Cognitive Decline’s Unexpected Early Indicator Found: Decreased Sexual Gratification

A research study at Penn State has unveiled that reduced sexual pleasure and erectile function in middle-aged men could signal impending cognitive decline, potentially revealing a new risk factor. The researchers identified a link between life satisfaction and cognitive performance, hinting that enhancements in sexual gratification could stimulate memory function.

A recent study carried out by a team from Penn State implies that diminished sexual satisfaction in middle-aged individuals might serve as a precursor to future cognitive deterioration. The study investigated the correlation between sexual satisfaction, erectile functionality, and cognitive capacities in several hundred men between the ages of 56 and 68. The findings demonstrated a correlation between declines in sexual pleasure and erectile function and future memory loss.

Published recently in the journal Gerontologist, the study is the first of its kind to longitudinally monitor sexual satisfaction along with sexual health and cognition, according to the researchers. The outcomes hint towards a new risk factor for cognitive decline.

“The distinct aspect of our study was that we evaluated memory and sexual function at every stage in the longitudinal study, allowing us to observe their concurrent evolution over time,” said Martin Sliwinski, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State and one of the study’s co-authors. “What we discovered aligns with emerging scientific understanding of the connection between life satisfaction and cognitive performance.”

The study analyzed the correlation between physical changes, like the microvascular changes relevant to erectile function, and psychological shifts, such as reduced sexual satisfaction, to comprehend how these changes impact cognition. The researchers began examining these shifts from middle age, a stage that marks the onset of declines in erectile function, cognition, and sexual satisfaction.

While the team found a significant correlation between the three health factors, the underlying cause is a matter of speculation, according to Sliwinski.

“Research has shown that if one’s overall satisfaction is low, there is a greater risk for health complications such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and other stress-related issues leading to cognitive decline,” he explained. “We believe that enhancing sexual satisfaction could potentially trigger improvement in memory function. In addition to advising people to exercise more and eat healthier, our research suggests that sexual satisfaction also has significant importance for our overall health and quality of life.”

The researchers based their study on survey data from 818 men who were part of the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. They used neuropsychological tests to study cognitive changes in participants over a 12-year period from ages 56 to 68, adjusting for cognitive abilities in their younger years. Erectile function and sexual satisfaction were evaluated along with cognition using the International Index of Erectile Function, a self-reported measure of male sexual health. A statistical model was then created to understand how the three variables evolved as individuals aged.

Riki Slayday, a doctoral candidate at Penn State and the study’s lead author, said, “Historical research on sexual health has largely focused on quantifiable aspects like the number of sexual partners or the frequency of sexual activity. Our interest, however, was in the perception of this activity—how individuals feel about their sex lives, and how it influences cognitive function as satisfaction levels could greatly vary even in physically identical situations.”

The study discovered that decreases in both erectile function and sexual satisfaction were associated with memory decline, highlighting a connection between psychological and physical health.

“When we charted the relationship over time, it became clear that variations in erectile function and sexual satisfaction were linked to concurrent changes in cognitive function,” Slayday stated. “Even after accounting for demographic and health factors, this association persisted, implying a clear link between our sexual health and cognitive function.”

Earlier studies have identified a link between microvascular changes and alterations in erectile function over time. The active ingredient in Viagra, Sildenafil, was initially developed to address cardiovascular issues, thereby establishing a well-understood connection between vascular health and erectile function, Sliwinski elaborated. He suggested that future research should focus on how erectile function connects to other aspects of health.

He proposed that assessing and monitoring erectile function as a health vital sign might help identify individuals at risk of cognitive decline before they reach their 70s. With the older adult population in the U.S. predicted to double in the next three decades, twice as many individuals will likely experience declines in erectile function and sexual satisfaction upon entering their 60s.

Sliwinski added, “We already have a solution for treating erectile dysfunction. What we lack, however, is an effective treatment for memory loss. Rather than focusing solely on treating ED, we should view it as an early sign of other potential health issues and work towards improving overall well-being and sexual satisfaction, instead of only addressing the symptom.”

The study, “Erectile Function, Sexual Satisfaction, and Cognitive Decline in Men From Midlife to Older Adulthood,” was authored by Riki E Slayday, Tyler R Bell, Michael J Lyons, Teresa S Warren, Rosemary Toomey, Richard Vandiver, Martin J Sliwinski, William S Kremen, and Carol E Franz. The publication date was October 4, 2022, in The Gerontologist. Other collaborators included Tyler Bell, Teresa Warren, William Kremen, and Carol Franz from the University of California San Diego, and Michael Lyons, Rosemary Toomey, and Richard Vandiver from Boston University.

The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health.

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• Penn State University
• The Gerontologist Journal
• Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging
• National Institute on Aging
• International Index of Erectile Function