Career, family, household problems. . . In the cycle of problems, many men leave concerns about their own health in the background, returning to them only after the discomfort becomes obvious.
One obvious example is erectile dysfunction. On the one hand, sexual weakness is an object of fear for many men. On the other hand, weakened sexual potential is rarely taken seriously at first. Meanwhile, the first signs of reduced potency in men should definitely attract attention and become a reason for consulting a specialist.
Potency problems: psychology or physiology?
Traditionally, the problem of erectile dysfunction is associated with age: the older a man is, the more problems he has in the sexual sphere. However, doctors are starting to sound the alarm: erectile dysfunction has become noticeably younger. Starting from the age of 25, a modern person may experience periodic manifestations of this symptom. In addition, the main causes of reduced potency in young men today are considered not to be stress and psycho-emotional disorders, but chronic diseases and lifestyle features
So what are the main factors that reduce sexual potency in men?
- infectious diseases (usually chronic);
- diseases associated with metabolic destabilization (including obesity);
- prostatitis;
- vascular damage;
- bad habits;
- diabetes;
- neurotic disorders, prolonged stress, depression;
- acquired or congenital defects of the male genital organs.
It should be noted that the listed factors do not always lead to the development of sexual dysfunction, but the first signs of worsening erection or decreased libido should signal the need to visit a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to identify the real causes of dysfunction and exclude the presence of serious diseases that may be hidden behind the symptom.
Fighting the reduced potency: on all fronts
Out of 100% of men who experience sexual weakness, only 10% will immediately consult a doctor and actively work to solve this problem. The rest, for various reasons, the main one of which is discomfort, will ignore the "first signs", bringing the problem to its peak. That is why the first step to restoring sexual power should be awareness of the problem, and only then the effort to get rid of it.
The causes of reduced potency in men and its treatment are interrelated and require not only medication, but also psychological correction, as well as serious changes in lifestyle and nutrition.
If the cause of reduced potency in young or mature men is not physiological factors, then to normalize libido and sexual potential it is necessary:
- refusal of habits that negatively affect potency - smoking, frequent alcohol consumption;
- balancing the diet - it is important to add vitamins to the menu, exclude fatty dishes with cholesterol and fast food, love sauerkraut, watermelon and dark chocolate;
- make your lifestyle more active, but without excessive physical activity;
- avoid stressful situations, you can relax and switch attention to positive aspects;
- avoid hypothermia and carefully monitor personal hygiene;
- do not indulge in promiscuous sexual relations.
If the situation with reduced efficacy is not critical, it is not necessary to resort to drug therapy. A positive effect in combination with lifestyle correction can be achieved by taking a herbal biological supplement that has a mild corrective effect on the body.
Premature ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual disorders in men. However, this is not a full-fledged disease, since the function of the sexual organs is preserved and at certain moments of life (adolescence, long-term sexual abstinence) it is generally the norm. Premature ejaculation (PE) refers to ejaculation with little sexual stimulation, as well as an inability to delay ejaculation for the time required for complete intercourse. This leads to the fact that sexual partners do not get satisfaction from sex and conflicts arise. A person begins to experience psychological problems, fear of intimacy. If the pathology becomes chronic and begins to appear more often, the help of an andrologist is required.
What are the causes of premature ejaculation
There are primary and secondary (acquired) forms. The primary occurs due to anatomical defects of the genital organs or pathological heredity. The debut of early ejaculation occurs during puberty and does not depend on external factors (partner, situation, psychological state).
Causes of congenital form:
- penile hypersensitivity;
- dysfunction of serotonin receptors;
- penile frenulum short;
- cavernous fibrosis.
Secondary premature ejaculation can occur against the background of a man's complete physical health at any time of life. The main cause is chronic urogenital diseases. Hormonal disorders, which are characteristic of endocrine pathologies, can also lead to sexual dysfunction.
Factors that significantly increase the risk of PE include:
- obesity;
- traumatic sexual experience;
- chronic stress;
- family problems (conflicts, emotional coldness between spouses);
- presence of neurological diagnoses - sclerosis, Parkinson's disease;
- irregular sex;
- operations on the genitals or pelvic area.
