EXCLUSIVE: Emotional Intimacy And It’s Impact On Male Sexual Well-Being- Expert Explains

Emotional intimacy crucial for male sexual well-being, reducing stress, enhancing communication, and fostering a fulfilling sexual relationship. Let’s find out why prioritizing emotional closeness and intimacy is essential for sexual health.

This article is a repost which originally appeared on ZEENEWS

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

  • Stress, sedentary lifestyles, and various other factors can take a toll on our sexual health
  • Emotional intimacy represents the capacity to establish a profound and genuine connection with your partner
  • A lack of emotional intimacy can lead to feelings of disconnect and dissatisfaction, adversely affecting a man’s sexual well-being

Emotional intimacy plays a pivotal role in male sexual well-being, often underestimated in societal conversations. It encompasses the ability to connect on a deeper emotional level, fostering trust, understanding, and vulnerability within a relationship.

Communication, a fundamental aspect of emotional intimacy, allows individuals to voice concerns, preferences, and insecurities, promoting a fulfilling sexual relationship.

In an exclusive interview with Zee News English, Dr Lalitha Reddy Palle, MBBS, MD, DNB, FICR, Founder, ForMen Health shares if emotional initmacy plays a role in men’s sexual health and well-being.

“Emotional intimacy represents the capacity to establish a profound and genuine connection with our partner, forming the bedrock of strong, wholesome relationships,” says Dr Lalitha.

Dr Lalitha comments further, “This bond relies on transparent communication, trust, and the willingness to be vulnerable, transcending mere physical attraction. The benefits of emotional closeness extend to sexual satisfaction and performance, as it can alleviate performance-related anxiety and pressure, creating a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for both individuals.”

6 Ways Emotional Intimacy Improve Men’s Sex Drive

Listening intently, taking a nonjudgmental position, and spending quality time together while cultivating trust are all part of developing emotional closeness.

Emotional Intimacy Enhances Relationship Understanding

Building emotional intimacy between partners is key to developing a deep understanding and comfort within the relationship. Such understanding forms the foundation for more fulfilling sexual experiences.

Reduced Sexual Dysfunction

Emotional intimacy can play a vital role in reducing sexual dysfunction. It can help alleviate issues such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, particularly when these problems are rooted in psychological factors or stress.

Greater Relationship Satisfaction

As emotional intimacy grows, so does overall relationship satisfaction. When couples are emotionally connected, they tend to experience greater happiness and contentment in their partnership.

Pressure to Perform

The pressure to perform sexually can negatively impact one’s ability to enjoy intimate moments. Emotional intimacy helps relieve this pressure by creating a safe and understanding space, reducing unrealistic expectations.

Alleviate Psychological Factors

Emotional stability in a relationship can alleviate psychological factors that may contribute to sexual problems. It offers a supportive environment for addressing and resolving these issues.

Shared Responsibility

Building emotional intimacy is a shared responsibility between both partners. Encouraging open and honest conversations about emotional needs and desires is essential for fostering a healthy, emotionally connected relationship.

“Emotional intimacy is a crucial component of a satisfying and fulfilling sexual life. It reduces sexual dysfunction, eases performance pressure, and contributes to overall relationship happiness, making it a vital aspect of any partnership,” concludes Dr Lalitha.

In contrast, a lack of emotional intimacy can lead to feelings of disconnect and dissatisfaction, adversely affecting a man’s sexual well-being. It’s essential to prioritize emotional intimacy alongside physical intimacy, recognizing that a strong emotional bond significantly contributes to a satisfying and wholesome sexual life for men.

-END-

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Young, Single, Not Ready to Mingle: Relationships, Mental Health, ED

A study ties depression, anxiety and lack of a partner to erectile dysfunction in younger men.

Author: James Anderson
Published: February 20, 2023

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Giddy

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Key Points

‧ The quality of a relationship will have an impact on sexual performance.

‧ Anxiety can lead to low libido and ED.

‧ Problems arise when anxiety medication side effects add to sexual performance issues.

