Sexual Health: For
the Man and the Woman
Sexual Health:
Sexual
health has been one of the major beneficiaries of modern science and the medical
profession in helping us to become aware of it's holistic nature. Optimal
sexual health is now believed to be associated with many factors including
psychological adjustment, physical functioning and social experience. Only
through the development of a healthy lifestyle which incorporates these three
factors are you able to have the highest level of sexual health possible.
Lifestyle and Social Experience:
Our sexual health has a lot to do with out attitudes and habits. Only by
incorporating healthy habits including to quit smoking,
moderate alcohol consumption, exercise, weight loss, and
dealing effectively with psychological and social problems, are you able to
optimize your sexual health and happiness. Without your health, little else
matters.
Obviously, you need to pay attention to and develop a healthy, positive
attitude toward others in order to optimize your happiness and ultimately our
relationships. Contemporary research continues to identify the importance of
happy, supportive relationships in every aspect of our quality of life and sense
of happiness.
Psychological aspects of sex:
Optimal sexual health obviously requires addressing psychological concerns.
Sexual problems and sexual impotence may be the unhealthy consequences of not
paying attention to feelings of overwhelming stress or depression. According to
the National Institutes of Health, psychological distress is at the root of
approximately 10% to 20% of all cases of impotence. If an individual suffers
from impotence but has erections in the morning or while they sleep, there’s a
good chance that their problem is largely psychological. Factors that can lead
to impotence include stress, fear, performance anxiety, guilt, depression, and
low self-esteem. Fortunately, medical professionals and mental health
clinicians are now becoming very aware of
impotence causes
and their interrelationship with
psychological factors. Psychological impotence is now very treatable.
Health and Medical Concerns:.
Maximal sexual health includes a physical examination to rule out medical
concerns. Physical factors such as the side effects of drugs, alcohol abuse,
smoking and illnesses such as diabetes account for over 70% of all cases of
impotence. Impotence is frequently a presenting feature of diabetes. It
is estimated that approximately 50 % of individuals with diabetes suffer from
impotence. Also, diseases affecting the nerves, such as multiple sclerosis or
injury to the spinal cord or pelvis have a tremendous effect on lowering
sexual functioning. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and the side
effects of prescribed medications such as antihypertensive drugs (used to treat
high blood pressure), antidepressants, anticonvulsants, as well as drugs for
treating ulcers may be responsible for impotence. Hormonal
abnormalities including a lack of testosterone or increased prolactin levels
have also frequently been implicated.
All medical concerns and disease processes need to be identified and treated
in conjunction with psychological, social and lifestyle considerations, in order
to ensure the effectiveness of
treating impotence
and to optimize your sexual
functioning.
By Paul Susic MA
Licensed Psychologist PH.D Candidate
