June is the month we celebrate fathers. What better time to talk to them about the importance of their sexual health. Sexual health and well-being are classified as the state of physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual aspects related to sexuality. It’s an essential part of good health. Poor sexual health, be it psychological or pathological, can seriously affect the quality of life of adolescent and adult men.
Sexual intimacy has always been stigmatized and people are reluctant to speak openly about their sexuality. In the current scenario, not only has the pandemic worsened mental health, but it has also affected sexual health problems among people.
One of the main reasons for the increasing levels of stress in individuals is due to factors such as jobs, imbalance in work life, financial challenges, lack of socialization, and relationship conflicts, among other things. Stress directly affects our hormones and mood, and robs a person of libido, thereby affecting the couple’s quality time. It can gradually turn a person into a smoker or an alcoholic, which in turn can affect sexual performance. These can lead to problems such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and male fertility. A man should be strong physically, mentally, and spiritually. A balanced sex life always enables the individual to have healthy relationships, planned pregnancies, illnesses and prevention. Therefore, it is important to understand all aspects of sexual health and the requirements for a fulfilling sex life.
A recent Italian study (WebMD) found that Covid-19 increased the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) by almost six times. Diabetes, obesity, and smoking, which increase the risk of contracting COVID-19, are also risk factors for ED. The data estimate that men with a history of coronavirus are 5.66 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction. The problem can be short term or long term. While erectile dysfunction affects men and is generally considered a man’s affair, it also affects women in a relationship. According to the results of a recent survey, 56 percent of men would like to talk to their partner about erectile dysfunction in order to improve their relationship, while 28 percent of women consider breaking up if their partner does not take corrective action for erectile dysfunction.
The most common sexual health problems that affect men are:
Cardiovascular disease – The leading health threat to men – Heart disease and stroke are the most common disease in both men and women. Increasing physical activity is advisable, and changing your diet can do wonders.
Depression and diabetes – If left untreated, diabetes can lead to nerve and kidney damage, heart disease and strokes, and even impaired vision or blindness. Men with diabetes are at risk of lower testosterone levels and sexual impotence. This can lead to increased depression or anxiety.
Liver disease – Patients with liver disease tend to have an increase in advanced liver failure. This process is directly related to cirrhosis of the liver or its treatments, such as a liver transplant, or with certain drugs (e.g. beta blockers). Apart from cirrhosis, other factors can also lead to sexual problems in these patients.
Premature ejaculation – If you ejaculate before or very soon after starting sexual activity, premature ejaculation may occur. While it’s best known as a nuisance in younger men just starting out into a sexual relationship, it happens about equally often in men of all ages. In fact, it can act as a warning sign of erectile dysfunction or an underlying anxiety disorder in older men.
Erectile dysfunction – If you are having trouble getting or maintaining an erection firm enough to have sex, you may have erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction occurs when the penis does not have enough blood to maintain an erection. In many cases this can be associated with physical condition, vascular disease, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It can also be caused by mental illnesses such as anxiety, stress, and depression. While ED is more common in men over 50, it can happen at any age.
Reduced Libido (Reduced Sexual Desire)– Low libido means that your desire or interest in sex has decreased. The condition is often associated with low levels of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone maintains sex drive, sperm production, muscles, hair, and bones. Low testosterone levels can affect your body and mood. Decreased sexual desire can also be caused by depression, anxiety, or relationship difficulties. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain medications such as antidepressants can also contribute to low libido.
Sexual health problems can also have a physical or psychological cause and are often a combination of both:
Physical reasons are:
Disease or infection
Skin disorders
Side effects of medication
Psychological reasons are:
stress
Anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem
Relationship difficulties
Uncertainty about your sexuality
Previous sexual experiences
It is extremely important to speak to an andrologist about your sexual health. Your doctor can recommend ways to stay safe and improve your sexual health problems. A healthy lifestyle can help improve sexual function – improving diet, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and regular exercise all contribute to better overall health, and therefore better sexual health.
This article was written by Dr. SS Vasan (Bangalore) MBBS, DNB-General Surgery, DNB-Urology / Genito-Urinary Surgery, FICS, Fellowship in Andrology and Incontinence (Singapore)
source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/6-common-ailments-that-are-prevalent-in-men-that-shouldnt-be-ignored/
No comments:
Post a Comment