A single man in his late 20s occasionally dates but hasn’t been on a date in some time. He has sex infrequently. That’s been the case for a few years, maybe about a decade.

He has developed depression and anxiety. He has struggled with those mental health issues for a while, and now he has problems getting erections. When he does get hard, his penis doesn’t remain that way for long, certainly not long enough to enjoy penetrative intercourse.

He’s been saying to himself, “Man, I’ve been single for so long. I feel broken because of my mental health issues, and now I can’t even get it up or keep it up. Nobody is going to want to be with me.”

Any young guy experiencing mental health issues and erectile dysfunction (ED) should know there’s hope. Their situation is not as dire as it might seem, according to Ravi Hariprasad, M.D., M.P.H., a psychiatrist with Intuitive Psychiatry in San Francisco.

“His first step was recognizing the problem and seeking help and taking the steps required to make the situation better,” Hariprasad said about the hypothetical young man.

Relatively young single men who suffer from both a chronic mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, and ED are not alone, contrary to what they might fear. There’s not only hope for them, but also help and coping strategies available.

Risk factors for depression, anxiety and ED

Authors of a study first published in 2020 in the Journal of Urology found an association between relationship status, mental health and ED. The mental health and ED link appeared common among a sample of 2,660 sexually active men between 18 and 31 years of age. About 14 percent reported some form of ED. Anxiety and tranquilizer use were associated with greater odds of moderate-to-severe ED; antidepressant use was associated with more than three times the odds of moderate-to-severe ED. Married men and those with partners were 65 percent less likely than single guys to experience it in moderate-to-severe form.

“This information may not necessarily function the same way when reversed and used as a predictive model of whether a young single man may be at risk of having or developing ED of any severity,” according to Joshua Poole, M.D., a psychiatrist in California who works with Open Mind Health, a virtual mental wellness network. “It more so tells us that those surveyed who were already partnered were less likely to have moderate to severe ED.”

We don’t yet have definitive data clarifying just how relationship status, mental health and sexual dysfunction relate to each other, however, Poole said.

“Clinically, I have witnessed that the quality of the relationship frequently has more to do with sexual dysfunction than the presence or absence of a relationship,” he explained. “There are many instances where a relationship can be the source of both mental health issues and sexual dysfunction. In speaking to therapists who specialize in sex therapy, I have often been told that a great deal of sexual dysfunction is actually the result of emotional dysfunction in the dynamic of a relationship.”

For young men, the major risk factors for developing anxiety and depression include genetics, stress, and drug and alcohol problems, said Eric Yarbrough, M.D., a psychiatrist based in New York City. Like Poole, though, he doesn’t consider the relationship between partner status and mental health clear-cut.

“Some people have relationships which are healthy and supportive,” he said. “Others might have relationships which cause them stress and do more harm than good. There are reasons to be single and reasons to be in a relationship, but they are highly individual and relative.”

Nevertheless, several factors might account for the association observed in the study.

Ways mental health interferes with sexual health

Anxiety and depression can both lead to low libido, ejaculatory dysfunction and ED, Poole explained.

Those mental health conditions, Hariprasad suggested, can keep someone from being present and can interfere with their ability to focus when trying to have sex.

“This can make it more difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection, leading to erectile dysfunction,” he said in an email. “Additionally, single men may be more likely to be in sexual relationships with less familiar partners, which can lead to increased feelings of anxiety, further exacerbating erectile dysfunction.”

There’s nothing mysterious regarding the comparatively lower prevalence of sexual dysfunction among men in emotionally supportive, multidimensional and close partnerships vis-à-vis young single men, Hariprasad said.

“I’ve seen over these years of our Tinder culture—our hookup culture—people are losing these other dimensions of friendship and intimacy in relationships, and that’s leading to some of this difficulty,” he said in reference to struggling single men. “Contrary to what the media says, the novelty of having sex with a partner you don’t know is not universally arousing. It can be terrifying to some, and it can activate feelings of insecurity and anxiety in others, none of which are very sexy.”

In contrast, as Hariprasad stressed, arousal can emerge from intimacy.

