When it comes to health, prevention is considered one of the best practices to stay ahead of any health issues. For most of us, this means going to our doctor once a year for an annual checkup. These annual visits can help you feel safer, catch certain conditions before they become troublesome, and even provide educate on their bodies. While it's commonly accepted to go to your primary doctor for an overall health checkup, the same is true for sexual health. However, many men hesitate or deprioritize discussing sexual health with their doctors. Even though studies show that over 30% of the male population experience regular sexual health issues, such as erectile dysfunction (ED).
If this is you, we're here to tell you that:
- Doctors know the science of handling sexual problems.
- Your physician has heard it all. Nothing about your sexual health (or lack thereof) will surprise them.
- Common sexual problems are potentially treatable.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be reversible.
So, if you've been dragging your feet on scheduling an appointment with your doctor, to take your male sexual health inventory - don't delay.
What is the Sexual Health Inventory (SHIM)?
The acronym for a sexual health check-up is SHIM. The Industrial and Community Health Research Centre, Keele University School of Postgraduate Medicine, Hartshill, and Stoke-on-Trent, England, joined together to provide an estimate of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the general population of the UK. Physicians sent an anonymous questionnaire for a random sample of the general adult population. The sexual health survey for men included variations of these questions:
- How confident are you of getting and keeping an erection?
- How often were your erections hard enough to penetrate your partner?
- After penetration, how long were you able to maintain your erection?
- How difficult was it to maintain your erection to the completion of the intercourse?
- How often was your attempted intercourse satisfying for you?
Researchers found the following:
- Erectile dysfunction took place in 3.7 percent of men in the 20-35 age group.
- ED was present in 55 percent of men in the 35-55 age group.
- ED was present in 41 percent of the men over the age of 55.
Causes of erectile dysfunction
ED, the inability to get and keep an erection during sex, is not necessarily a sign of trouble if occurs from time to time. If it becomes ongoing, however, causes may include these physical or psychological problems:
Physical causes
- Injuries that affect the spinal cord or the pelvic area
- Heart disease
- Enlarged prostate or prostate cancer treatments
- Atherosclerosis (clogged blood vessels)
- Sleep disorders
- High cholesterol
- Substance abuse or alcoholism
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Peyronie's disease (scar tissue inside the penis)
- Obesity
- Tobacco use
- Metabolic syndrome (increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist, high cholesterol)
- Some prescription medications
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
Psychological causes
- Stress
- Sexual performance anxiety
- Depression or other mental health conditions
- Relationship problems or poor communication
Let's talk about psychological issues and sex
Experiencing sexual issues doesn't mean that a person has something wrong with them. In today's world, sexual concerns such as ED can be improved with a wide variety of treatments, depending on the cause(s). Some interventions take the form of therapy or medication. And let's clear up one misunderstanding - a sexual disorder only occurs if the person feels a great deal of anxiety or distress in his or her life. For example, a low sex drive isn't necessary a problem if the person and their partner are happy.
Unfortunately, men with ED sometimes experience a variety of psychosocial stresses that can include:
- Loss of self-esteem
- A diminished sense of masculinity and health status
- Anger
- A lowered quality of life
- An unsatisfactory sex life
- Performance anxiety
- Stress
- Embarrassment
- Relationship issues
- Inability to provide sperm for impregnation
Men with depression may have a higher likelihood of experiencing ED than others of the same age. Physicians have discovered that treating the depression along with the ED actually improves depression scale scores more than only treating the depression.
Studies show that being in a loving, supportive relationship can make a person healthier. When significant personal involvements break, this can be one of the most stressful life events and will impact a person's general health. And, the amount of sexual intimacy in a caring relationship correlates with satisfaction within a relationship.
Erectile dysfunction treatment options
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get your sex life and intimacy back on track with ED:
- Work with your doctor to manage any chronic health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes
- If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, consider your options like therapy, meditation, or medication
- Continue your regular checkups and keep up with your medical screening and tests
- Find ways to reduce stress
- As a first line of defense, try sexual health products like doctor-recommended medical male vibrators to treat ED
- Stop smoking
- Consume moderate amounts of alcohol
- Exercise regularly
- Consider prescription medications for ED
- Speak with your doctor about the possibility of penile injections
- Talk with your partner about issues that may interfere with your sexual energy
- Think of new ways to keep your sexual relationship exciting and erotic
How to spice up sex while treating ED
At some point in your life, you've probably considered spicing up your sex life or masturbation routine (naturally). In many cases, a change of any kind can be the key to renewed intimacy and better sex. But, if your experiencing sexual health issues like ED or performance anxiety, you may need a treatment options that addresses multiple issues at the same time, such as the physical and psychological together, like MysteryVibe's FDA-registered, doctor recommended medical vibrators.
Banish bedroom anxiety with Tenuto 2
Tenuto 2 is an wearable vibrator for men that's clinically proven to improve ED and performance anxiety while improving arousal for both partners. 4 powerful motors stimulate key erogenous zones of the penis and perineum, which increases blood flow, heightens sensations, resulting in stronger, longer lasting erections. Additionally, the front 3 motors stimulate a partner's clitoris and vulva, so she feels as amazing as you do.
The flexible fit of Tenuto 2 stretches and adapts to each user's penis and it's comfortable snug keep helps keep the blood in the penis, extending erections and prolonging pleasure.
According to an article in Men's Health Magazine, heterosexual men admitted to using and enjoying a vibrator at one point or another during their adulthood.
The magazine continues by stating that MysteryVibe's Tenuto 2, or as they call it a "guybrator," will probably make men better lovers, too.
Discover new ways to intensify arousal with Crescendo 2
Another options for rekindling the fire in the bedroom is the bendable Crescendo 2. Crescendo 2 is a unisex and bendable vibrator, which has multi-shape flexibility to arouse erogenous zones you didn't even know you or your partner had. This "Swiss Army Knife" of sex toys is the multi-purpose vibrator you and your partner have been searching for these many years. It's considered one of the best sex toy for couples.
This bendable vibrator is the perfect companion for foreplay and intercourse with 6 powerful motors that arouse everywhere it touches, whether that's the G-spot, clitoris, P-spot, penis, perineum, etc. The MysteryVibe app allows you to control your orgasm or lets your partner join in on the fun. With the app, you can pre-set your vibration patterns or create your own.
Michael Castleman, a sex counselor at AARP, says that men and women alike can enjoy using a vibrator. He adds that vibrators can:
- Help women respond to other types of erotic stimulation
- Some women require stimulation beyond what fingers and mouth can provide
- 45% of American men have used a vibrator in partner sex at least once
Get inspired with MysteryVibe's Playbook
If you need inspiration on how to incorporate Crescendo 2 or Tenuto 2 into your sex life, MysteryVibe's Playbook has some creative tips for how to do so. The clear instructions and the creativity of the positions are bound to get any guy's sexual health level a bit higher with every play date.
Health.harvard.edu says experimenting with different positions can add interest to lovemaking. For example, increased stimulation of the G-spot when her partner enters from behind can help a woman reach climax.
Are you in the mood yet?
Takeaway
Your sexual health is an integral part of your overall well-being. Prevention and regular checkups are key to staying ahead of health issues. If you're unsure where to start, taking a sexual health inventory for men is a great first step. Discuss your feelings about erections, relationships, and performance with your doctor. Remember, doctors are experienced in handling sexual health concerns, and common problems like erectile dysfunction are treatable. Don’t wait—schedule your sexual health checkup today and if you already know you're experiencing ED issues, try Tenuto 2. It's recommended by doctors, clinically proven to improve ED, and loved by couple's worldwide.