An important factor is good nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The lack of male trace elements such as magnesium and zinc negatively affects the quality of the ejaculate. Excessive addiction to alcohol reduces the ability to control the body, which leads to unpleasant incidents in bed.
Premature ejaculation: diagnosis and consultation with a doctor
The main consequences of pathological sexual dysfunction include:
- Sexual dissatisfaction.
- A man's inability to delay and control ejaculation.
- Conflicts and problems in personal relationships, feelings of guilt and fear of intimacy.
If you have such symptoms, it is recommended to consult an andrologist or urologist. During the appointment, the doctor pays special attention to collecting a sexual history. For this it turns out:
- average length of time before ejaculation;
- the impact of PE on the quality of personal and sexual life;
- does the man have endocrine diseases or metabolic disorders;
- How common are cases of premature ejaculation?
- at what age did the first case of PE occur?
- whether the man is taking any medication.
A detailed study of the details of a man's sex life will allow the doctor to distinguish between congenital and acquired pathologies. Doctors also classify the situational form of PE in a special group. In this case, premature ejaculation occurs only under certain circumstances (with the same partner, in a certain place).
Treatment of premature ejaculation
In some cases, it is enough to reduce the consumption of alcohol or other stimulant drinks (energy drinks, coffee) to restore a full sex life.
For psychological reasons, a positive result is achieved by establishing friendly communication between partners/spouses. Using a condom or changing positions can help reduce penile sensitivity and increase the duration of intercourse. But such recommendations are effective only in the absence of physical health problems. The choice of therapy depends on the cause of the pathology and its severity.
Conservative treatment of premature ejaculation
This group includes 3 main areas:
- The use of local ointments, creams with anesthetic (mainly lidocaine). This method is easy to use and helps reduce the sensitivity of the glans penis. It is important to correctly choose the dosage and strictly follow the treatment regimen indicated by the doctor. In case of overdose, the opposite result is possible - numbness of the penis and lack of erection.
- Psychosexual therapy Two behavioral techniques are actively used - "stop-start" and "squeezing technique". They help recognize the sensation of impending ejaculation and delay it. The therapy is also aimed at controlling the level of sexual arousal. The methods are included in the complex therapy of acquired premature ejaculation.
- Medicine intake. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs are used. Prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) also gives good results. Their side effects lead to delayed ejaculation.
If infectious diseases of the urogenital area are detected, a course of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs is prescribed. In addition, vitamin complexes can be prescribed.
Surgical treatment of premature ejaculation
Surgery is a last resort method that is used only when congenital BE is established. To determine the need for surgical intervention, a lidocaine test is required.
- Denervation of the head of the penis is a microsurgical intervention in which the nerves of the penis are corrected.
- Frenulotomy (short frenuloplasty).
- Hyaluronic acid injections.
The main disadvantage of surgical treatment methods is the presence of a recovery period and the possibility of relapse. Currently, SSRIs are considered the optimal and effective method of treatment. It is also important to improve interpersonal relationships and create a comfortable environment.
Ejaculation disorders that are not related to diseases of the internal organs are often temporary and completely reversible. To do this, one only needs to be more attentive to one's own health. For timely detection and treatment of infectious diseases, it is recommended to regularly visit an andrologist or urologist. Sometimes an explanatory conversation with a doctor is enough.
It is important to avoid mental stress, enrich your diet with healthy foods and overcome bad habits. If you cannot cope with psychological discomfort on your own, do not be afraid to seek help from a psychotherapist.
How to maintain potency: advice from a urologist
Is it possible to maintain a fulfilling sex life until old age? What affects potency? How should we eat, what should we do in order to remain a man in the full sense of the word? In what situations do you need medical help? In this article, I will answer questions that concern all men and give specific advice from a urologist to preserve men's health.
Myths and truth about male potency
The topic of potency is overgrown with so many myths that dispelling them would require not an article, but a whole book. But I will still mention some to put an end to them once and for all.
Stormy youth - old age without sex.
If in your youth you had active sex, for example every day and even several times, then by the age of 40-50 the limit of sexual possibilities will be exhausted - is this true?
From a physiological point of view, this statement is absolutely groundless. Nature has ensured that man's reproductive function works until his death. Unlike women, who have a limited number of eggs (conditionally), the production of seminal fluid continues as long as the man is alive.