Conversely, frequent masturbation and excess ejaculation can exacerbate the cycle of mental health issues contributing to relationship difficulties and vice versa, he said, adding that porn consumption often gets paired with incessant masturbation, and that can cause another vicious cycle. Watching a lot of porn can desensitize someone to the amount of stimulus needed for arousal, which could result in ED, Hariprasad explained.

“Often, people are not watching the entire clip,” he said. “They’re just fast-forwarding to the components that are highly arousing, and that’s leading to an inappropriate mental patterning of the sexual response cycle that’s not often conducive to a normal sexual response cycle with a partner.”

Therapy and coping strategies

So what can the young, single guy dealing with ED as well as anxiety and/or depression do to address his problems?

Yarbrough would advise the man to prioritize treating his anxiety and depression since the conditions can affect myriad facets of life, from work to family to friendships to romance. He should also see a primary care physician to rule out any potential health problems that could be causing the mental health difficulties.

“After all of this, a person can explore their sexual history and views on sex to understand how they might be affecting his ability to maintain an erection,” he said.

Poole cautioned that the gold standard for treating both anxiety and depression has a reputation for contributing to sexual dysfunction. These are typically antidepressants derived from the family of medications that includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

“It’s a tricky thing when the treatment for a problem can also cause the problem,” he acknowledged.

If ED results as a side effect of antidepressant medication, Poole recommended decreasing the dose or switching to a medication that doesn’t worsen the patient’s mood disorder.

Nonpharmaceutical strategies, including practicing breathing techniques to help in the moment and writing a journal to identify and alter spiraling negative thoughts, can help some people cope with anxiety and depression.

Certain physical activities, done regularly, have been shown to be potentially helpful, such as the following:

‧ Practice stress-management techniques, such as meditation and yoga
‧ Engage in mindful movements like tai chi
‧ Adopt a proper sleep schedule
‧ Avoid excess caffeine
‧ Eat a balanced diet

CBD oil might be a mild therapeutic option for some folks struggling with anxiety and depression. Assistance from professionals in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be a talk therapy tool worth exploring to pinpoint triggers and manage symptoms.

A new lens for sexual behavior

Hariprasad affirmed talk therapy and lifestyle changes as treatment possibilities.

“Then, in parallel, we’d need to change your sexual behaviors and hygiene so that you’re more likely to succeed,” he said.

Depending on the person, that could involve cutting back on masturbation and time spent viewing porn.

Since a lack of exercise for the muscles in the pelvic floor can make them lax, potentially leading to problems like premature ejaculation and ED, Kegel exercises can be useful, he added.

“A lot of literature and common knowledge has been about Kegel exercises for women,” Hariprasad said. “And what’s not appreciated is that the same set of exercises can be used by men to enhance their performance. I think it’s one of the single-most helpful things that someone could do as a practice, is [to] learn to isolate those muscles and exercise them so they’re stronger.”

Doing Kegels, together with exercise for the abdominal muscles, might enable men to improve the quality of their erections and their ejaculatory control, he added.

Hariprasad further suggested that guys in their 20s and 30s could begin to address the entanglement of issues that stand in the way of good psychological health, erections and relationships by learning how to form close, meaningful connections.

“That means forming friendships and then learning to have intimacy in those friendships—not necessarily seeking sexual encounters—and allowing the sexuality to arise organically from within those intimate, connected, safe relationships,” he said.

“Taken all together, this strategy has helped countless men I’ve worked with over the years reboot their sexual life and get their life and self-esteem back in order. But [men need] to understand that the situation is hopeful. [The work] just needs to be done methodically and patiently,” Hariprasad concluded.

It’s not always easy for men to seek help, especially for something as personal and sensitive as erection troubles. Plus, a lot of people don’t have a therapist they see regularly, so it’s not always intuitive to take that first step. Video visits have become a viable option for most people, and more physicians and therapists have added them as a service. Giddy telehealth makes it easy to get connected to a qualified healthcare professional who can help with a variety of mental and physical health conditions.

