SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND IGNORANCE
SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND IGNORANCE
On the occasion of Sexual Health
Day (4th September), Dr Atul Dhage, Psychiatrist, Sexologist, De-addiction Specialist
and counsellor, Mindcare Hospital Ratnagiri, has written an article to draw
attention to this sensitive topic
The words “sexual” or “sex” are
enough to draw anybody’s attention to this article. I am sure almost all of us
would be curious to read the article but it is still treated as some kind of
pandora’s box in our society. It is rare to witness people talking freely about
this subject. We see small kids being shushed when they ask about genitals.
Kids are usually taught body parts in kindergarten, which includes head, eyes,
nose, etc. But never about genitals. They are taught about these parts’ way
after their school life in 12th class and that to in science stream
only. Now, how many of them really study after tenth? And even if they study,
are they science students? God knows how many of them actually study and
understand it or they just mug it up for marks only to forget it later without
any takeaway.
So, the
topic today, which is not really handled well by the parents or teachers. Most
of the information that is gathered by the teenagers about this topic is from
television, series, roadside books or magazines, sometimes from such bluff
masters to claim to have excelled at this. Curious teenagers keen to know more
try to use the above-mentioned techniques to get more information. They do get
information, thanks to internet. But this isn’t the correct information, all
they get is distorted, delusional and misleading information which is far from
reality. And this my dear friends could be the beginning of sexual problems.
Problems such
as impotence, misunderstandings about first night, premature ejaculation,
masturbation, menstrual problems, sexual problems after forties or lack of
pleasure in a relationship are very common today. Most of these problems are
mental and physical. 50% of these problems
are caused by ignorance and misunderstanding. Also, life today has become more
stressful. This not only leads to sexual problems but also weakens the
communication between husband and wife. It may lead to increase or even new
addiction of alcoholism, cigarettes and tobacco. The joy of married life and
sex life is lost. And then there's diabetes and hypertension. Hormonal changes
in the body after delivery, in women during menopause, or in men after forties
or fifties. All of these factors may cause many sexual problems. To my
surprise, the only solution people believe is a sex tonic. Ignorance .....
Ignorance ....... Ignorance ........ This ignorance creates problems, but it
does not stop there; Because there is ignorance about how and from whom to get
treatment and what is the treatment.
In the
beginning, one would not realize these problems and later on might be tempted
to take self-medications. There are many fake medicines (with a poster of
horse, bull) available in the market, but trust me, they would only harm you
more. People sometimes order some medications online after seeing
advertisements, they may buy medicines from pharmacy without any prescription,
they might even visit a so called “ Guptrogtadnya visiting at lodge or hotels”
who doesn’t have a degree or clinic but claims to have experience. Such doctors
consult at some cheap hotels. There are even some “experts in the tents”. I am
sure you must have seen such tents alongside highways or main roads. They claim
to sell herbs which are rare to even find. I am sure they find such herbs right
outside their tents. All diseases cured by the same powder. Does this sound
familiar??? I sometimes pity on such patients. Sometimes, I just don’t
understand whether to laugh or cry when I hear such incidents. I would like to
mention a case of a patient who had troubles with erection, where the exact
words of the “tent so called doctor” was “Bhaiya nas band ho gayi hai, current
nahi ata” (brother your nerves/vessles are not working because of pressure of
hand on penis while masturbation). He asked the patient to lie down and used
some bulb which had a switch at the bottom. He kept the bulb on his head, chest
and stomach, the bulb lit all three times. But when he kept it on his genitals,
the bulb did not lit as he didn’t switch on the button. And then he said
“Bhaiya current nahi ata, nase dab gayi he”. You might laugh at it but such
people do exist and many of us might go through situation similar to this if we
are not aware about sexual problem, why are its causes and whom should one
consult for sexual problems.
There are
different sorts of sexual problems. So obviously, there are different
medications to treat them. With the advancement in research in this field
relating to anatomy and the psychological aspect in this process, many new and
effective medicines are available (not just the tonic!). Getting the treatment
has become much easier these days. What we need now is a proper treatment and
counselling to handle such circumstances, proper consultation from experts.
