Physical Problems Men Experience With Sex

Although the majority of male sexual problems are psychologically based, there are a number of physical conditions that can affect your sex life. It is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible before anxiety over sexual performance begins to complicate matters and create tension.

Genital abnormalities are extremely rare, but when they do occur, they can be very upsetting. A tight foreskin can make intercourse painful, while an undescended testicle – although it will not affect intercourse – may cause embarrassment. Your doctor can swiftly correct both of these conditions. Any rash or soreness on the penis will make intercourse uncomfortable, and should be treated immediately, either by your doctor or at a special treatment clinic. Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on a man’s sexual performance, as it has a depressing effect on the nervous system. One drink too many may mean difficulty in achieving an erection, while alcoholism may give long-term problems, such as loss of libido.

Drugs prescribed for the treatment of depression of circulatory diseases can also affect sexual response. Erection may be possible, but there is no orgasm, or there is little interest in sex at all. Any man receiving medical treatment who has sexual problems should consult his doctor about the possible effects of medication.

Hormone deficiency can be the cause of loss of libido, but this is very rare. It can be due to an abnormally low level of testosterone, a male hormone. Men with this condition are likely to have little interest in sex, and hardly, if ever, do they masturbate. Hormone replacement therapy is possible but it does not have a very high success rate.  

Male Orgasm

The male orgasmic cycle goes through exactly the same sequence: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution. Moreover, it is equally complex.

The excitement phase begins as a response to a sexual thought or feeling, or to physical stimulation. The penis responds almost immediately, and becomes erect.  Blood fills the spaces (corpora cavernosa) within the flaccid (soft) penis, so that it can enlarge to six inches or more in length when erect. Breathing deepens, the pulse rate increases and the body is more sensitive.

The plateau phase follows, and the penis is now fully erect. It may have darkened in colour, and a drop of liquid may appear at the entrance to the urethra. This is seminal fluid, and it may contain a small amount of sperm.

The testicles increase in size by as much as 50 per cent, rising up towards the body. And the genital area increases in sensitivity as orgasm is approached.

Orgasm is made up of two stages, but these are linked in such a way that it is impossible to have the first without the second. First sperm travel out of the testicles up the vas deferens (seminal duct) to the seminal vesicles. These vesicles produce semen, which is mixed with the sperm, and is then ready for ejaculation. About four seconds later the fluid is pushed up into and along the urethra, a result of a series of contractions made by the prostate gland and the urethral muscles. The semen is then ejaculated out of the urethra. This is an extremely exciting sensation. 

The resolution phase sees that penis returning to a non-aroused state, and loosing the erection. The physical tension, which has accompanied arousal, now disappears, and this man may feel very relaxed and sleepy.

Female Orgasm

Orgasm is a simple reflex response to sexual stimulation, and can occur as the result of a variety of sexual stimuli. The physical cycle of arousal, however, is always exactly the same. Though intensity of the experience may vary from woman to woman, and from time to time, and depend on the source of stimulation. The Americana sexologists Masters and Johnson have identified four phases of the orgasmic cycle: excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution.

The excitement phase is brought about by sexual thoughts, emotional closeness and physical attraction. The body immediately reacts with an increase in general sensitivity and response to caresses.

The sexual organs become filled with blood, so that they swell both internally and externally. The vagina expands in length and width and the vulva swells a little. Both the clitoris and labia minora (inner lips of the vulva) fill with blood and may become darker in colour. The vagina begins to lubricate itself in readiness for sexual contact.

The plateau phase follows immediately. The sexual organs become extremely sensitive, responding to the caresses of lovemaking. The vagina expands to become about two inches longer than in the non-aroused state. It is at this point that intercourse may be taking place, and sensation by the narrowing of the outer third of the vagina, making it grips the penis more easily. Lubrication of the vagina continues, and all the muscles around the sexual organs become tense in a very pleasurable way. The breasts may swell and the nipples become erect, especially if they are touched. Breathing is deep, and there may be a light rash over the upper parts of the body.

The clitoris, which is the most sensitive of the female sexual organs and where all orgasms begin, is now fully erect. Just before orgasm, it pulls itself back inside the clitoral hood.

Orgasm may now occur. There will be a rush of extremely pleasurable sensation beginning at the clitoris and moving outwards into the whole body. The muscles surrounding the vulva, vagina and anus now go into a series of spontaneous rhythmic contractions, which are delightful indeed.

The resolution phase then begins immediately after orgasm. In it, the sexual organs return to a non-aroused state.  The volume of blood, which has engorged the sexual organs slowly, drains away back into the body. Sexual interest may be aroused again almost immediately, and one or more orgasmic cycles will recommence.