PRP for Erectile Dysfunction: Research, Benefits, and Risks

Can PRP Treat Erectile Dysfunction? Research, Benefits, and Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Kevin O. Hwang, MD, MPH — Written by Daniel Yetman on March 6, 2020

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Healthline

Edited for content

What is PRP?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a component of blood that’s thought to promote healing and tissue generation. PRP therapy is used to treat tendon or muscle injuries, stimulate hair growth, and speed recovery from surgery.

It’s also used as an experimental or alternative treatment option for:

  • erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Peyronie’s disease
  • penis enlargement
  • sexual performance

There’s currently little research on the effectiveness of PRP for ED. In this article, we’re going to break down what scientists have found so far. We’ll also look at alternative treatment options and potential side effects of PRP therapy.

How does it work?

Your blood is made of four different components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets.

Plasma is the liquid part of your blood and makes up about half of its volume. Platelets are critical for helping your blood clot after an injury. They also contain proteins called growth factors that help speed up healing.

The theoretical benefit of PRP for ED is to make the tissue and blood vessels in the penis healthier.

To prepare PRP, a medical professional takes a small sample of your blood and spins it in a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the plasma and platelets from the other parts of your blood.

The resulting PRP mixture has a much higher concentration of platelets than regular blood. Once the PRP is developed, it’s injected into your penis. This is called the Priapus Shot, or P-Shot.

The P-Shot is a quick procedure, and you’ll likely be able to leave the clinic in about an hour. You also don’t have to do anything to prepare in advance for the procedure.

What does the research say?

Many clinics offering PRP for ED claim that it’s effective, but there’s limited scientific evidence to support their claims. Using PRP for ED is experimental, and its effectiveness is still under review.

A 2020 review looked at all the research available to date on PRP therapy for male sexual dysfunction. The review looked at three animal studies and two human studies for ED. The studies didn’t report any major adverse reactions to PRP therapy.

The researchers concluded that PRP has the potential to be a useful treatment option for ED. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the studies had small sample sizes, and there weren’t adequate comparison groups.

More research is needed to understand the benefits of PRP treatment. The current evidence is mostly anecdotal.

How does PRP compare to other ED treatments?

At this time, it isn’t clear if undergoing PRP therapy will help improve symptoms of ED. Traditional treatment options might be a better alternative until more research is available.

Many people with ED have success with traditional treatment options, which usually target the underlying cause of ED. Your doctor can evaluate you for potential causes of ED, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes, and recommend the best treatment option for you.

Common ED treatments include:

  • Medications. ED medications allow the blood vessels in the penis to relax and increase blood flow.
  • Lifestyle changes. Becoming more physically active, eating a healthier diet, and quitting smoking all have the potential to improve ED.
  • Talk therapy. Talk therapies might help improve ED if it’s a result of psychological causes, such as anxiety, stress, or relationship problems.
  • Targeting underlying conditions. ED is often caused by an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. Treating these conditions has the potential to improve erection quality.
How much does PRP cost?

Few insurance plans currently cover PRP because it’s still considered an experimental treatment. The cost of the P-Shot can range widely among clinics. According to the Hormone Zone, the P-Shot procedure costs about $1,900. However, some clinics may charge up to $2,200 for treatment.

According to the 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, the average doctor fee for a PRP procedure was $683, not including facility and instrument cost.

Finding a doctor

If you’re interested in having PRP treatment for ED, talk to your doctor. They can answer your questions about PRP and refer you to a specialist who performs the treatment. Globally, there are at least 683 registered clinics that can administer PRP for ED.

PRP is usually performed by a doctor or surgeon. However, laws on who can perform the treatment may vary between countries.

When looking for somebody to perform PRP, check their medical credentials to make sure they’re licensed by a medical board before you make an appointment.

If possible, you may also want to speak to one of their previous clients to see if they were happy with their results.

Risks and side effects

The 2020 review mentioned earlier found no major adverse effects in the study participants. However, researchers can’t say whether or not PRP is a safe treatment for ED until more research comes out.

As of now, there have been few clinical trials, and the sample sizes have been too small to make any conclusions.

