Mens sexual Health

Mens sexual Health

More than half of Chinese men older than 40 experience some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to a 6-month survey, and most are embarrassed to visit make an appointment with their doctors. However, ignoring the symptoms and delaying therapy makes the problem more difficult to treat.

In the country's first authoritative and systematic survey of men's sexual health, researchers surveyed 1,000 people in major Chinese cities.

They found that 52.5 percent of 40-plus-year-old men live with some form of erectile dysfunction (ED). Nine out of 10 of those men reported their sex lives were heavily impacted by it. Researchers added that 90 percent of men did not seek help because they felt shy and humiliated or were worried about confidentiality.

Results indicate that, nationwide, the average man sought medical attention 22 months after the first sign of a problem -- compared to Western countries, where men wait an average of only six months. In metropolitan areas, men held off even longer before opting for treatment. In Beijing, the average delay is 34.3 months, or nearly three years. Shanghai men tend to wait about 30 months before making an appointment.

Scientists are concerned because early stages of ED are the easiest to treat. Waiting just causes more serious problems.

A second survey in Asia found that men who spend most of the day sitting down at work and those with high-stress positions are less likely to perform well at home.

Like the Chinese study, researchers found that few men were willing to admit early on that they had a problem. However, professionals, like accountants and bankers, were the first to consult a doctor about impotency issues. Men who drive cabs and buses, as well as those in financial occupations, are also considered high risk. Men with jobs that combine stress and little or no activity have the odds doubly stacked against them. According to the report, blue-collar workers often are both more active and less likely to report a problem.

Researchers from the first survey identified another issue involving whether men sought treatment. Some believed impotence could not be cured, but experts assured patients that they could enjoy healthy sex lives after appropriate treatment.

Experts defined ED, erectile dysfunction, as "the persistent or recurrent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient to complete satisfactory intercourse or any other chosen sexual activity." It does not mean a man is infertile, can't ejaculate or can't orgasm. One expert said it's a common myth that men with ED lack virility -- this is simply not true.

In fact experts said some of men's fears of admitting to ED stem from the past, in a time when it was never discussed or even mentioned. ED was once believed to be purely a psychological problem, but research has proven most cases occur due to vascular disorders, which causes reduced circulation to the penis. Physical ED has a gradual onset, with penis hardness decreasing over time. Psychological ED has a sudden onset and erections can be achieved under some circumstances.

In China, experts said 80 percent of ED cases are classified as physical, while the remaining 20 percent stem from psychological problems, such as stress, anxiety or depression.

Yahoo News August 31, 2004

Mentalhelp.net August 29, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Don't you just love how drug companies make up euphemisms for socially unacceptable terms? Rather than call the problem impotence they give it the new term "ED" which makes it "acceptable" so they can sell more drugs.

Well I have a suggestion. Let's abandon the term erectile dysfunction and replace the meaning of ED with Exercise Defiency. Without question it is one of the single most common problems in this country and a major reason why 2/3 of the US is seriously overweight as they have built up a massive exercise debt. But it is unlikely that I will be able to facilitate such a massive social change at this tiime, so lets get back to the topic.

The last approach is closest to the course of action I recommend. Anyone who reads this newsletter with any regularity knows that I do not think medication is ever the answer. There are many things that we don't know about prescription drugs.

Pills like Viagra, Levitra and Enzyte have been linked to several health issues. In addition to Viagra causing blue/green color blindness, headaches and flushing, it has been identified as a potential risk factor for:

Heart Disease Stroke Infertility There are several inexpensive, safe and healthy alternatives, none of which include taking a drug. Keep these things in mind:

Sexual arousal occurs not just in the genitals, but also in the whole body and especially in the brain. For men, it actually begins when the brain sends impulses down the spinal cord and out to the nerves that serve the penis. These impulses trigger the production of nitric oxide. The neurotransmitter that causes the sexual message, in men and women, is acetlycholine (ACH). With too little ACH, sexual activity goes down. One way to safely and effectively enhance ACH levels in the body is to take supplements of choline (1,000 to 3,000 mg) and vitamin B5 (500 to 1,500 mg). A good source of both is Living Fuel Rx.

Start exercising! Studies have proven that active men who engage in regular physical activity lowered their risk of experiencing ED.

www.mercola.com

www.man-s-health.co.uk

About the Author

Chris Shipley