What urologists want men to know
For most guys, it’s uncomfortable thinking about erectile dysfunction, let alone discussing it with a doctor. But, according to Dr Stacy Elliott, that reluctance to address potential problems ‘down there’ comes at a cost. “Men should pay attention to their sexual health,” says sexual medicine physician and clinical professor, Elliott. “All too often, they either try to fix it quietly on their own or suffer with it unnecessarily.” To save you any potential embarrassment, we went straight to the urologist to find the answers to everything you ever wanted to know about men’s sexual health – but were afraid to ask.
Erectile problems are more common than you think
Think you’re the only guy struggling with, erm… performance issues? Think again. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are common conditions among men of all ages. In fact, in a study of 4000 men, nearly half were found to suffer from erectile dysfunction, leading researchers to believe it impacts roughly one million Australian men over the age of 40. The real problem, says Dr Elliott, is that men typically don’t seek help soon enough and suffer in silence. A doctor can help you not only fix these issues, but also address the underlying causes – an important distinction, as erectile problems aren’t always physical.
Do you know the most common causes of erectile dysfunction? Read on to find out.
Low sex drive doesn’t necessarily mean low testosterone
According to Dr Elliott, a man’s sex drive is a combination of biological and psychological factors. Although these factors include testosterone, they also reflect your overall health, your fitness level and your self-perception. “We also look at depression and relationship issues which can prevent the person from being sexual,” Dr Elliott says.