Men’s Sexual Dysfunction
Are you feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable about your sexuality issues?
Do you seldom experience an orgasm with your partner?
Do you find it challenging to talk to anyone about this issue?
Are you recovering from prostate cancer and anxious about being sexually intimate with your partner?
Are you experiencing difficulty having an erection with your partner?
When having sexual intercourse with your partner, do you often ejaculate promptly?
Are you experiencing anxiety about sexual performance issues?
Sexuality is an integral part of a man’s life and a significant factor in his relationship. Our American culture and socialization around masculinity and sexuality causes complex issues for men. Although these are common sexuality issues among men, these challenges of performance issues, erectile dysfunction, and premature Ejaculation can produce feelings of not good enough, embarrassment, shame, low self-confidence, and insecurities.
Whether you are single or in a relationship, as a man, you may feel the sting of our culture and society’s messages through films, advertisements, and social media that sex should come naturally, happen spontaneously, be in control, and pleasurable. When problems and issues arise, you may feel incompetent, inadequate, or even question your self-worth as a man
As a sex therapist, I implement empirical research studies and interventions with specific techniques for men experiencing these concerns and provide compassion, hope, and healing and improve the satisfaction in your intimacy and sexuality.
Types of Men’s Sexual Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction – difficulty achieving or/and maintaining an erection
Premature Ejaculation – achieving an orgasm quickly
Delayed/Inhibited Ejaculation- achieving orgasm slowly or not at all
Low Desire – lack of interest in sexuality and intimacy
Symptoms
Low interest in sexual desire
Inability to have an erection
Ability to achieve orgasm only during masturbation
Lack of sexual fantasies
Inability to maintain an erection for sexual penetration
Inability to reach an orgasm
Ability to achieve orgasm only after a lengthy stimulation
Ability to achieve orgasm only during oral sex
Physical Factors
Stress
Alcoholism
Depression
Fatigue
Obesity
Smoking
Diabetes
Prostate Cancer
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Cardiovascular disease
Hyperthyroidism
Recreational drugs
Relationship problems
Testosterone deficiency
Hypoactive Sexual Disorder
Medications – SSRIs, blood pressure, opioid analgesics
Psychological & Social Factors
Sexual performance anxiety
Relationship conflict
Depression
Mental health issues
Past sexual trauma
Low self-confidence
Life/Work balance
Disconnection from partner
How can Sex Therapy help?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for sexual dysfunction for achieving treatment objectives and goals. I provide an inclusive, compassionate, supportive, non-judgmental, safe space and precise psychoeducation about female sexuality. I actively listen to your needs, wants, and desires about your personal beliefs, values, interpersonal relationships, and goals.
I develop a comprehensive individualized treatment plan and collaborate with primary care physicians and urologists. We identify distortions in cognitive thinking, provide evidence for and against these thoughts, observe your emotions and where you are feeling it in your body. We work together to change difficult, complicated feelings, thoughts, and maladaptive behaviors that interfere with experiencing healthy pleasure in your sexuality.
Mindfulness and meditation are incredible tools for learning to stay in the present and present moment by effectively increasing your relaxation ability and decreasing anxiety and fears about Desire, sexuality, and performance issues. Consequently, you may begin to question your love for your partner and your ability to maintain the relationship.
References
American Urological Association. Erectile Dysfunction.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Journal of the American Medical Association. Male Sexual Dysfunction.
Lue, T.f. , Chapter 39. (2013). Male Sexual Dysfunction. In: McAninch JW, Lue TF. eds. Smith and Tanagho’s General Urology, 18e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Merck Manual Consumer Version. Overview of Sexual Dysfunction in Men.
WebMD Medical Reference: “Your Guide to Sexual Health.”
