Male Centric Sexual Problems: Things men don’t talk about.

Whether a male is gay, transgender, straight, or bisexual, sexual health problems can affect anyone. 

Lack of sexual desire, inability to get an erection, occurrence of irrelevant orgasms, or problems with ejaculation are some of the problems faced by men. 

It has been identified that men need more stimulation and foreplay to get and keep erection as they age. It may also take longer than usual to get an orgasm in older males. Lower levels of testosterone, alcohol consumption, smoking, drug abuse, prescription drugs, and blood vessel disorders are certain factors governing sexual dysfunction. Apart from this, past sexual trauma, anxiety about sexual performance, relationship problems, and stress are also some of the psychological causes of sexual problems in males. 

Retrograde Ejaculation 

This is a sexual problem wherein the semen fluid enters the bladder of males instead of penile tissue. Even though the condition does not possess any harm to both the partners, it makes the males unfavorable for conceiving a child. Retrograde ejaculation is therefore also known as a dry orgasm. Males with diabetes, prostate or ballads surgery, multiple sclerosis, or similar problems are at great risk. 

To develop a better understanding of retrograde ejaculation, let us understand the male reproductive system. Vas defense is a thin tube responsible for transporting sperms to the prostate gland where they are mixed with fluids to form semen. The bladder neck muscles help in preventing ejaculation from the bladder by keeping the muscles tight. However, when the bladder neck muscles fail to tighten, a person is likely to face retrograde ejaculation. That means sperms from the person’s body enter the bladder. The symptoms of this condition include- 

• Presence of cloudy urine after orgasm 
• Male infertility 
• Orgasms with very little or no semen from the penis 

Erectile Dysfunction 

Erectile dysfunction or impotence refers to the inability of a male to get and keep an erection firm throughout intercourse. This condition can lead to unsatisfactory sex life, low self-esteem, relationship problems, and infertility. Physical factors such as heart diseases, hypertension, high blood sugar, obesity, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, alcoholism, smoking, cancer, etc are some of the causative factors of erectile dysfunction. Such diseases affect the flow of blood due to the hardening of arteries. In addition to physical factors, psychological factors such as stress, depression, anxiety about sexual performance can also cause erectile dysfunction. 

So, visiting healthcare professionals for regular checkups and screening tests helps in the prevention of the problem. 

Additionally, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, limiting the amount of alcohol consumption, and managing stress can be highly effective and efficient for dealing with erectile dysfunction. 

Doctors also recommend erection pills such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis. 

Priapism/ Prolonged Erection 

Sometimes, males may face problems of persistent, prolonged, and unwanted erection that may or may not be caused by sexual arousal. Such a condition is known as prolonged erection or priapism. It is important to note that a painful erection for more than 2 hours is treated as a medical emergency. Trapping of blood in the penis leads to Priapism and causes problems with blood circulation. The signs and symptoms of priapism include- 

• Erection that lasts for more than 2 hours 
• The increased rigidity of the penile shaft 
• Progressive pain in the penis 

Premature Ejaculation 

It is a common sexual problem seen in young males. Premature ejaculation is a condition wherein the male ejaculates within one minute of entering the partner’s genitals. In other words, ejaculation occurs sooner than desirable after penetration. The various causes of premature ejaculation include- 

• Erectile dysfunction 
• Hormonal imbalances 
• Low levels of neurotransmitters involved in sexual desire and excitement 
• Anxiety about sexual performance 
• Stress, depression, or relationship problems 

There are various ways to deal with Premature ejaculation. Masturbating before few hours of sex and using a thick condom to decrease sensation proves to be effective ways. Nonetheless, it is always a thoughtful step to consult healthcare professionals to manage, deal with, and overcome such issues. 

Peyronie’s Disease 

It is a non-cancerous male condition that leads to a significant bending of the penis and painful erections. Our body has the ability to heal any injured body part. So, while trying to rectify the disrupted penile tissue, it forms scar tissues in a disorganized manner. The symptoms of Peyronie’s disease are- 

• Formation of a scar tissue network 
• Bending or curving of the penis (upwards or downwards) 
• Shortening of the penis 
• Pain in the penis with or without erection 
• Erectile dysfunction 

Reaching out to specialists 

Male sexual arousal involves the brain, genitals, hormones, nerves, and blood vessels. Sexual problems are preventable if we make certain lifestyle changes. Elder males may face problems related to erection, ejaculation, and orgasms. Medications, meditation, mechanical aids (implants), sex therapy, and education can effectively help in overcoming sexual problems. 

Men often face difficulties while achieving or maintaining the erection required for intercourse. Moreover, they also suffer from an inability to control the timing of ejaculation. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and sexologists act as a helping hand in managing, dealing with, and overcoming the problems of sexual dysfunction. So, it is one of the best options to consult professionals regarding such issues.