Male Sexual Issues

Our society has decided that men* are very sex-focused and that a healthy male – especially a young man – is ready for action at any time, under any circumstances. Of course, this is nonsense. Men are feeling beings, not just sexual beings and as such, they also experience stress, disappointments, relationships challenges, and pressures. These can all contribute to sexual issues, in addition to medical causes of male sexual problems. Men of all ages may experience sexual issues.

Male sexual issues include:

• Erectile dysfunction
  • The inability to obtain or maintain a good quality erection, usually one that allows for penetration.
• Premature ejaculation
  • Ejaculating (climaxing) earlier than you or your partner would like and not having the ability to delay ejaculation.
• Low sexual desire
  • A lack of desire or interest in sexual activity – either alone or with a partner
• Anorgasmia
  • Inability to achieve orgasm

Symptoms & signs of the effects of male sexual issues

• Feelings of low self-esteem or self-worth
• Shame
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Loneliness
• Isolation
• Relationship problems
• Performance anxiety
• Avoidance of sexual activities

When is it time to get help?

There are several possible medical causes for male sexual issues including:

• Substance use/abuse
• Certain medications
• Health-related issues (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, heart failure, etc.)
• Injury
• Nerve damage from injury

There are many psychological causes for male sexual issues including:

• Past sexual trauma
• Unresolved emotional issues
• Stress
• Guilt
• Depression
• Relationship issues
• Low self esteem
• Anxiety
• High porn use

It’s important to look at any medical causes for your issues – this will help in treating any underlying conditions. Regardless of the cause of your sexual issues, if the quality of your sex life is below what you and/or your partner would like it to be – therapy can help. If the symptoms you’re experiencing are causing you to feel sad, anxious, depressed, etc., if you’re finding trouble in relationships, your day-to-day functioning, or your overall mental wellness – then it is time to seek help.

Male sexual issues treatment methods

Male sexual issues can be treated in several ways, including couples therapy or individual therapy.

Together with your therapist, you will get to the root of your issues and that will determine the best treatment for your individual situation. Common treatment methods that have worked in this area include:

• Crucible approach therapy. Crucible® Therapy or the Crucible Approach is an integrated therapeutic approach that started out as an integrated treatment for sex, intimacy, and relationship problems. With couples, the therapist will ultimately push them outside of their comfort zone and develop new comfort zones by becoming more emotionally mature.
• Mindfulness therapy is an approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves, others, and the world. The ability to be in the moment, to acknowledge and regulate your emotions helps you to break free from negative thought patterns.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves.
• Person Centered Therapy differs from more traditional therapeutic approaches in the belief that, while the therapist has expertise in many areas, the client is the expert on themselves and their lived experiences. People are essentially trustworthy and have a vast potential for understanding themselves while also being able to ultimately resolve their own problems when guided properly.

What will I get out of treatment with Insight Psychological?

While we’ve seen advertising for medications that can treat many of these male sexual issues, those prescriptions do not get to the (sometimes) psychological root of these problems or provide a lasting and permanent solution. Therapy can help you to uncover the cause or if the cause is medical, can provide support to you (and your partner) for any lasting effects the sexual issue may have caused. You can overcome this, feel better, and have a more satisfying sex life as a result.

Insight has therapists who specialize in gender identity, sexuality, and intimacy. If you are struggling, please contact us and we can help you find a therapist that’s right for you.

*PLEASE NOTE: We’ve used the term “men” or “male” in relation to people with male sexual organs. We understand that not everyone with these organs will identify as men or male, just as there may be some people having organs of both genders and others with neither who may identify as men or male.