Problems generated because of mere misunderstandings can be fixed with minor
medication and by giving complete knowledge about sex and sexual therapy. So, let’s
dam up the river of ignorance!!! Otherwise we will be doomed to face the
consequences.
Now let us see what are the various
problems, what tests are to be done, how each of these problems are different
and what are different ways of treatment. There is a difference between the
problems faced by men and women. This is because the nature of sexual process differs.
Sexual problems in men:
1. Impotence
2. Erectile dysfunction
3. Premature ejaculation
4. Lack of desire
5. Retarded ejaculation / Delayed
ejaculation
6. Dhat Syndrome
7. Misconceptions about
masturbation
8. Misconceptions about nocturnal
Ejaculation/wet dreams
9. Performance anxiety and
problems due to lack of knowledge
Sexual Problems in Women:
1. Frigidity/ Lack of desire
2. Vaginismus
3. Anorgasmia
4. Problems due to lack of
knowledge
5. Dyspareunia
6. Post-menopausal sexual
problems
7. Misconceptions about
masturbation
Causes:
As we can see that the problems differ, the
reasons for the same differs as well. The reason can be one of the following:
Psychological:
1. Ignorance, hesitation and fear
about love making and sexual act
2. Acute or longstanding traumatic
experiences during childhood
3. Lack of love / problems in
relationship
4. Mental stress and fatigue
5. Mental illness - depression,
anxiety, schizophrenia, etc.
Physical reasons:
1. Pathological problems of Pituitary
gland or testicular disease
2. Hormone deficiency
3. Chronic illness like Diabetes,
high blood pressure, cancer, liver disease etc.
4. Excessive drinking, smoking,
excessive addictions of other drugs
5. Diseases related to senses, nervous
system and blood vessels
6. Obesity
7. Medications used for certain
ailments
Treatment:
In order to give proper treatment,
it is necessary to understand the problem accurately and the reasons too. For
this, there are various things and tests that may be needed.
1 Complete information about
sexuality
2 Physiological tests if needed
3 Complete physical examination
4 Hormone levels
5 Thyroid
6 Colour Doppler
7 Papaverine injection test
8 Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and
Rigidity (NPTR)
9 EMG (electromyogram)
Treatment methods:
We have seen that there are
different types of diseases and the causes are different. Treatments also vary
accordingly. Treatment depends on the disease and the cause. It is important to
seek treatment from a sexual therapist, not just by ordering medication over
the phone or taking a sex tonic.
1. Sexuality counselling /
education
2. Supportive Psychotherapy /
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
3. Rational Emotive Behaviour
Therapy.
4. Medication
5. Various sex therapies
depending on the illness.
6. Papaverine injection.
7. Vacuum pump device
8. Various operations
9. Sex Stimulation Therapy Using
Machines (MBT)
Remember the following:
1. Be informed and aware about
sex. Anyone above the age of 10, or about to get married or about to have sex
must get complete knowledge about it. It will prevent you from further
problems. Remember it is not the treatment but a prevention.
2. Don’t be shy or fearful to
discuss about it with your partner.
3. In case of visit a therapist,
avoid going alone. Visit with your partner as this is a process involving both
the parties.
4. While talking to the therapist
be open and be frank. It is important that the real cause is discovered and
only then it can be treated well. The disease may become severe if not treated
on time but timely medication will help to get rid of it.
5. Lastly, there is nothing
mysterious about sexual organs. They should be treated as any other organ in
the body. It needs attention and treatment as and when required. So, hiding
about sexual problems must be avoided.
Wishing you all a healthy and
happy sexual life. Happy Sexual Health Day to all!
Dr. Atul Dhage
Neuro-Psychiatrist &
Sexologist, deaddiction specialist and counsellor
Mindcare Hospital For Mental
& Sexual health, Ratnagiri.
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