The Ultimate Guide To Common Men Sexual Dysfunctions

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on July 24, 2022

Last Updated on September 21, 2022

Although many men experience sexual health problems in Canada, many men continue to suffer in silence rather than seeking help and support. 

While some sexual dysfunctions and their likelihood increase with age, all men could experience problems in the bedroom at some point.

On the plus side, there is plenty of help available, and reaching out for it is nothing to be ashamed of! Understanding the causes of your sexual health problems makes it easier to access support and treatment for them.

Male Sexual Dysfunction Glossary

In this guide, we will address several male sexual dysfunction terms. Here is a comprehensive list and definition of some of the terminology that will be used:

1. Erectile dysfunction: inability to maintain or get an erection
2. Sexual dysfunction: recurrent difficulties related to sexual intercourse
3. Libido: sex drive
4. Testosterone: sex hormone
5. Ejaculation: the expulsion of semen
6. Orgasm: extreme sexual pleasure or excitement
7. Premature ejaculation: ejaculating sooner than intended or shortly after initiating intercourse
8. PDE5 inhibitors: medication to enhance blood flow to the penis

So what are the most common men's sexual health problems in Canada, and how can you manage them? Read on to find out more!

How Common Are Men's Sexual Health Problems?

First things first, let's get one thing clear. Men's sexual health problems are extremely common, even if we don't talk about them a lot!

In fact, more than 50% of Canadian men experience at least one sexual health problem during their lives. So if sexual health problems are affecting your sex life, you are not alone. 

Men may experience different types of sexual health problems at some point in their lives. There are six common sexual health problems that men can encounter. Let's take a closer look at these. 

1-Erectile Dysfunction 

Erectile dysfunction is by far the most common men's sexual health problem in Canada and around the world. This is the inability to get and sustain an erection. 

This can occur when having sex with a partner or when masturbating. It can help to make a note of how often this happens for you and the situations when it occurs. This will help you understand the causes of your erectile dysfunction.

Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, you may find that: 

1. You struggle to get an erection
2. You can get an erection but cannot sustain it 
3. Your sexual desire is reduced
4. You become stressed or frustrated it

You may find it only happens a handful of times. If this is occurring on a regular basis, then it is a good idea to speak to your doctor. 

2- Premature Ejaculation 

Around 30% of men in Canada experience premature ejaculation during their lives.

This means that you ejaculate without control and with minimal sexual stimulation. It can occur in sexual situations, although some men also experience PE without sexual contact.

Importantly, premature ejaculation relates to this happening on a regular basis. Most men will experience it at some point in their lives, especially when they first start having sex. But if this has happened to you a handful of times, it is usually nothing to worry about. 

Symptoms of Premature Ejaculation 

Generally, PE is defined as ejaculation within 1 to 3 minutes of sexual contact. Other common symptoms include: 

1. A total inability to control when you ejaculate (even if sex lasts longer)
2. Feelings of distress or frustration
3. Avoidance of sexual contact

Like erectile dysfunction, this can occur when having sexual contact with a partner or when masturbating.

3- Delayed or Inhibited Ejaculation 

Delayed ejaculation also affects your ejaculation control. However, this condition means that you will find it extremely difficult to reach a sexual climax.

This affects around 10% of men in Canada and often becomes more common with age.

Symptoms of Inhibited Ejaculation 

You may be experiencing delayed ejaculation if it often takes you 30 minutes or more to reach orgasm and ejaculate. Some men may also find that even after this point, they cannot ejaculate. 

This can occur: 

1. Once you reach sexual maturity 
2. After you have been enjoying a healthy sex life for a period of time
3. In specific sexual situations 

Some men experiencing delayed ejaculation find it easier to ejaculate when masturbating.

4- Low Libido 

Your libido is just another name for your sex drive. So having a low libido means that you have lost interest in engaging in sexual activity in general.

Your libido will change throughout your life. For example, teenagers and people in their early 20s generally have a much higher libido. In comparison, men in their 40s generally have a lower sex drive.

However, some men experience this because of a change in their sex hormone levels. This is also known as hypogonadism.

Symptoms of Low Libido 

The primary symptom of low libido is a lack of interest in sexual activity. This includes sex with a partner and masturbation. Additional symptoms in adult men can include: 

1. Hair loss 
2. Hot flashes
3. Fatigue 
4. Difficulty concentrating
5. Low sperm count 
6. Erectile dysfunction 
7. Muscle loss

Younger men with hypogonadism may also find it difficult to grow facial hair. This can also affect the development of the testicles during adolescence.

