What is orgasmic anhedoniapleasure dissociative orgasmic dysfunction?
What is orgasmic anhedoniapleasure dissociative orgasmic dysfunction?
Tag: sexual health
Does long term anabolic androgenic steroid use lead to heart problems?
Does long term anabolic androgenic steroid use lead to heart problems?
THE USE (abuse) of anabolicandrogenic steroids (AAS), such as synthetic testosterone and other androgens, has increased markedly in recent years.
The majority of AAS users do so to ‘improve’ physical appearance and body building rather than competitive sport.
Many users become dependent on these drugs. The side-effects of AAS abuse include acne, weight gain, mood changes (especially aggressive behaviour), decreased testes size and low sperm counts leading to infertility.
There is some evidence that longer term effects include prostate cancer and heart disease but good quality studies are lacking.
A recent American study1 from the journal Circulation assessed three different measures of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in weight-lifters aged 34 to 54 who had used AAS for at least two years compared to those who had not used AAS.
This cross-sectional study showed that users of AAS had significantly worse outcomes on the three CVD measures, although one measure was normal in those who had previously used AAS but were not using at the time of the study, suggesting some recovery after stopping the AAS.
However, the other two measures indicated long-term damage to heart function and atherosclerosis (build-up of plaques leading to clogging of the artery connected to the heart). Although this study had some limitations it adds to the evidence that there are serious health implications for men who do not have testosterone deficiency but are using steroids for other purposes.
The risks may be difficult to quantify as the drugs available from suppliers at the local gym or on the internet are not regulated.
They may contain unknown substances, have varying concentrations or may contain hormones mixed with other drugs or dietary supplements (mixing drugs can be dangerous as they may interact with each other).
Sexual Health, Birth Control and Condoms
Sexual Health, Birth Control and Condoms
Sexual Health, Birth Control, and Condoms
What Causes Condoms to Come Off During Sex?
A condom may come off during sex because:
- It's too large.Try a snug condom.
- Loss of erection.Remove your penis, holding on to the rolled edge of the condom, as soon as you begin to lose your erection.
Where Can I Get Male Condoms?
Condoms can be purchased at most drug stores. Condoms also are sold in some vending machines in public restrooms.
How Effective Are Male Condoms for Birth Control?
Condoms are about 82% effective for birth control. With careful use, they are even more effective. Keep in mind that the best way to avoid getting pregnant is to not have sex (abstinence).
How Do Male Condoms Prevent STDs?
Latex condoms provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases by preventing the infected area from coming into contact with the partner. Polyurethane condoms provide some protection, although not as much as latex. Natural or lambskin condoms do not protect against STDs because they have larger holes or "pores" that allow the small particles that can cause some STDs to pass through. Many STDs -- including HSV, which causes herpes, and HPV or the human papillomavirus, which is the most common sexually transmitted infection -- can be transmitted from areas not covered by a condom.
Should Foam be Used With Male Condoms?
Contraceptive foam can offer added protection against pregnancy in case a condom breaks. Use of spermicides can irritate the genital tissues and may increase the risk of STDs, including HIV/AIDS.
How Effective Are Foam and Male Condoms?
When used together and properly, foam and condoms are about 97% effective in preventing pregnancy.
What Is a Female Condom?
The female condom is a lubricated polyurethane (plastic) tube that has a flexible ring at each end. One end of the tube is closed.
How Is the Female Condom Used?
Before sexual activity begins, the woman inserts the condom into her vagina so that the closed end of the tube covers the cervix, and the other end slightly covers the labia (lips on the outside of the vagina). The condom blocks sperm from entering the womb. Female condoms should be discarded after one use.
Painful Orgasm
What causes painful orgasm in men, and how can it be treated?
Painful orgasm (painful ejaculation) is commonly described as a pain or burning sensation that happens when a man ejaculates. He may feel pain between his anus and genitals or in his testes. He may also feel it in the urethra, the tube that semen passes through. Pain may be mild or severe.
A man may become so frustrated by this pain that he starts to avoid sex. His relationship with his partner may suffer as a result. Many men with painful ejaculation experience depression and anxiety.
Painful orgasm can have a number of causes:
Inflammation and Infections
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Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland, which is involved with semen production
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Orchitis - inflammation of one of both testes, the glands that make sperm
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Urethritis - inflammation of urethra, the tube that semen passes through when a man ejaculates.
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Sexually-transmitted infections – such as trichomoniasis
Pelvic Conditions and Treatments
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Prostate cancer
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Pelvic radiation
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Lower pelvic surgery– such as radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate)
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Nerve damage in the penis– such as from an injury or complications of diabetes.
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Chronic pain in the pelvis
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Blockages in the ejaculatory system- from cysts or stones
Some antidepressants, spermicides, and contraceptive creams have also been linked to painful ejaculation.
