Highlights
- Men’s sexual health covers the physical and psychological aspects of male sexuality.
- The internet is full of misleading information about masturbation and sexually transmitted infections.
- Common sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, can happen to men at any age.
- Regular sexual health check-ups will help you catch health issues early.
Is there a gynecologist for men? Is masturbation bad for you? When it comes to men’s sexual health, it’s not easy to separate fact from fiction. Don’t believe everything you read online or hear from your friends. Our expert guide has the facts about men’s sexual wellness.
What’s Sexual Health?
Sexual health covers all aspects of your physical and psychological functioning that have to do with sexuality. Good sexual health means that your genitals are healthy and free of infections and pain. In addition, your stress levels and mental health play a big role in desire and your ability to experience orgasms.
If you’re in good sexual health, you’re able to have pleasurable sexual experiences — both solo and with a partner or partners. If something isn’t right, you may experience sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction or low libido.
Taking care of sexual health helps you enjoy intimacy until old age
Common Myths About Male Sexual Health
Unless you’re one of the lucky few who received comprehensive sex education in school, you probably learned about sex from your friends, porn, and the internet. Unfortunately a lot of that information is false or misleading.
Let’s separate myths from facts about men’s sexual wellness.
Low Testosterone Means You’re a Bad Lover
Testosterone is known as the masculinity hormone. There’s no doubt that testosterone plays an important role in male sexuality, but it’s not the only thing that makes a man a good lover.
Testosterone can help you look good as it contributes to muscle mass, but it won’t give you the skills to pleasure your partner. Sexual prowess is about much more than appearance or stamina. If you truly want to make a partner happy, the art of intimate communication is what you should be looking to improve.
Testosterone contributes to muscle mass but not to your sexual skills
Erectile Dysfunction Is an Older Man’s Problem
You probably saw the internet jokes about gray-haired grandpas popping Viagra pills in the evening. But erectile dysfunction is not a condition reserved for pensioners. Yes, the odds of getting ED increase with age but even men in their sexual prime can have difficulty getting and maintaining an erection.
In younger men, the cause is often psychological — a man may feel anxious about his bedroom performance. Moreover, taking certain medications or having another health issue, such as diabetes, may cause ED symptoms.
Premature Ejaculation Only Affects Young Men
On the other side of the coin lies premature ejaculation (PE). Men often believe that once they are out of their teenage, hormone-filled years, this sexual issue is no longer a problem.
The truth is, while some men suffer from lifelong PE, others develop it later in life. Medical treatments, certain physical conditions, mental health concerns, or plain old stress can be the culprits.
Masturbation Causes Sexual Dysfunction
The internet is full of advice on how men can quit masturbation to improve their sexual functioning. The truth is that solo sex is rarely a problem and if it is, it’s a psychological issue, such as guilt due to religious beliefs.
There are some men for whom masturbation becomes a compulsion. They may need therapy to get back to balanced sexuality. For the majority, however, regular self-pleasuring sessions can be beneficial.
Here’s why:
- Frequent ejaculation may reduce prostate cancer risk.
- Masturbation exercises your pelvic floor muscles, which lowers the risk of incontinence.
- Mindful masturbation can help you prolong intercourse and manage premature ejaculation.
- Regular orgasms have a positive effect on your mood and libido.
Men Don’t Need Sexual Health Checkups
Women go to the gynecologist, but what about men? Since people born with male genitals don’t menstruate or get pregnant, they are not used to getting regular sexual health checkups.
But there is a specialist who works with the male reproductive system: a urologist. It’s a good idea for men to get a urological checkup once in a while. Your doctor will assess the risk of genital cancers, for example, cancer of the prostate or testicles, and order more tests if needed. He or she may also instruct you on how to do a genital self-exam.
If you have sexual contact with other people, you should also see your primary care provider at least once a year to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — especially if you’re not in an exclusive relationship. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to serious problems, including cancer, HIV, and infertility.
Take Care of Your Sexual Well-Being
If you want to be good in bed and enjoy sex until old age, make your sexual health a priority. With regular checkups, you can catch and treat any health concerns early and prevent sexual problems in the future.
Ensuring that you’re free from infections is also a sign of care for your partner. Women, in particular, are at a big risk when it comes to genital and urinary tract infections. You may not have any symptoms, but you may still pass an infection to her. To make things worse, she can experience serious complications, such as difficulty getting pregnant.
Don’t forget that sexual health is not just about your body. Don’t underestimate mental health problems, such as chronic stress, anxiety, or depression. Find time to relax and rest — it will give you the energy you need to have fun in the bedroom.
Sexual Health Treatments Delivered to Your Door
Sometimes you need medical support to get your sexual health back on track. We can help with a free telemedicine consultation with a U.S.-licensed physician.
The doctor will determine if you need a treatment for sexual health concerns and issue a prescription if necessary. Consultations are private, and when you shop with eDrugstore, shipping is always free.
Anka Grzywacz is a sexologist, reproductive health expert and Certified Sex Coach™. In her online practice she helps busy women and couples solve their intimate problems.