Information About Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction is difficulty during any stage of the sexual act (which includes desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution) that prevents the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity.

According to recent research cited in a study on sexual dysfunction in Europe, sexual dysfunctions are highly prevalent in both sexes, ranging from 10% to 52% of men and 25% to 63% of women. Sexual difficulties can begin early in a person's sex life or they may develop after an individual has previously experienced enjoyable and satisfying sex. A problem may develop gradually over time, or may occur suddenly as a total or partial inability to participate in one or more sexual acts. The causes of sexual difficulties can be physical, psychological, or both.

What Causes Sexual Dysfunction?

• Physical causes include diabetes, heart and vascular (blood vessel) disease, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic diseases such as kidney or liver failure, and alcoholism and drug abuse. In addition, the side effects of certain medications, including some antidepressant drugs, can affect sexual desire and function.
• Psychological causes include work-related stress and anxiety, concern about sexual performance, marital or relationship problems, depression, feelings of guilt, and the effects of a past sexual trauma.

How Do Sexual Dysfunction Affect Men?

• Premature ejaculation refers to ejaculation that occurs before or soon after penetration.
• Inhibited or retarded ejaculation is when ejaculation is slow to occur.
• Retrograde ejaculation occurs when, at orgasm, the ejaculate is forced back into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out the end of the penis.

How Is Male Sexual Dysfunction Treated?

Many cases of sexual dysfunction can be corrected by treating the underlying physical or psychological problems. Treatment strategies may include the following:

• Medical - treatment of any physical problem that may be contributing to a man's sexual dysfunction.
• Natural Medications - Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove that Yohimbe, Arginine, Ginseng and other natural herbs may improve sexual behavior.
• Hormones - men with low levels of testosterone may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.
• Psychological - therapy can help a person address his feelings of sexual anxiety, fear or guilt.
• Education and communication - Education about sexual behaviors and responses may help a man overcome his anxieties about sexual performance. Also, open dialogue with your partner about your needs and concerns also helps to overcome many barriers to a healthy sex life.

Man's Sex Drive Decline

Whether the decline of your sex drive is a new problem or something you've always experienced, you don't have to just live with it. Whenever a person's sex drive is on the decline, it may cause problems in a relationship with their partner. The man's significant other may enjoy sex very much, and feel that their needs are not being met. Some people tend to think that sex is a way to express your love for another person. Without it, a person may not feel attractive nor loved.

Signs of a low sex drive include:

• Less frequent sexual thoughts and fantasies
• Reduced sexual desire
• Reluctance to initiate sex
• Less frequent masturbation

Ejaculation and the Male Orgasm

The male orgasm is a complex experience. The major function of the male orgasm usually includes the ejaculation of sperm. In the 1950s, Robert Kinsey, a scientist who first explored human sexuality in any detail, described the orgasm as "an explosive discharge of neuromuscular tension" There is still a lot about the male orgasm that is not entirely understood.

The male orgasm is not just about ejaculation. It is possible to have an orgasm without ejaculation.

• Some men do not have an ejaculation until several seconds after orgasm.
• Some men, who are incapable of ejaculation, are still capable of orgasm.
• Some men, may experience several ejaculations and go on to have further orgasms, but without ejaculation.

The male orgasm seems to have psychological as well as a physical effects. Some men say that they have a more focal experience, feeling the orgasm in the scrotum and the genital area. Other men report their orgasm as a feeling that spreads over to some parts of the body and others that their orgasm is felt all over. How much of this is physical and how much psychological is difficult to judge.

Controlling Ejaculation During A Man's Orgasm
Ejaculation is often felt to be disappointing if it happens too quickly. A disappointment that may also be felt by your sexual partner. Men report multiple orgasms more than women in the Kinsey report. 14% of women reported being multiple orgasmic and between 15-20% of men.