PRP is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction since the substance being injected is coming from your body. However, as with any type of injection, there’s always a risk of complications, such as:

  • infection
  • nerve damage
  • pain, including pain at the injection site
  • tissue damage
  • bruising
Takeaway

PRP therapy is still an experimental treatment. At this time, it isn’t clear if PRP can help treat ED. The procedure is relatively expensive and isn’t covered by most insurance companies.

Early research looks promising, but until studies with large sample sizes and control groups come out, you may want to stick with traditional ED treatments.

If you’re having trouble getting an erection, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can test you for underlying medical conditions that may be causing ED and recommend an appropriate treatment.

Rogaine and Low Libido: What Are the Facts?

Learn the Facts About Rogaine and Low Libido

Medically reviewed by Harshil Matta, DO — Written by Kimberly Holland — Updated on August 13, 2020

This article is a repost which originally appeared on HealthLine

Edited for content

What is Rogaine?

In an effort to reverse or disguise hair loss, many men reach for over-the-counter hair loss treatments. One of the most popular, minoxidil (Rogaine), poses a variety of potential risks.

Rogaine has been available for several decades. The medication is available at pharmacies and drugstores nationwide. It’s also available as a prescription from your doctor.

Rogaine is a topical treatment intended to promote hair growth. It can also be used to slow hair loss.

However, Rogaine is not intended to stop balding or correct receding hairlines. When you stop using Rogaine, new hair growth will likely be lost within a few weeks or months.

How is Rogaine used?

Rogaine comes in two forms:

  • a liquid you apply directly to your scalp
  • a tablet you take by mouth

Follow your pharmacist or doctor’s instructions carefully.

Using more than prescribed will not yield better or faster results. Visible results may not appear for several months to more than a year.

What are Rogaine’s side effects?

Using Rogaine increases your risk for several side effects. These side effects include:

  • scalp sensitivity
  • skin dryness
  • skin flaking
  • irritation or burning sensation at and around the application site
  • increased heart rate

Using Rogaine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight and wear protective clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses when outside.

Rogaine and erectile dysfunction

To date, no scientific studies have made a connection between Rogaine and sexual dysfunction.

Men who take Rogaine and experience problems with libido, erection, or performance will often find another contributing factor that explains their symptoms.

One study published in 2014 found that Rogaine had an effect on the activity of androgen receptors, but the authors are very clear in stating that the effects are in the hair follicle only.

Currently, there’s still no confirmed evidence that Rogaine negatively affects the male libido, although research continues.

Newer treatments, such as finasteride (Proscar, Propecia), have also been introduced to the market.

Propecia was hailed as a less messy alternative to Rogaine. People who use that drug only have to take a pill once a day by mouth.

An early study involving men who used finasteride and complained of side effects found that sexual dysfunction was the most common, particularly libido and erectile dysfunction.

Other well-conducted research studies display side effects in much lower numbers of all users of finasteride. Those effects are usually reversible once the medication is stopped.

Those same men reported that their number of sexual encounters fell during and after use. Unfortunately, those side effects are long-lasting.

Men in the study experienced these unwanted side effects for an average of 40 months after stopping the medication.

When to call your doctor

If you’re interested in regrowing hair or slowing hair loss, speak with your doctor about your options. If you begin taking a medication for hair loss, remember to keep track of any side effects and complications.

Should you begin experiencing side effects, tell your doctor. Detail what you’re experiencing and how quickly the symptoms began after you started the medication.

Be sure to also tell your doctor about any other medications, supplements, and vitamins you’re taking. A combination of certain medications and chemicals can potentially cause problems.

Helping your doctor identify any possible complications will help to manage side effects before they become severe.

Lastly, if you begin having sexual performance problems or issues with dysfunction, see your doctor. The change in sexual performance may have nothing to do with your Rogaine use.

Working with your doctor will ensure you find a cause for your sexual problem and a lasting solution.

