What is Male Sexual Dysfunction?
Male sexual dysfunction refers to physical and/or psychological issues that inhibit sexual intercourse and satisfaction between partners. Sexual dysfunction often stems from a combination of physical and psychological issues. Depression, anxiety, and stress can all play major roles in sexual dysfunction by both causing and exacerbating the issue.
Male sexual dysfunction may include erectile dysfunction, lessened sexual desire, and/or disordered ejaculation. Male sexual dysfunction is a common issue and can impact men at any age. However, older men in their middle age and elderly years are more likely to suffer from this condition than their younger counterparts.
Signs of Male Sexual Dysfunction
The main symptoms of male sexual dysfunction are listed below. Keep in mind that signs of male sexual dysfunction vary depending on the individual and the cause of the condition. So, a man with sexual dysfunction may experience only one or many of these symptoms.
- Difficulty having or keeping an erection
- Difficulty having or keeping an erection that’s appropriate for penetration
- Difficulty reaching an orgasm or inability to reach an organism, even when the individual has experienced sufficient sexual stimulation
- Reaching an orgasm only after an abnormally lengthy period of stimulation, or only during oral sex or masturbation
- Inability to manage the timing of an orgasm so that both partners are satisfied
- Absence of ejaculate
- Lasting erection without sexual stimulation
- Absence of sexual interests, fantasies or desire
How is Male Sexual Dysfunction Treated?
Treatment of male sexual dysfunction is typically preceded by a medical exam. Your doctor may conduct a physical exam, blood tests, urinalysis, psychological screening, and/or an ultrasound to check for conditions that may be causing the condition.
To start treatment of male sexual dysfunction, it’s important to pinpoint the underlying cause(s) of the disease. Treatment strategies may include:
Medication
There are oral medications known to effectively treat sexual dysfunction in many individuals. These drugs work by increasing blood flow to stimulate and erection with nitric oxide, a natural bodily chemical. Sexual stimulation is needed for these medications to produce an erection.
Therapy or counseling
When the underlying cause of male sexual dysfunction is psychological, therapy can be an effective treatment method. A therapist can help with feelings of depression, stress, anxiety, fear, and low self-esteem to increase sexual desire.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy involves taking supplemental testosterone to treat male sexual dysfunction. Testosterone may be taken in the form of pills, injections, patches, or topical gels.
Pumps or implants
When medications aren’t a successful treatment method, your doctor may suggest a penis pump or implant for male sexual dysfunction. These tools can help stimulate an erection to improve sexual satisfaction between partners.