Men's Sexual Health
The following terms are frequently encountered when discussing women’s sexual health. Please note: Information given here is for educational purposes only; it should not take the place of your physician’s recommendations.
Ejaculation – inhibited or retarded
Inhibited or retarded ejaculation occurs when a man has difficulty reaching climax or having an orgasm. The problem can be caused or influenced by many factors, including the ones mentioned under “Erectile dysfunction and impotence,” and as a result of intercourse taking too long. In most cases, inhibited or retarded ejaculation is treatable through medical and/or psychological counseling.
Ejaculation – premature
When a man does not have adequate voluntary ejaculatory control, he climaxes involuntarily before he desires. This is called premature ejaculation. The immediate cause of PE is a lack of sexual sensory awareness. In most cases, PE is treatable through medical and/or psychological counseling.
Erectile dysfunction and impotence
Impotence is the inability to achieve stiffness of the penis or an erection. It is normal for most men to have an occasional instance of impotence when they are tired or nervous. When impotence becomes a pattern or a long-lasting problem, however, it can profoundly affect the emotional lives of men and their sexual partners.
Erections occur when there is an increase of blood flow into the penis causing stiffness. Nerves in the penis provide the sensations of pleasure and help maintain the erection until ejaculation.
There are many possible physical and nonphysical causes of impotence, including:
- alcohol and drug use
- complications after radical surgery for cancer of the prostate
- depression, stress or anxiety
- diabetes
- disturbance of blood circulation to the penis
- extreme fatigue
- fear of failure at intercourse and/or loss of interest in sex
- low levels of male hormone (testosterone)
- neurological diseases or injuries, such as paraplegia and multiple sclerosis, as well as other medical conditions
- overeating and drinking, which diverts blood to the gastrointestinal organs
- side effects of medications for heart disease, high blood pressure and nervous disorders (tranquilizers)
Please visit our Health Topics for more information.
Illness - long-term and chronic
As a person ages or is diagnosed with a chronic illness, sexual functioning may change. The individual may have a decrease in sexual desire, inability to have an orgasm or other sexual problems. It is important to note that long-term illnesses do not necessarily prevent sexual intercourse. Often, a sex therapist can help to change a person’s perspectives or beliefs about intercourse and sexual functioning in ways that enrich the sexual experience.
Infertility - male
Infertility is defined as the failure of a couple to become pregnant after one year of having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. Problems in either the male or the female reproductive system can prevent a woman from getting pregnant.
Male infertility most commonly occurs because the man produces too few sperm or no sperm at all. Sometimes the sperm are classified as “abnormal,” meaning they are malformed and cannot swim properly, or have a short lifespan. Sometimes the problem is with ejaculation and in delivering the sperm to the woman’s vagina.
Low sexual desire
Sexual desire varies from person to person and often depends on a person’s emotional state, physical health and overall well-being. Stress, drug use, medications, relationship changes, fatigue and pregnancy can often contribute to an individual’s sex life and level of desire. People who experience a lack of sexual desire should discuss this with their medical doctor and, if necessary, consult a sex therapist for additional treatment.
Medication and sex
Some medications can affect a person’s sex life. For example, many hypertension medications can cause a lack of sexual desire. It is important to discuss all sexual side effects of medications with a medical doctor and assess whether a sex therapist can help.
Prostate health
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in American men. Because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages of this disease, regular cancer-related checkups, or cancer screenings, are recommended as a way to help find cancer in the early stages when it is still curable. Men should talk with their doctor about prostate cancer, the symptoms to watch for and an appropriate schedule of checkups. The doctor's assessment will be based on the man's age, medical history and other factors. Visit our Health Topic.
Sexual trauma
Sex and intimacy can cause both men and women to feel vulnerable. Sometimes, individuals who have experienced abuse may find it particularly difficult to relax and develop a fully healthy sexual relationship in which they feel safe. Sex therapy can help men and women address trauma and abuse that occurred any time during their life – adulthood or childhood. Trauma suffered as a child can be violent sexual abuse – or incedent exposure to sex. It is difficult to talk about abuse and trauma, but Sexual Health Counseling Services provides a safe environment in which a person can address such issues with an expert who can professionally treat the trauma.
Remember: It is important to talk with your sex therapist about sexual trauma that occurred at any time in your life.
