Sexual Diversity and Male Sexual Health Information

Male sexual health is a complex issue, and one that is often taken for granted. Complications in this department can have repercussions not only for their love lives and self-confidence but for their overall health as well.

The media portrays sex as endlessly exciting, gratifying and straightforward. However, for many people and couples the reality is quite different. Sexual problems are very common, but because sex often involves complex emotions, patients (and doctors) can find these problems difficult to raise and discuss. Stress, illness, medicines, or emotional problems may also be factors. Occasional problems with sexual function are common. If problems last more than a few months or cause distress for you or your partner, you should see your health care provider.

The most common sexual problems in men include erectile dysfunction or impotence, performance anxiety, delayed ejaculation, premature ejaculation, low sexual desire or low libido, and sexual aversion.

A sexual problem, or sexual dysfunction, refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the male from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. The sexual response cycle has four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution.

There are different types of ejaculation disorders, including:

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