What Causes Men’s Sexual Dysfunction and What Can You Do About It?

Sex is an important part of life and involves both the body and brain working together for healthy sexual functioning. It's normal to experience a diminished sex drive now and then due to life commitments, but if your sexual desire and inability to maintain/get an erection persists, you may be dealing with sexual dysfunction. Male sexual dysfunction refers to difficulties for men to engage in and enjoy sexual intercourse with a partner. The health condition can affect men of any age group but is more common in older men yet very few people seek treatment for it due to embarrassment. An Australian study found that up to 54% of Australian men experienced at least one sexual difficulty in the last year.

The Main Types of Sexual Dysfunction are:

Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual dysfunction in men and occurs when men ejaculate too soon.

Low libido

Sexual libido or sex drive can fluctuate over time depending on age and lifestyle.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction refers to trouble getting and maintaining an erection. The exact cause is not known although some studies suggest that the breakdown of serotonin (a chemical that contributes to happiness) may be a factor.

Delayed ejaculation

Delayed ejaculation is when ejaculation takes a long time or does not happen at all.

Causes of sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction is a physical and psychological problem that can seriously impact a man's self-esteem and confidence. Several factors can cause sexual dysfunction, such as:

- Smoking

- Alcohol and drug use

- Low testosterone levels (Testosterone decreases by 1 per cent each year once a man is in his late 30s and can decrease up to 50 per cent at age 70)

- Prescription drugs such as antidepressants

- High blood pressure

- Obesity

- Heart disease

- Prostate cancer treatment

- Surgeries affecting the pelvic area or spinal cord

- Poor sleeping habits

Psychological factors can include:

- Stress

- Anxiety

- Depression

- Marital or relationship problems

- Performance anxiety

As arousal starts in the brain, psychological factors can impact a man's sexual function. Stress raises oxidation levels in the body, which can interfere with the brain's signals to send extra blood to the penis during arousal.

Ways to Prevent Men's Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction can affect any male at any stage of their life, but there are certain steps you can take to minimise the chances of sexual dysfunction:

- Communicate your concerns and desires with your sexual partner to foster an open and honest relationship

- Exercise daily

- Quit smoking and drug use

- Limit alcohol consumption

- Manage any chronic or mental health conditions

A study published by The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that testosterone therapy improved sexual libido in older men with reported low testosterone levels. It is recommended to speak to a doctor about your options and any concerns about decreased sexual libido.

Key Natural Ingredients for Sexual Function

- Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is Peruvian ginseng used throughout history to enhance sex drive, fertility and energy. It is high in nutrients including vitamin B and C, magnesium and calcium. A 2002 placebo-controlled study found that test subjects taking Maca doses reported improvement to their sexual desire after eight weeks of treatment.

- Panax Ginseng is Asian ginseng and has long been used as an aphrodisiac to enhance sexual libido and function in both men and women.

- KSM66-66 is an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract used in traditional medicine to boost male sexual libido. Other health benefits include reducing stress, increasing testosterone and boosting energy levels.

Sexual dysfunction may be uncomfortable to talk about and seek treatment for but ignoring the problem will not make it go away. Consider the factors that may impact you having a healthy sex life and consult a healthcare professional to discuss your options.

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Lipa Pharmaceutical's Private Label range includes Sexual Health and Virility with several key ingredients to support healthy sexual function and increase virility.