Part Four: The Dangers of Excessive Sexual Activity, Prevention of Premature Aging, and the Effects of Drugs on Sexual Function

◇A Guide to Caring for Your Husband's Health as a Good Wife◇

Previous articleBAO JIAN ZHI SHI

Health knowledge

Why does excessive sexual activity weaken a man's immune system?

Why does excessive sexual activity weaken a man's immune system? It is generally believed that it may be due to excessive physical fatigue caused by frequent sexual activity. However, according to current data, the main reason is that the frequent sexual activity leads to excessive consumption of semen.

Semen is a mixture of sperm and seminal plasma. Besides water, fructose, protein, and fat, it also contains various enzymes and inorganic salts. In recent years, domestic experts have shown that semen is rich in zinc. Measurements indicate that each milliliter of semen contains 150 micrograms of zinc, a level unmatched by any other bodily tissue. If we calculate based on the loss of 2-6 milliliters of semen per sexual encounter, a single sexual act results in a loss of 300-900 micrograms of zinc. A 60-kilogram man typically has only about 1.5 grams of zinc in his body. Excessive sexual activity can lead to zinc deficiency, and zinc is closely related to human health. Numerous studies have shown that zinc is involved in the synthesis and activity of many enzymes, is essential for nucleic acid metabolism, protein synthesis, and cell division, and plays a vital role in tissue respiration, biochemical processes, and central nervous system transmission. Besides participating in the synthesis of many important substances, zinc also plays a crucial role in the body's immune defense response. Zinc has a significant immunomodulatory effect, preventing the decline in T cell function and proliferation during aging, increasing T cell membrane stability, and promoting the active proliferation of B cells. Zinc deficiency leads to reduced spleen and thymus weight, thymus atrophy, decreased peripheral blood lymphocyte count, and lower immunoglobulin levels, naturally reducing the body's disease resistance and thus triggering illness.

Furthermore, semen contains an antibacterial substance comparable to penicillin-seminal plasma. Experts point out that seminal plasma is a protein with unique functions; once inside cells, it can inhibit the synthesis of ribonucleic acid, thereby killing bacteria. Laboratory cultures have shown that seminal plasma can kill various pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Undoubtedly, excessive semen consumption will affect the content of seminal plasma, making bacteria and viruses more vulnerable and leading to certain diseases.

How can men prevent premature sexual failure?

As men age, their sexual function also declines, and their sexual response cycle changes. This includes a decrease in the frequency of erections, less frequent intercourse, slower orgasm and ejaculation, lower semen volume, and a prolonged refractory period. Preventing premature aging or loss of sexual function is a major concern for most men. The strength of a man's sexual function is closely related to his overall health.

To prevent premature sexual aging, one should start in adulthood, maintaining a regular sex life, avoiding excessive sexual activity, and minimizing interference from family and social factors. Avoid doing things beyond your capabilities, refrain from excessive sexual activity, and take extra care of the function of your sexual organs. Master and apply certain principles of sexual intercourse, and pay attention to a nutritious diet. In addition to adhering to the principles of sexual activity, another important point in preventing premature sexual aging is to seek treatment for any existing medical conditions as early as possible.

Drugs that cause sexual dysfunction

Medical research has found that many drugs, while having a therapeutic effect, can also have varying degrees of impact on the sexual function of users.

Hormonal drugs such as methyltestosterone and testosterone propionate, when used in high doses over a long period, can cause testicular atrophy and reduced sperm production in men. Long-term use of estrogens such as estradiol, ethinylestradiol, and chlormadinone can lead to decreased or absent libido, difficulty ejaculating, or impotence in men.

Sedatives such as phenobarbital, amidophos, and sevomethasone, when taken in high doses over a long period, can interfere with the brain's ability to distinguish between sexes and inhibit the release of pituitary gonadotropins, leading to erectile dysfunction. Long-term use of sleeping pills such as diazepam, nitrazepam, and chlordiazepoxide can also cause decreased libido or erectile dysfunction in men.

Diuretics such as spironolactone, hydrochlorothiazide, and furosemide, when taken long-term, can increase the clearance rate of the male hormone testosterone in the liver, thereby reducing the concentration of testosterone in the blood and causing erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, and impotence in men.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as phenylbutazone and phenacetin, when taken long-term, can cause prostaglandin-related conditions such as testicular atrophy, inhibition of sperm formation, and male infertility.

Antipsychotic drugs such as chlorpromazine, used alone or in combination with other drugs in long-term, high-dose use, can cause decreased libido, difficulty ejaculating, and testicular atrophy in men. Haloperidol, when taken in small doses, can increase testosterone levels, while large doses can inhibit testosterone production, leading to gynecomastia, galactorrhea, and impotence in men. Perphenazine, trifluoperazine, and imipramine can also cause difficulties ejaculating and decreased libido.

Cimetidine, a drug used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, may cause impotence if taken for a long time due to gonadal dysfunction.

The antihypertensive drug reserpine, when taken long-term, can reduce the excitability of the sympathetic nervous system and cause erectile dysfunction. Long-term use of drugs such as methyldopa, guanethidine, and clonidine can cause decreased libido, difficulty ejaculating, or erectile dysfunction in men.

Gastrointestinal antispasmodics such as atropine, scopolamine, anisodamine (654-2), and propantheline can inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system and affect the tension of vascular smooth muscle when taken for a long time, preventing the penis from reflexively engorging and erecting, thus leading to impotence.

Cardiovascular drugs such as the cardiotonic drugs digitalis and digoxin, and the antiarrhythmic drug propranolol, may also cause male sexual dysfunction or impotence with long-term use.

Therefore, if men experience symptoms such as decreased sexual function while taking the above-mentioned medications, they should discontinue use immediately or switch to other medications. Generally, sexual dysfunction caused by medication usually recovers gradually within 3 to 6 months after discontinuing the medication.