healthy and regularly seeing your
In this way, the penis reflects vascular GP to check for common conditions (such
health in the rest of the body. So having as high blood pressure) should slow down
erectile dysfunction can predict your risk these age-related changes. Other health
of a future heart attack or stroke. conditions (such as diabetes) accelerate
Lower urinary tract symptoms are also these changes.
often associated with sexual dysfunction, However, it is important to seek medical
and can increase the risk of urinary tract attention if:
infections and chronic kidney disease. • there is a significant change in size
or shape of the penis, or if you develop
What’s normal and when should I see unusual lumps
my GP? • there is pain or discomfort in or around
Normal ageing includes changes to the your penis
penis’ blood vessels, nerves, and associated • erectile dysfunction becomes persistent or
organs, such as the prostate. So, as you age, bothers you
it is normal to have: • urinary symptoms occur suddenly or
• minor changes in the size and shape of the bother you.
penis This article is republished with
• a gradual decrease in erectile function permission from theconversation.com
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #54 | DECEMBER 2023 29
