Male Sexual Problems -- the Basics
Male Sexual Problems -- the Basics
Problems with sexual functioning are common, affecting more than half of all couples at some time. Although sexual dysfunction rarely threatens physical health, it can take a heavy psychological toll, bringing on depression, anxiety, and debilitating feelings of inadequacy. Many sexual problems are actually symptoms of other more serious heath disorders and should be evaluated by a health care provider.
The major categories of sexual dysfunction in men include:
If your sexual problem only occurs under a particular set of circumstances, or only with certain sexual partners, then your condition is considered to be "situational" rather than "generalized" (occurring regardless of the circumstances or partner).
Many of these sexual conditions will occur at some point during the course of a man's life. In fact, some researchers only consider a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction if the problem occurs in 25% of all attempted sexual encounters.
Because the sexual response is so complex, involving multiple factors, there are many causes of sexual dysfunction including physical and psychological causes.
An erection involves the nervous and vascular systems (the network of arteries and veins) and appropriate levels of hormones, so problems with any of these systems can interfere with sexual functioning. Common physical causes of sexual dysfunction include the following:
Understanding Male Sexual Problems -- the Basics
In this article
What Are Male Sexual Problems?
Problems with sexual functioning are common, affecting more than half of all couples at some time. Although sexual dysfunction rarely threatens physical health, it can take a heavy psychological toll, bringing on depression, anxiety, and debilitating feelings of inadequacy. Many sexual problems are actually symptoms of other more serious heath disorders and should be evaluated by a health care provider.
The major categories of sexual dysfunction in men include:
- Erectile dysfunction: sometimes called impotence, it is the inability to have or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual functioning.
- Premature ejaculation: an inability to delay orgasm and ejaculation, such that it occurs very early in the course of sexual contact, leaving the other partner dissatisfied.
- Male orgasmic disorder: an inability to reach orgasm (climax) with a partner; or the inability to achieve orgasm without lengthy sexual contact; or the inability to have an orgasm during intercourse. In some cases, orgasm can be achieved only through masturbation or oral sex.
- Inhibited or hypoactive sexual desire: a disinterest in sexual contact or complete lack of sexual desire.
- Retrograde ejaculation: the semen, rather than emerging from the end of the penis, moves backward into the bladder during orgasm.
- Priapism: a prolonged erection unaccompanied by sexual desire; this rare condition is potentially dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.
If your sexual problem only occurs under a particular set of circumstances, or only with certain sexual partners, then your condition is considered to be "situational" rather than "generalized" (occurring regardless of the circumstances or partner).
Many of these sexual conditions will occur at some point during the course of a man's life. In fact, some researchers only consider a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction if the problem occurs in 25% of all attempted sexual encounters.
What Causes Male Sexual Problems?
Because the sexual response is so complex, involving multiple factors, there are many causes of sexual dysfunction including physical and psychological causes.
An erection involves the nervous and vascular systems (the network of arteries and veins) and appropriate levels of hormones, so problems with any of these systems can interfere with sexual functioning. Common physical causes of sexual dysfunction include the following:
- Hypogonadism, in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone
- Thyroid disorders(both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism)
- Adrenal lesions (Cushing's syndrome)
- Noncancerous pituitary growths that increase levels of a hormone called prolactin
- Diseases that affect the nervous system, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, long-standing diabetes, and Parkinson's disease
- Damage following pelvic surgery (such as prostate, colon, or bladder surgery)
- Conditions that affect the penis directly, such as Peyronie's disease (penile curvature) or injury to the penis itself or to the arteries, veins, or nerves that supply the penis
- Any serious and debilitating diseases that result in intense fatigue, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, cirrhosis, cancer, and kidney failure