5- Low testosterone: 

Testosterone is a hormone produced in men's bodies, and it's vital for sexual function. This is the hormone that helps male bodies develop male features. 

If the testosterone level is low in a person, the symptoms might include but are not limited to low sexual desire, ED, infertility, depression, and fatigue. 

The reasons why the testosterone level might drop can be testes injury or infection, chemotherapy, alcohol abuse, chronic illnesses, obesity, AIDS or HIV, and many more.

There are various treatments available for this condition, including:

1. Gels
2. Injections
3. Implantable pellets
4. Buccal cavity

6- Peyronie's disease: 

Peyronie's disease is a condition that happens from fibrous scar tissue that develops on the penis. As a result of that, the erections are curved and painful. They also might lose length or girth. Although, it is essential to mention that a lot of men have curves in their penis. It is not to be concerned about if it has been there forever.

Peyronie's disease has an acute phase, lasting between six to twelve months, and a chronic phase, where the scar has stopped growing.

Peyronie's disease is a type of penile curvature. As mentioned above, some men have penile curvature from birth. The difference is that it is not caused by a scar, and it doesn't change over time. 

This disease can be caused by age, genetics, ED, prostate cancer, or autoimmune disorders.

If your penis curvature is small and it causes no pain or trouble during sex, you should be fine. But, generally speaking, there are no treatments for Peyronie's disease, though there are ways to improve the changes in the penis, including stretch therapy (traction), medications and even surgeries.

What Are the Common Causes of Sexual Dysfunction in Men? 

Men's sexual health problems can be caused by a whole range of things. This can include: 

1. Changes in your hormone levels (especially low testosterone) 
2. Prescription drugs that you are taking 
3. Blood vessel disorders
4. High blood pressure 
5. Stroke damage
6. Nerve damage from diabetes or surgeries
7. Performance anxiety
8. Problems within your relationships
9. Depression 
10. Previous sexual trauma
11. Stress and anxiety
12. Lifestyle choices (such as smoking, drinking, or drug abuse)

Keeping a record of when you experience sexual health problems can help you identify potential causes.

It is also a good idea to visit your doctor or a sexual health clinic to discuss your problems. They will be able to test you for any underlying health conditions that might be affecting you.

What Are Your Options For Managing Sexual Health Problems? 

Identifying the causes of your sexual health problems can help you find an effective solution for them. The best way to do this is by visiting your doctor or local sexual health clinic. 

They can: 

1. Run blood tests 
2. Check your blood pressure 
3. Check your prostate
4. Examine your penis and testicles 
5. Explain common causes that might be affecting you

They may also ask about your sexual and medical history and ask if you have any other symptoms. From this, they can help you decide on the best way to treat your sexual health problems.

Medications That Help With Sexual Health Problems 

There are prescription medications available to address sexual health problems. These meds helpincrease blood flow to the penis and can help to improve sexual health problems.

These medications are all FDA-approved and have high success rates. They are common all around the world.

Hormone Therapy 

If you have low testosterone levels, your doctor may recommend using hormone replacement therapy. This involves taking testosterone via injections, gels, or patches.

Psychological Therapy

If you think your sexual health problems are psychological, then it is a good idea to speak to a counsellor. They will be able to explore this with you in more depth in a safe and supportive environment. 

This can also be very helpful if you have developed stress and anxiety around sex as a result of your condition.

Mechanical Aids 

Some men prefer to use mechanical aids to combat erectile dysfunction. This can include using vacuum constriction devices to improve blood flow to the penis. 

Some prefer to get penile implant surgery. This involves fitting the penis with two cylinders that you can manually pump to "inflate" the penis and create an erection.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Improve Sexual Health Problems 

Simple lifestyle changes can help when it comes to managing men's sexual health problems. This is because improving men's health can help improve your blood flow and reduce your stress levels.

Some things you can do to improve sexual health problems include: 

1. Limiting your alcohol intake 
2. Quitting smoking 
3. Eating healthily (especially eating plenty of white meat and vegetables)
4. Getting regular exercise (especially aerobic and weight-building exercises) 

These can improve your physical health. They also support better mental health. So this can have a big impact if your sexual health problems are related to psychological issues.

If You Are Experiencing Sexual Health Problems, You Are Not Alone

While men's sexual health problems can be frustrating, they are extremely common and are nothing to be embarrassed about. Whether you are facing erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, help is at hand. You can either see your own doctor or, if you don't feel comfortable, use the online platforms that connect you to a healthcare professional.