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Top sexual problems for men

Young man sitting on bed with hide the face.
Sexual problems can be referred to the correct doctors. (Photo: Gettyimages)

by Dr Chester Lan, DTAP Clinic

Sexual conditions in general can be an embarrassing topic to discuss. However, some sexual problems are more common than others, as we will discuss in this article and what can be done to alleviate these issues:

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (aka impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Having issues maintaining an erection from time to time isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, but it may warrant medical attention if the issue is much more frequent.

Studies indicate that up to 20% of sexually active men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, and the prevalence of the condition increases with age. It is found that up to 86% of men aged 80 years and above are unable to achieve a satisfactory erection.

There are numerous reasons as to why this condition can persist. Contributing factors include:

  1. Diabetes

  2. Hypertension

  3. Smoking

  4. Performance anxiety

  5. Stress

  6. Low testosterone

Treatment

During your consultation, your doctor will examine these risk factors in your history and advise accordingly. For example, certain conditions can be treated with medication that eases blood flow to the penis to encourage a stronger erection. Or if the problems are more serious, it will be treated through other medications or even lifestyle changes.

Premature Ejaculation

Amongst the others, premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common sexual problem affecting men, with studies indicating that 1 in 3 men may be affected by it.

Usually, PE stems from psychological issues and not physical ones. Some of these issues include:

  1. Anxiety

  2. Poor body image

  3. Sexual naivety

  4. Relationship issues

  5. Depression

However, there may be some cases where it is stemmed from physiological causes such as:

  1. Abnormal hormone levels

  2. Inflammation or infection of the prostate or urethra.

Treatment

PE is usually treated with a combination of as-per-needed medication which is either oral or topical. At DTAP Clinic, patients can also undergo body and mental training to avoid such issues as well as behavioural changes to prevent this condition from occurring.

Low Libido

Low libido, or decreased sex drive, is a condition that can be derived from psychological issues such as depression or anxiety, or medical issues such as hormone issues or low testosterone levels, potentially leading to unsatisfied partners or a reduction in one’s self-confidence.

Your doctor will usually go through your history to investigate if there are any contributing factors. For a clearer image, blood tests may also be taken to examine hormone levels. Low levels can potentially present not just with a lower than usual level of libido, but also erectile dysfunction, loss of morning erections, weight gain, concentration, or mood swings.

Treatment

In order to effectively treat low libido, the root cause must be addressed to determine if it’s psychological or physiological. Testosterone replacement therapy may be advised if an individual has hormonal issues. Otherwise, lifestyle changes and encouraging a healthy mind and body connection may also be effective.

Though these conditions can be embarrassing for some people, they are highly treatable, and the first step to mitigate this is to open up and discuss with your doctor.

About Dr Chester Lan

Dr Chester Lan graduated from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the National University of Singapore, with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. He is also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and holds a Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine.

About DTAP

Established in 2005, DTAP (Dr. Tan & Partners) clinics, a pioneer of the GP plus, or “General Practice with Special Interest” model in Singapore, provides holistic and comprehensive medical care for everyone. We provide basic GP services with a key focus in HIV & STD testing and management, Men’s Health (Andrology), Women’s Health, Aesthetics, and Chronic Disease Management services. DTAP clinics are located in Singapore and Malaysia, and DTAP Express is the first clinic in Singapore with express self-testing kits for STD. “DTAP to Home” is an extension of DTAP Teleconsult and DTAP Delivery for medications, supplements and health aid services.