Men's Health: Men's Sexual Health

Men’s Sexual Health

Sexual health is often something men do not seek advice or help for which can lead to relationship problems and stress. Men have a number of things that can have an impact on their sexual activity, including premature ejaculation, low testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction.

There are a few factors that contribute to men’s sexual health, including sexual function and reproductive capabilities.

Here are some common men’s sexual health concerns:

Erectile dysfunction. This condition is characterized by the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection. There are several conditions that can lead to erectile dysfunction, including diabetes, spinal injury, use of tobacco or alcohol, and pelvic trauma. Treatment for erectile dysfunction includes medication, counseling and lifestyle changes. Men who have had a vasectomy usually don’t have problems with erectile dysfunction.

Premature or rapid ejaculation. This condition affects between 30 and 40 percent of men sometime in their lifetime. It occurs when you ejaculate far too quickly, usually less than a minute. 

Delayed ejaculation is the opposite or premature ejaculation. It’s when you can't ejaculate when you want to. It's a lot less common than premature ejaculation.

Sexually transmitted infections like herpes. Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection that presents in the genital region or around the mouth. Common herpes symptoms include tingling at the site where a lesion might start to appear. It’s not curable, but there are treatment options.

Low testosterone. When testosterone levels drop, men may experience symptoms like reduced libido, fatigue and mood changes.

Infertility. Some men have problems conceiving a child. This may be related to factors like low sperm count and poor sperm motility.

How Psychological Health Contributes to Men’s Sexual Health Conditions

Your mental well-being plays a significant role in your sexual health. For example, if you’re experiencing anxiety or depression, you may experience sexual difficulties. It’s important to seek help from your family physician and mental health providers like psychologists or psychiatrists. And, talk to your partner in an open way.

Who Treats Male Sexual Conditions?

In most cases, you’ll see a family physician or urologist first to rule out physical issues. Some men may benefit from seeing a sexual health counsellor. Regular checkups with your health provider are an important part of maintaining your sexual health. Your health care specialist can:

Talk to you about your medical history

• Screen for sexually transmitted diseases
• Discuss lifestyle changes
• Help you manage conditions that might contribute to sexual health conditions, like diabetes

If you'd like more information about men's sexual health conditions, talk to your family physician or urologist.