Sometimes, the cause of painful ejaculation is more difficult to pinpoint. Psychological problems can play a role, especially if a man has pain only with a partner, not when he masturbates.
To treat painful orgasm, a doctor must first determine the cause. Usually this involves a thorough medical exam. Sometimes, samples of urine or semen are analyzed.
Medications may help if there is inflammation of the testicles, prostate or urethra. Men who have sexually-transmitted infections are usually given antibiotics.
If painful ejaculation is a side effect of medication, it may help to lower the dose (with a doctor’s guidance) or change the medication type.
Men who have painful ejaculation due to nerve damage often find that the situation gets better as the nerve heals. This may take up to two years.
Counseling or sex therapy can be helpful if the problem is psychological.
What is a penile rehabilitation program (PRP)?
What is a penile rehabilitation program (PRP)?
The prostate gland is surrounded by nerves that are critical for a man’s ability to have an erection.
When a man has prostate cancer, he may have a procedure called a prostatectomy, which involves removing the prostate gland. During a prostatectomy, a surgeon tries to preserve the surrounding nerves as much as possible. However, many men still have problems with erections after surgery.
Penile rehabilitation programs (PRPs) are like a form of physical therapy. For example, if a man has knee surgery, he may go to physical therapy and do exercises to strengthen his knee and get it back into good condition. If he doesn’t do his exercises, his knee may get weaker.
PRPs work in a similar way. They can help men recover their erectile function by inducing erections to “exercise” the penis. This process keeps erectile tissue healthy while the remaining nerves heal from surgery. The erections may be induced through oral medication, injections into the penis, penile suppositories, or vacuum devices. Some men are advised to masturbate on a regular basis.
Through penile rehabilitation, it is hoped that the patient will eventually have satisfactory erections on his own or will respond well to oral medications for erectile dysfunction.
It should be noted that some experts do not think penile rehabilitation is a worthwhile strategy.
Penile rehabilitation can take time – sometimes up to four years. With patience and dedication, however, many men are able to again have erections suitable for sex.
What does a penile rehabilitation program (PRP) involve?
Penile rehabilitation programs vary from clinic to clinic and patient to patient, but some of the more common strategies include the following:
Oral medications. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, such as Viagra®, Levitra®, and Cialis®, improve blood flow to the penis and help keep erectile tissue healthy.
Penile Injections. The patient is trained to inject medication into his penis to prompt an erection.
Suppositories (MUSE). Pellets of medicine are inserted into the urethra, the tube that allows urine and semen to exit the body.
Vacuum erection devices. A clear plastic cylinder is placed over the penis. The man then uses a pump to draw out the air, creating a vacuum. This leads to an erection.
How successful are penile rehabilitation programs (PRPs)?
Penile rehabilitation programs (PRPs) can help men restore their ability to have erections after prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland). However, several factors affect the success rate of PRPs:
The man must consider how well he was able to have erections before surgery. Men who had good erectile function beforehand can often recover that good function after penile rehabilitation. Men who had poor function may not be as successful.
The man needs to be compliant with the program, following his doctor’s instructions. Men who stick with the program diligently tend to have greater success than men who are not as dedicated.
Nerve-sparing also plays a role in recovery. The prostate gland is surrounded by nerves that are important for erectile function. Surgeons try to preserve as many nerves as possible, but usually there is some degree of nerve damage. The success of penile rehabilitation may depend on how much nerve damage results from surgery.
Other factors to consider are age, weight, smoking status, and any medical conditions like diabetes. Having additional treatments for prostate cancer, such as radiation and/or hormonal therapy, can also affect the outcome of penile rehabilitation.
Should men with an enlarged prostate avoid certain medications?
Should men with an enlarged prostate avoid certain medications ?
Men with an enlarged prostate should not take medications that contain antihistamines or decongestants. These agents are often found in over-the-counter cold, sinus, and allergy medications.
To understand why, it helps to review some prostate anatomy. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that produces seminal fluid. This fluid mixes with sperm to form ejaculate – the semen that is expelled from the penis when a man reaches orgasm.
Running through the prostate is the urethra – the tube from which urine and semen exit the body.
As men get older, it’s common for the prostate gland to grow inward. This results in an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Scientists aren’t sure why this happens. In some cases, the prostate itself does not enlarge, but it undergoes changes which make it more sensitive to chemicals that your body naturally produces.
The prostate may also undergo other changes which may slow down the flow of urine or increase urinary symptoms such as frequency and urgency.
Because of these changes, many men experience trouble emptying the bladder, find that they have to use the bathroom more often (especially at night), or feel a greater urge to urinate.
Antihistamines and decongestants may add to the problem. These drugs can make it harder for the prostate and the bladder to relax, making it even more difficult for urine to flow.