The number and frequency of sexual contacts in youth in no way affect the viability of a man in old age. Another problem is indiscriminate unprotected contacts and their consequences. Complications of STDs, especially those left untreated or left to chance, are sure to come back to haunt you and it's only a matter of time.
- Can't control ejaculation like before
- He does not experience vivid sensations, the orgasm is erased
If you interrupt intercourse, you will be impotent.
This includes sexual arousal without subsequent release. Some men use this myth to manipulate their partner into having sex every time they are aroused.
Arousal without continuation (ejaculation) is really not very good for men's health, but it is not as critical as many people think. Interrupting intercourse when a man is maximally aroused and ready to ejaculate can lead to prostatitis due to stagnant processes. And only if you interrupt them regularly. Two or three episodes a month are unlikely to affect his health.
Men's health - urology
Of the large number of factors that affect potency, urological diseases are among the "leaders". Especially in men over middle age. The main enemies of potency in this regard are considered prostate adenoma and prostatitis.
Urological problems in men associated with prostate adenoma usually appear after 40-45 years. What brings patients to the doctor for male problems is a weakened bladder or when a man cannot urinate.
An enlarged prostate gland puts pressure on the urethral canal and prevents the complete outflow of urine. Frequent urges, discomfort from the feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied - all this, neither emotionally nor physically, is not conducive to an active sex life. Further - worse. Problems with urination affect the work of the kidneys, and in this state there is no time for carnal pleasures.
Unlike prostate adenoma, prostatitis is not just a disease of age. Young men can get it too. Usually, prostatitis is the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and promiscuous sex. especially sexually transmitted infections. The situation is particularly difficult for them.
Most infections leading to prostatitis are chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, etc. - do not cause acute symptoms for a long time. The disease almost immediately passes into a chronic stage. But there comes a time when the disease is felt through pain, atypical discharge and problems urinating due to an inflamed prostate. One simply cannot think about sex in such a state.
As you already know, there is no direct physiological connection between prostate diseases and erectile dysfunction. But this does not mean that the problem should not be solved, as a result, they prevent a man from leading a normal sex life. Neither prostate adenoma nor prostatitis go away on their own, like a runny nose. It is impossible to restore the sexual health of men without the help of a doctor, if there is one.
Because symptoms in urology often appear when the disease has already become chronic. Its detection at an early stage, when you can cope with simple conservative treatment, is possible only with regular preventive consultations with a urologist and taking urological tests.
Erectile function problems - who to turn to
Let's now talk about what worsens potency in addition to urological diseases and which doctor to contact to restore men's health.
Although there are many reasons for sexual impotence, they are all divided into three types:
- Bio. These include physiological factors - diseases and injuries.
- Psychogenic. In this case, physiology is fine, and impotence is caused by psychological problems - stress, depression, traumatic situation.
- Mixed. When both physiology and psyche are to blame for potency problems.
Among the organic causes of potency problems, cardiovascular diseases are the main ones. Vessels affected by cholesterol plaques or other pathological changes prevent the cavernous bodies of the penis from quickly filling with blood. As a result, the erection occurs slowly. If the corpora cavernosa are not filled with enough blood, the erection is too relaxed for full intercourse. In extreme cases, it is completely absent.
Another common cause is hormonal imbalance. Hormones regulate most processes in the body, including sexual arousal and erection. First of all, testosterone deficiency affects potency. This hormone is generally responsible for male reproductive function. But other endocrine diseases, such as diabetes, can also affect male sexual activity.
Psychogenic erectile dysfunction in its pure form is less common than organic. Sexual impotence is often observed in long-term depression, neuroses and psychological trauma. Much more often, a combination of psychogenic and physiological problems leads to impotence.
Again, I will take as an example a man with prostatitis and premature ejaculation. Let's imagine that he was unable to control his ejaculation and his partner was dissatisfied, for which she blamed her partner. After some time, the situation happened again. In addition, the man does not get much pleasure from sex, which often happens with prostatitis. What thought comes to mind? "Something is wrong with me, I can't have sex normally! "The psychological problem is obvious. Add to that progressive prostatitis and we get impotence.
Which doctor should I contact for potency problems?
