Common Sex Problems
Although there is a wide range of sex problems, which may affect each individual differently, generally we are all likely to face similar issues within our gender. Below is a list of some of the most common sex problems in men and women to provide insight into some of the conditions that can be treated with counselling and treatments.
Ejaculation problems:
Ejaculation problems are very common and men will typically experience one of three types of disorder:
- 1. Premature ejaculation- Where a man ejaculates too quickly during sexual intercourse. The average time of ejaculation is considered five minutes so regularly ejaculating before or within one minute of penetration is regarded as premature.
- 2. Retarded/delayed ejaculation- A delay in achieving ejaculation, or where a man is completely unable to ejaculate during sexual activity. Also known as male orgasmic disorder.
- 3. Retrograde ejaculation- The least common of the three, this condition is where the sperm travels backwards and enters the bladder instead of passing through the urethra and head of the penis. Orgasm is still experienced but there will be no, or little semen.
As with the female sex problems, male sexual dysfunction such as premature ejaculation is linked to psychological and/or physical factors. These include stress and previous sexual trauma as well as medical conditions such as diabetes.
Erectile dysfunction:
Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to get and maintain an erection that is satisfactory for sexual intercourse. This is quite common and is linked to hormonal problems and the narrowing of blood vessels inside of the penis due to high blood pressure. Stress, anxiety and mental health issues are further causes of erectile dysfunction, along with sexual boredom and constant worrying about pleasing a partner. Unfortunately, for many men, even when the initial cause of an erection problem has passed, the anxiety of repeated failure may block future erections.
Ejaculatory dysfunction:
Ejaculatory dysfunction occurs when a man has a problem properly ejaculating his semen, either ejaculating too soon, too late, back into his own bladder or not at all. These situations can result in poor sexual satisfaction by the man and his partner, ineffective reproduction and emotional trauma. Ejaculation disorders, also called aspermia, can be caused by a problem at birth (primary) or by acquired dysfunctions (secondary) after birth (often much later in life), such as disease, injury and adverse drug reactions. The four types of ejaculation dysfunction are premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation and anejaculation. Normal ejaculation involves an emission step, when semen is positioned in the penis near the prostate, and an ejaculation step, when the semen is forcefully expulsed from the penis. Ejaculation occurs at sexual climax, or the expulsion of the sperm. Climax is different from an orgasm, which is centered in the brain and associated with ejaculation.
Gender Identity Disorder:
The gender identity disorders (GID) are defined as disorders in which an individual exhibits marked and persistent identification with the opposite sex and persistent discomfort (dysphoria) with his or her own sex or sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex.
Sexual Orientation Disorder:
Ego-dystonic sexual orientation is an ego-dystonic mental disorder characterized by having a sexual orientation or an attraction that is at odds with one's idealized self-image, causing anxiety and a desire to change one's orientation or become more comfortable with one's sexual orientation.
Small Penis Complaint (Koro Syndrome):
The koro syndrome is a psychiatric disorder characterized by acute anxiety and a deep-seated fear of shrinkage of the penis and its ultimate retraction into the abdomen, which will cause death.
STD:
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — are generally acquired by sexual contact. The organisms (bacteria, viruses or parasites) that cause sexually transmitted diseases may pass from person to person in blood, semen, or vaginal and other bodily fluids.