3 Major Sexual Health Problems Men Must Know - Famasi Africa

As a man, you may not be vocal about your sexual health concerns, but you’re just as vulnerable to sexual health problems as a woman. When these problems aren’t treated promptly, they can cause significant discomfort and adversely affect your relationship or overall health.

In this guide, we’ll discuss three of the most common sexual health problems for men, their solutions and how to prevent them from happening.

Erectile Dysfunction

This is perhaps the most common sexual health problem you can face. Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, occurs when you’re unable to get or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.

There are many potential causes of ED. These include physical conditions like heart disease, nerve damage and diabetes. And psychological factors such as anxiety or depression.

You can also develop ED due to a combination of both physical and psychological factors.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Once the condition has been diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, ultrasound or other tests, and established to exist, it can be treated through:

• Medication: There are certain medications (such as Viagra, Levitra, etc.) that you can use to treat ED. However, for these medications to work, you need to first get sexually stimulated, after which they’ll enhance the chemical needed for an erection.
• Penile implants: This surgical process is usually done when other methods have been tried. It involves surgically placing a device that can help with erection in the penis.

How to Prevent Erectile Dysfunction

Usually, ED is due to unhealthy life choices, therefore you can prevent it by paying attention to your choices. Some ways to prevent ED include, but are not limited to:

1. Exercising regularly
2. Reducing tobacco intake, since tobacco restricts blood flow
3. Reducing alcohol intake
4. Talking to a therapist if you’re dealing with anxiety or other stress issues
5. Seeking medical attention for your health condition to prevent long-term effects

Low Libido

Your libido is low when you have little to no interest in sex, and it can affect both genders.

Libido or sexual desire is a function of testosterone and estrogen, the primary sex hormones, in men and women respectively. However, medications like those used to treat blood pressure or used for chemotherapy may be responsible for the decrease in these hormones level.

Causes of Low Libido

Some of the causes of low libido include:

1. Hormonal changes
2. Stress
3. Depression
4. Lack of sleep
5. Lack of exercise
6. Alcohol and drug use
7. Medications
8. Low self-esteem
9. Chronic illnesses
10. Aging

Treatment for Low Libido

In many cases, you can treat low libido by changing your lifestyle.

1. Start exercising
2. Get enough sleep
3. Reduce alcoholic intake
4. Eat better
5. Speak to a therapist

Maintaining a good relationship with your partner can be difficult with low libido. But proactive and vulnerable communication can help you prevent relationship problems.

Premature Ejaculation

Imagine setting a date for a sexual meetup and after all your hype, you release semen within some seconds or minutes. It's a disappointing experience to not last as long as you want. But this is called Premature Ejaculation.

It's when you release semen quickly during sex. And it's something you may have experienced at some point. But it becomes a cause for alarm when it occurs frequently.

Causes of Premature Ejaculation

Some of the causes of PE include:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Excitement
• Depression
• Sexual abuse
• Hormonal levels
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Lack of proper sex education

How to Treat Premature Ejaculation

The treatment of this condition depends on the cause and severity. If physical, you’ll need to tackle the problem head-on. For instance, if alcohol is the cause, you might need to reduce your intake or stop.

But if it's psychological, you should see a therapist or a medical practitioner, who can prescribe methods or drugs to help tackle the condition.

There are also techniques you can use to delay your ejaculation. And one of them is the “Start and Stop” technique, where you or your partner stimulate your penis till you’re about to orgasm and then stop. This can help you control your ejaculation.

Another proven technique is allowing yourself to get distracted during sex. Or using a condom that reduces the flesh-to-flesh contact.

Final Thought

The good news is that all three of these conditions are treatable, and you can minimise your risk factors by being informed about common causes and paying attention to any recurring symptoms.

However, if you suspect that you have one of these conditions, don't hesitate to see a medical professional. They’ll be able to treat you as soon as possible, so try not to let embarrassment get in your way.