Many people think that the main doctor for men's health is the urologist. This is not quite true. A urologist is a specialist who treats the genitourinary system. What diseases does the urologist treat? These are diseases:
- prostate (adenoma, prostatitis, etc. );
- bladder (neoplasms, inflammation);
- kidneys (pyelonephritis, urolithiasis);
- urethra.
With what symptoms and when should I go to a urologist?
- discharge from the urethra;
- difficulty urinating;
- pain in the perineum, scrotum, around the anus, in the lower back;
- impurities in urine or semen.
At the first symptoms, you should consult a doctor. Self-medication is the worst thing that can happen in this situation.
Issues related to men's sexual health are dealt with by another specialist. The main doctor for male potency is an andrologist. It is he who has the necessary knowledge to establish the exact cause of male impotence, prescribe adequate treatment and, if necessary, involve other specialists in the treatment - urologist, psychotherapist, endocrinologist.
Since fertility and urology are closely related, andrologists are usually competent in the treatment of urological diseases and combine work in both specialties.
Useful tips for men's health
I emphasize once again that age is not the cause of impotence. Sexual impotence is caused by physiological and psychological disorders that accumulate more and more every year. This means that you can enjoy a fulfilling sex life even in old age.
I am sure that every man knows how to maintain his intimate health.
- A healthy balanced diet;
- Regular physical activity;
- Moderate alcohol consumption;
- No bad habits;
- Pay attention to your health.
The ability to have sex and reproduce is directly dependent on these simple natural things. But most men consider this trivial, ignore it and suffer the corresponding consequences.
I still recommend that you review your attitude towards your lifestyle and build it, taking into account the following tips:
- Give up smoking. The toxic substances you inhale through cigarette smoke - lead, formaldehyde, arsenic, etc. - destroy blood vessels. Namely, they, being filled with blood, make the penis hard.
- Limit alcohol. It also hits the blood vessels. It also disrupts the work of the liver, which "for revenge" turns the male sex hormone into a female one. You've probably seen what men with low testosterone and high estrogen look like: breasts that women can envy, fat deposits on the waist and hips, hair lossin atypical areas of the female body There are enormous difficulties with libido and erection.
- I do sports. Moderate physical activity prevents fluid stagnation in the vessels, "trains" the vessels and maintains their elasticity.
- At least once a year, undergo preventive examinations by a urologist-andrologist.
Useful for increasing male potency:
- Various spices and seasonings: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, hot pepper, fenugreek. They improve blood circulation, improve immunity, give vitality and increase sensuality.
- Seeds, nuts: pistachios, pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds. They contain a lot of proteins, vitamins and fats.
- All seafood: red fish, oysters. They contain easily digestible protein and other useful substances.
- Dairy products, especially homemade cheeses (paneer, cottage cheese, but in moderation). Rich in protein.
- Fruits: currants, strawberries, avocados, bananas, watermelon, grapes, figs, raisins. This is the prevention of chronic fatigue, which is one of the frequent causes of loss of libido. But don't overdo it so you don't spike your sugar levels. A large amount of sweet is also harmful to potency.
- Greens: – celery, coriander, parsley, dill, tarragon, basil. Improves the quality of sperm and the amount of sex hormones.
TOP-7 products that improve sexual function in men:
- Raw oysters. Rich in selenium and zinc.
- Bitter chocolate. Improves mood and increases testosterone levels.
- Fenugreek. Reduces blood sugar levels, reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
- Ginger, root. It causes blood flow to the penis.
- Pumpkin seeds. They contain a large amount of zinc and are considered the most useful product for the male reproductive system.
- Walnuts. Source of vegetable protein, increases testosterone.
- Red wine in small doses. Strengthens blood vessels.
Useful vitamins for male potency
In addition to vitamins that improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, it is important to know about other supplements that will be useful for reducing potency.
- vitamins A, C, E, D, B3, B6;
- folic acid;
- omega fatty acids;
- selenium;
- zinc;
- iron;
- phosphorus;
- magnesium;
- potassium.
The sources of these useful substances are a balanced, healthy diet and complex vitamin preparations. Synthetic vitamins will help relieve inflammation of the prostate and balance the hormonal balance.
IMPORTANT! The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. In order to make a diagnosis and correctly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor.