Most common male sexual health problems
This is hardly a topic to discuss standing around a braai, but male sexual health is a critical topic. About 1 out of 10 men suffer from sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation. But this is not something that is ever openly discussed among men and many men will never seek help for these problems.
Let's pull back the cover from some of the most common male sexual health problems.
1. Erectile Dysfunction
Also called ED (short for Erectile Dysfunction), it basically means that a man is struggling to get an erection or to maintain an erection long enough to have sex or to take part in other sexual activities.
ED is not a "disease" that you are diagnosed with and that you "have", it is something that happens. All men will experience at some point of their lives.
Many things can cause Erectile Dysfunction, including:
- Drinking too much alcohol
- A physical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems
- Smoking
- As a side effect of prescription medication
- Psychological stress or problems such as trauma, work stress, family stress, depression, etc.
Again - ALL MEN WILL EXPERIENCE ED AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. It just happens. Persistent ED - if you are consistently experiencing ED, means that you must make an appointment at your doctor ASAP.
2. Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation pretty much does what it says on the box - you finish too quickly. But what is "too quickly" to come? Basically, "too quickly" means that you finish before you wanted to.
Some men climax with very little stimulation. Now, remember, this is only a "problem" if you or your partner is bothered by it. There are many ways around it. Again, it's not a disease.
If it is a problem or you are worried about other issues too, you must go see your doctor about it. Psychosexual treatment is also an option for many men.
3. Losing your libido
Your libido is your sex drive. Sometimes, you're just not in the mood. That's called being a human - when you've had a crappy day, you don't feel like getting dirty. But a loss of libido means that you lose interest in sex or in sexual thoughts. Nothing turns you on. This is where it becomes a problem.
Loss of libido especially affects your partner. For many men, it affects their self worth as well. Loss of libido can be caused by many factors, including stress, relationship troubles, prescription medication, some medical conditions, or anxiety.
If you experience a lowered libido, it's not always time to rush to a doctor. In many cases some lifestyle changes can influence your libido, better work-life balance, more exercise, or other things to address the mental or physical stress. However, if you are concerned then you always need to go talk to a doctor or medical professional who will be able to rule out underlying medical conditions and recommend the best course of action.
The information form this article comes from the NHS website.
Disclaimer: No information on this page may be taken as medical advice or used to perform a diagnosis of any kind. Always seek the help of a medical professional.