Men over the age of 50 still have a lot of life to look forward to, and obviously the quality of their later years will be very much affected by their state of health. Unfortunately, getting older does mean that the risk of developing certain conditions increases. 

It’s not inevitable that advancing age will lead to more health problems, but it’s strongly advised to take preventative action through a healthy lifestyle. This means taking regular exercise, cutting down on junk food and booze, and avoiding smoking. 

Any signs or symptoms that suggest something is not quite right should be acted on as soon as they appear, rather than pushed to one side. Here are some of the most common health issues that affect men over the age of 50, and the warning signals to watch out for. 

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is experienced by about half of all men over the age of 50. This means a persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for a satisfactory sexual experience. This can lead to a worse quality of life and cause problems in relationships, although ED is not considered to be a medically serious condition.

However, ED can be an early warning sign that there are other problems going on, so it’s strongly recommended to see a doctor so that other health problems can be ruled out. There are effective and safe treatments available for ED, including Eroxon Stimgel, a new medication that can be applied externally and has very few side effects.

Prostate problems

The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut that is located in the male pubic region. It tends to increase in size as men get older, and about a third of all men over the age of 50 have prostate enlargement. This can put pressure on the urethra, which can create problems with passing urine.

The prostate can sometimes become inflamed, which can lead to redness, swelling, and discomfort. Prostate cancer is also more of a risk for men over the age of 50. However, it usually develops slowly, and in many cases, it can be successfully treated.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar in the body is too high. In 2022, 55.7% of those with type 2 diabetes were male, compared with 44.3% of men. It’s more common in older people. Other risk factors include being overweight or obese, family history, and ethnicity. 

Recent research has shown that divorced men are the group most at risk of having serious complications from diabetes, including limb amputations. It is suggested that men who live alone are more likely to be socially isolated, eat poorly, and take less exercise than other groups.