Dr Babak Ashrafi, a GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, has outlined seven subtle health signs that indicate the body is officially ageing. These range from disrupted sleep patterns and declining libido to rising blood pressure and longer recovery times after exercise.
Sleep and Hormonal Changes
According to Dr Ashrafi, sleep changes can be one of the less obvious signs of ageing, including waking up more often, waking up earlier than usual, and struggling to fall asleep. 'Our sleep can naturally change as we age, and we may spend less time in deeper stages of sleep,' he said. This is partly due to the body producing fewer sleep-promoting hormones such as melatonin and cortisol over time, along with biological shifts in the internal body clock, known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
However, Dr Ashrafi stressed that 'regularly struggling to fall or stay asleep shouldn't automatically be dismissed as “just getting older”,' and advised seeking medical advice if sleep issues persist.
Libido and Erectile Changes
Libido often declines over time, with hormones playing a major role. In men, 'testosterone levels tend to decline gradually,' while for women, oestrogen and testosterone levels drop sharply during perimenopause and menopause. Other factors can include stress, sleep, medication, and health conditions. 'If you've noticed a significant change in your libido, particularly alongside symptoms such as fatigue or erectile difficulties, it's worth discussing this with a professional rather than assuming age is the only explanation,' he added.
Erectile difficulties can become more common with age, but they shouldn't necessarily be accepted as inevitable. 'Occasional difficulty getting or maintaining an erection is common, but if it happens regularly it's worth seeking medical advice,' Dr Ashrafi explained. 'Erectile dysfunction can have psychological causes, but it can also be associated with physical health issues, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In some cases, it can be an early prompt to look more closely at your wider cardiovascular health.'
Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Weight
Blood pressure can increase with age without noticeable symptoms. 'Blood vessels naturally become less flexible as we age, which is one reason our risk of high blood pressure can increase,' he said. 'The difficulty is that you often won't know your blood pressure is high unless you check it. Knowing your numbers and having them checked regularly is an important part of looking after your long-term cardiovascular health.' A healthy adult should aim for less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.
Cholesterol levels can change with time even if diet remains unchanged, influenced by age, genetics, diet, activity levels, and other health conditions. There are usually no obvious symptoms, making testing important. Dr Ashrafi said: 'Identifying raised cholesterol gives you an opportunity to make lifestyle changes and, where necessary, discuss treatment before it contributes to more serious cardiovascular problems.'
Weight can creep up despite habits staying the same, typically due to losing muscle mass with age, which can be more of an issue with a sedentary lifestyle. 'Because muscle uses energy, this can affect how many calories your body needs,' he said. 'Maintaining muscle through regular resistance exercise, alongside staying active and eating a balanced diet, becomes increasingly important.'
Recovery and Prevention
Recovery after exercise can take longer with age, but that doesn't mean stopping physical challenges. 'Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to support healthy ageing,' Dr Ashrafi said. 'A combination of cardiovascular activity, resistance training and mobility work can help maintain muscle, bone health and cardiovascular fitness.'
Healthy ageing is partly influenced by genetics, with studies suggesting at least 20 to 30% is genes alone, but it's also affected by lifelong healthy habits. Dr Ashrafi recommends regular exercise, a balanced diet, good-quality sleep, refraining from smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and keeping up with GP checks. He concluded: 'Prevention is particularly important because conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol may not cause noticeable symptoms. Getting into the habit of knowing your key health numbers and seeking advice when something changes can help you take action earlier.'
