ABC of sexual health: Assessing and managing male sexual problems

Background: Sexual problems are common. Many patients with sexual health dysfunction use self-help literature or are often managed in general practice. However, many general practitioners (GPs) find it difficult to discuss sexual health issues because they feel uncomfortable with this and lack training in these matters. These GPs are now referring patients with sexual dysfunction to specialists.Aim: We sought to explore how GPs working in the Mabopane and Ga-Rankuwa areas of handle sexual problems of their patients.Setting: The setting was the Mabopane and Ga-Rankuwa areas of North-West Tshwane, in Gauteng Province.Methods: A qualitative study comprising eight free attitude interviews with purposefully selected four male and four female GPs. All interviews were conducted in English and tape-recorded. Field notes in the form of a detailed diary was kept. The tapes were transcribed verbatim, and the transcriptions were checked against the tapes for omissions and inaccuracies.Results: Six themes emerged from the interviews: causes of sexual problems; presentation of sexual problems to the doctor; management of sexual health problems; sex is a taboo topic; society’s need for sexual health discussions, and these discussions have already begun; previous limited exposure and training, and a need for more sexual health training.Conclusion: This study confirms earlier findings that patients could be either reluctant to discuss their problems or are open about them when presenting to doctors with sexual dysfunction. GPs were not exposed to sexual health training at medical school and, because of this shortcoming, felt that training in sexual medicine should be part of the curriculum.

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Sexual problems in two inner city London sexual health centres: prevalence, attributions and need for psychosexual services

Sexual & Relationship Therapy ◽

10.1080/14681990903242278 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (3-4) ◽

pp. 249-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Laura Shepherd ◽

Sarah Heke ◽

Amanda O'Donovan

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Inner City ◽

Sexual Problems ◽

Health Centres

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Health Care Going Online: Help Seeking Behavior by Patients for Sexual Problems—Analysis of Online Queries on Sexual Health

Journal of Psychosexual Health ◽

10.1177/2631831818824171 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 78-83

Author(s):

Sandip Deshpande ◽

Jaya Aiyappa ◽

Sadhana Mishra ◽

Seema Naik ◽

Samiksha Jain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mobile Internet ◽

Sexual Problems ◽

Internet Technology ◽

Care Seeking ◽

Online Help ◽

Objective Health

Background and Objective: Health care industry is going through a renaissance with the advances in mobile Internet technology. Health care seeking has become easier for people and there are multiple providers offering online consultations and counselling. Sexual medicine is still an unrecognized specialty in India. People suffering from sexual health problems and dysfunctions have a lot of stigma approaching health care professionals. With the coming in of Internet-based services, people are finding it easier to seek help online anonymously. As an industry this is likely to continue to grow and offer opportunities to people in distress to seek help. Methodology: In the present study, we have done a retrospective analysis of 500 queries that were posted privately to the principal author. Results focused on the demographic details, the nature of the problem and an analysis of the content of the queries. The study discusses how the findings may be used to better understand the perceptions, concerns, and stated needs of people accessing online portals for sexual problems. This should also help equip counsellors interested in this field. Results: The study clearly brought out the gender differences among those accessing online health care portals for sexual issues. A majority of the queries were from men asking about issues related to size and curvature of penis, masturbation, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction. Many of these queries stemmed from the lack of correct scientific knowledge which led to health anxieties including frustration, depression, and low self-esteem.

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ABC of sexual health: Male sexual problems

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.318.7178.245 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 318 (7178) ◽

pp. 245-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. Gregoire

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Sexual Problems

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Female Sexual Disorders: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s109285291200017x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 49-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sheryl A. Kingsberg ◽

Gail Knudson

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Sexual Problems ◽

Sexual Disorders ◽

Medical Conditions ◽

Arousal Disorder ◽

Female Orgasmic Disorder ◽

Sexual Aversion ◽

Orgasmic Disorder ◽

Female Sexual Disorders

AbstractSexual health is important to overall health and quality of life. Sexual problems have been associated with relationship problems and may interfere with overall health and they may also be a marker for other undiagnosed comorbid medical conditions. In order for healthcare professionals to manage the sexual health concerns of their patients, it is important for them to understand what constitutes good sexual health. To that end, it is necessary to have a working knowledge of the evolving theoretical models offered to describe a healthy sexual response as well as an understanding of the neurobiology of sexual function. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Revised lists six primary female sexual disorders: hypoactive sexual desire disorder, sexual aversion disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, female orgasmic disorder,dyspareunia, and vaginismus. Despite a growing awareness of the high prevalence of sexual disorders they are not typically identified nor treated. There are a number of reasons why clinicians fail to identify and treat sexual problems including insufficient training in sexual medicine and communication skills, time-constraints, and embarrassment. Treatment for female sexual problems is usually individualized and may include a combination of office-based education and basic counseling, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and treatment of concomitant medical conditions.

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ABC of sexual health: Sexual problems of disabled patients

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.318.7182.518 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 318 (7182) ◽

pp. 518-521 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

C. Glass ◽

B. Soni

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Sexual Problems ◽

Disabled Patients

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Healing Sexual Problems in the Ayurvedic Tradition of India (DRAFT)

10.1093/med/9780190225889.003.0017 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Keesha Ewers

Keyword(s):

Erectile Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Traditional Medicine ◽

Sexual Activity ◽

Premature Ejaculation ◽

Sexual Problems ◽

Vaginal Dryness ◽

Life Force

This chapter summarizes the essential principles and approach of India’s traditional medicine, Ayurveda, to healing sexual problems. In Ayurveda there is no one-size-fits-all solution; rather, it defines constitutional types (doshas) according to the balance of elements and gives guidelines for sexual activity for each dosha. Health is said to begin with digestion, and Ayurveda offers a nuanced theory of how digestion may create either toxins (ama) or life force (ojas). Ojas is the basis of cellular reproduction, vitality, and sexual health. This chapter also offers gender- and dosha-specific herbal prescriptions for treating such sexual problems as low libido, premature ejaculation, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction, and anorgasmia.

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Integrative Sexual Health

10.1093/med/9780190225889.001.0001 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrew Weil

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Integrative Medicine ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Research Literature ◽

Sexual Problems ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Medical Illness ◽

Medical Specialties ◽

Clinical Specialist

Integrative Sexual Health explores beyond the standard topics in men’s and women’s health, drawing on a very rich and diverse research literature. Books on sexuality typically are for the clinical specialist and cite only focally relevant research, or are geared to lay knowledge and cite almost no research. Integrative Sexual Health provides an overview of sexual biology and sexual dysfunction, diverse lifespan, lifestyle, and environmental impacts on sexual function, applies complementary and integrative medicine solutions to sexual problems, and offers traditional Eastern and Western treatment approaches to resolving sexual difficulties. Written by diverse integratively trained experts in sexuality, psychology, psychiatry, and other medical specialties. Integrative Sexual Health includes clinical vignettes, detailed treatment strategies for mitigating the side effects of medications, and sexual dysfunction associated with medical illness and poor lifestyle habits, as well as citing extensive research and further resources. Integrative treatment modalities not typically consulted in mainstream sexual medicine, such as traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, aromatherapy, and botanical medicine are presented with the best available evidence, in a clinically relevant manner. This volume in the Weil Integrative Medicine Library will be valuable to the specialist and non-specialist alike, who seek to understand and treat sexual problems using an integrative medicine approach, and acquire tools to help patients maintain lifetime optimal general health and vitality that supports healthy sexuality.

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