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Sexual Dysfunction: What All Men Should Know

Sexual Dysfunction: What All Men Should Know

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Women Fitness Magazine

Sexual Dysfunction: What All Men Should Know : All around the world, millions of men secretly suffer from health problems that prevent them from experiencing a fulfilling sexual life with their partner. Whether it’s the inability to get erect, ejaculate, or a loss of sexual desire or stamina, these issues affect men of all ages and backgrounds but tend to manifest with age.

More often than not, sexual potency problems arise from underlying physical or psychological causes that must be treated to allow gentlemen to enjoy healthy and satisfying sex life. In that spirit, here’s a useful reference guide covering sexual dysfunction problems in men, along with what you can do if you ever suffer from one of these conditions.

What is Sexual Dysfunction?

Essentially, male sexual dysfunction encompasses all physical or psychological conditions that avert gentlemen from experiencing normal sexual activity. These typically involve bedroom issues such as having a difficult time maintaining an erection, ejaculating too early or too late, or simply not feeling the desire to engage in intercourse. They diverge in nature and gravity and have a different diagnosis, causes, and treatments. As such, understanding these problems will enable the patient to treat it effectively and durably.

Types of Male Sexual Disorders

When it comes to sexual potency issues in men, it’s important to analyze each condition individually to fully grasp its extent and select the most appropriate solution. Sexual dysfunction comprises three main types, including:

  1. Erectile Dysfunction

    Perhaps the most widespread sexual potency issue, erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by the inability to grow an erection or maintain one throughout intercourse. Needless to say that impotence can have a great negative impact on performance and self-esteem, but ultimately, it’s perfectly treatable. For your reference, it’s been estimated that nearly 1 in 2 American men over the age of 40 suffer from ED to varying extents.

  2. Abnormal Ejaculation

    Another common concern pertains to ejaculation or the act of ‘coming’. While there’s no standard duration that dictates how long a man should last in bed, ejaculating too early, too late, or not at all can pose problems in a couple’s sexual dynamic. On the one hand, premature ejaculation makes a man reach orgasm too early, typically in less than 5 or 10 minutes. Naturally, this can prevent the partner from having an orgasm themselves. On the other hand, delayed ejaculation (also referred to as male orgasmic disorder) involves experiencing late ejaculation, over 30 minutes in the intercourse, or non-ejaculation.

  3. Diminished Libido

    Reduced sexual appetite can also block men from having a fulfilling sex life. It’s characterized by a decreased interest or desire in partaking in intercourse, despite having the physical ability to (usually no erectile or ejaculation problem here). Diminished libido is typically a sign of a deeper psychological ailment, which brings concrete repercussions and prevents a man from enjoying a healthy and dynamic life. There’s a lot more to find out here on how to boost your sexual stamina and drive for your pleasure and that of your partner’s. Invariably, consulting specialized online guides can be an effective first step towards alleviating this debilitating condition.

Common Causes

In modern days, thanks to the advancements in the scientific and medical fields, we possess a much clearer understanding of what may cause gentlemen to experience sexual potency issues. These symptoms often come together and result in sexual dysfunction. On a physical level, low testosterone levels, high blood pressure, prescription drugs, smoking, alcoholism, or drug abuse can take an immense toll on a man’s sex life, along with existing conditions such as diabetes, nerve damage, or strokes. On a psychological level, stress, depression, performance anxiety, relationship problems, or past sexual trauma has been proven to cause performance issues.

Treatments

Fortunately, all these sex-related problems have proven and tested remedies. The Doctor or healthcare professional will typically start by asking questions relating to your sexual activity, frequency, and habits, which you should answer in all honesty and transparency to establish the right diagnosis. Next, they will proceed with a battery of tests (blood pressure, blood sugar levels, testicular examination, prostate check) to determine whether everything is in working order. They will then prescribe the appropriate solution, whether as medication or therapy, to be followed thoroughly.

All things considered, sexual dysfunction in men can take many forms and arise from a variety of physical or psychological predispositions. Regardless of what you’re dealing with, there’s no point in feeling shame or anguish; instead, focus on finding the cause of your ailment and seek the professional medical help you need to overcome it and start enjoying a fulfilling sex life once again. Remember that, the more proactive you are, the higher your chances of finding a permanent solution to your problem.