Fortunately, there are other ways to treat colds and allergies. Men with BPH should talk to their doctors about the treatments that are right for them.
Should men stop taking erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs before having surgery?
Should men stop taking erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs before having surgery?
Yes. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists recommends that men avoid taking erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs like Viagra and Cialis for a full 24 hours before surgery.
When patients receive anesthesia, they are often given drugs to control high blood pressure that might occur during surgery. Such drugs contain a substance called nitric oxide.
ED drugs also contain nitric oxide, which helps men achieve erections by relaxing muscles and widening arteries so that more blood can flow into the penis and make it firm for intercourse. These medications usually take 24 hours to leave the body.
Combining ED drugs with anesthesia can lessen the effects of the blood pressure drugs. It can also lead to poor circulation to the kidneys, heart failure, and other side effects.
Men should be up front with their doctors about any medications they use, including complementary and alternative medicines, like dietary supplements, ginseng, and ginger. It’s important for anesthesiologists – or any doctor - to know exactly what a patient is taking so that dangerous drug interactions can be avoided.
Vit D and Erection
Do vitamin D levels have any impact on a man’s erections?
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for our overall health. And some experts believe vitamin D deficiency might interfere with a man’s erections.
Sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D helps the body process calcium to strengthen bones. It’s also important for nerves, muscles, and the immune system.
The body makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D can also be found in certain foods, such as fish and fortified cereals. Some people also take vitamin D supplements.
In 2016, the journal Atherosclerosis published a study by American researchers examining the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and erectile dysfunction (ED). The research team collected data from 3,390 men between the ages of 20 and 85. The men were considered to have vitamin D deficiency if their levels were below 20 ng/mL. Almost a quarter of the men had ED.
The scientists determined that the prevalence rates of vitamin D deficiency were 36% for men with ED and 29% for men without ED. Men with ED tended to be older, less active, and in poorer health.
It was unclear why vitamin D deficiency was linked to ED in this way. It’s possible that low levels of vitamin D could lead to damage in the blood vessels of the penis. Such damage could lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which would make it more difficult for blood to flow into the penis for an erection.
Another theory involves nitric oxide, an important element for erections. Vitamin D helps the body make this compound, but if a man is deficient, less nitric oxide can be produced.
More research is needed to determine if increasing vitamin D levels would improve erections for men with ED. In the meantime, men with erection problems are encouraged to see their doctor. Many factors can contribute to ED, and a full checkup can determine the cause and, in turn, the appropriate treatment.
What is postcoital dysphoria (“post-sex blues”)?
What is postcoital dysphoria (“post-sex blues”)?
Sometimes, people feel deep sadness or agitation after consensual sex. The medical term for these feelings is postcoital dysphoria (PCD), but some call it the “post-sex blues.”
In some cases, people become tearful or depressed after orgasm. In others, they become argumentative with their partner. These feelings occur even if the sexual encounter has been satisfying and enjoyable.
Not much is known about PCD, but research published in the journal Sexual Medicine in 2015 has revealed how common it is among women.
Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia asked 230 female university students to participate in a survey about their experiences with PCD. The women ranged in age from 18 to 55 with an average age of 26 years.
Forty-six percent of the women said they’d experienced PCD in the past. About 5% said they’d had symptoms over the past month. And about 2% reported having PCD “always” or “most of the time.”
However, PCD was not linked to intimacy in close relationships, the researchers reported.
Experts aren’t sure why PCD happens. It may be that the bonding with a partner during sex is so intense that breaking the bond triggers sadness. Childhood sexual abuse may play a role as well.
The QUT researchers noted that their findings may not apply to other groups, as their participants were heterosexual, mostly Caucasian, and university students.
Additional studies with larger, more diverse groups may provide more clues. It is also uncertain to what extent postcoital dysphoria affects men.
People who are concerned about the post-sex blues are encouraged to talk to their doctor or a sex therapist.
Soft Drinks & ED
Soft Drinks
Can consuming soft drinks lead to erectile dysfunction (ED)?
It’s possible. Soft drinks, which include sweetened carbonated beverages like soda, are usually high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and calories. Consuming too much of these ingredients can contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome, which can then lead to erectile dysfunction (ED).
Metabolic syndrome is actually a group of conditions that include obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. Many people with metabolic syndrome eventually develop diabetes.
In 2015, research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men with metabolic syndrome are 2.6 times more likely to have ED compared to healthy men. And in 2010, a study in the British Medical Journal reported that obese men were two and a half times more likely to have ED than men who were not obese.
In addition, men with diabetes are about four times more likely to develop ED compared to non-diabetic men. They are more likely to start having erection problems at earlier ages, too.
There are many ways the components of metabolic syndrome can lead to ED.