Sexual health problems in males: Types, causes, treatment, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What are some sexual health problems that can affect males Medically reviewed by Joseph Brito III, MD — By Beth Sissons on June 13, 2022Most people experience sexual health problems at some point in their lives. Some sexual health problems that can affect males include persistent difficulties with erections and ejaculation or a lack of sexual desire. These problems can occur for various reasons, such as underlying medical conditions, medications, mental health issues, or relationship problems. After addressing any underlying causes, doctors can easily treat most sexual health problems. This article looks at the types of sexual health problems males may experience, treatments, and tips to help prevent them. A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more. What is sexual dysfunction Share on PinterestHayden Scott/500px/Getty ImagesThe term sexual dysfunction refers to any problems related to sexual activity. These problems may interrupt or hinder sexual activity or prevent a person from wanting or enjoying sex. A person experiencing sexual dysfunction may have problems with:Sexual desire: A person who experiences problems with sexual desire may have little or no interest in sex that is not typical for them. It is different from asexuality, which is a sexual orientation. Arousal: A person may experience desire and be emotionally in the mood for sex, but their body does not respond. Orgasm: A person may be in the mood and able to have sex but may not be able to climax or achieve orgasm. Dealing with sexual dysfunction can be difficult and stressful, but there are treatment options. Sexual dysfunction can affect people of all ages, but the likelihood of experiencing sexual problems increases with age. Which types of sexual dysfunction affect males This section looks at the different types of sexual problems a person may experience and how a person can treat them. Erectile dysfunction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a recurring problem with achieving or maintaining an erection that is hard enough for sex. According to the Urology Care Foundation (UCF), ED is the most common sexual problem that males report to a healthcare professional. UCF estimates that ED affects around 30 million males. A person may have ED if they:cannot achieve an erection at any timecan achieve an erection, but it does not stay long enough to have sexcan achieve an erection sometimes, but not every time they wish to have sex ED can be a symptom of another underlying condition or health-related factor. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), males with type 2 diabetes are 2–3 times more likely to develop ED than males without diabetes. ED can affect older or younger males. Learn about how age affects ED here. Treating erectile dysfunction Treatment for ED may include:Lifestyle changes: A doctor may recommend exercise, healthy eating, and quitting smoking.Medications: These can include medications that increase blood flow to the penis, such as Viagra. A doctor may prescribe testosterone if the person has low testosterone levels in their blood. Penile injections or suppositories: Injecting medicine directly into the penis may help a person achieve an erection. A person can also insert a suppository into their urethra. Medications for this purpose include alprostadil and more.Penis pumps: These are tube-like devices that can help create and sustain an erection by pulling blood into the penis. Surgery: This should be a last resort if all other treatments have failed. Surgery may involve inserting penile implants to make the penis erect. Learn more Learn more about treating erectile dysfunction. How effective are erectile dysfunction injections?7 of the best erectile dysfunction pumpsED medication: Which pills are the most effective? Low libido Low libido, or low sex drive, is a persistent lack of interest in sex or lack of sexual desire. It is not uncommon for sexual desire to increase and decrease throughout a person’s life, depending on hormones, age, mental health, and other circumstances. However, when low libido feels distressing or impacts relationships, a person may consider it a problem. Low libido may occur as a result of medical conditions such as underactive thyroid, low testosterone levels, depression, stress, or certain medications. Find out more about low libido in men and women here. Treating low libido A doctor or healthcare professional may recommend the following treatments:Testosterone therapy: A 2017 study found that testosterone therapy improved libido in men whose testosterone levels were low. Medication: If low libido is a side effect of a medication, a doctor may suggest a change in prescription.Treating underlying conditions: Treating any underlying conditions, such as an underactive thyroid, may also help to improve a person’s sex drive. Exercise: A 2015 study showed that exercise could help men with low testosterone cope with low libido, relationship changes, and body image concerns.Therapy or counseling: A doctor may recommend this if relationship problems or mental health issues could be causing low libido. Find out 10 natural ways to increase libido here. Premature ejaculation Premature ejaculation (PE) occurs when a male ejaculates earlier than they would like during sex. People may also refer to PE as premature climax, early ejaculation, or rapid ejaculation. In the United States, PE affects around 1 in 3 males aged 18–59. Although physical causes can lead to PE, it is usually a psychological issue. PE may occur due to:low levels of serotonin in the brain, which can reduce the time it takes to ejaculatedepressionstressanxiety about sexual performancelack of confidencerelationship issuesaging Treating premature ejaculation If PE is causing problems in a relationship, making sex less enjoyable, or negatively affecting a person’s mental health, they can speak with a doctor to discuss treatment options. Treatment for PE may include:psychological therapy or counselingbehavioral therapy to train the body to delay ejaculationmedications to affect serotonin levelsapplying topical numbing creams or sprays to the penis to decrease sensation before having sex Find out about home remedies for premature ejaculation here. Delayed or inhibited ejaculation Delayed ejaculation, or inhibited ejaculation, occurs when a male is unable to ejaculate when they want to, it takes a long period of stimulation before they can ejaculate, or they are unable to ejaculate at all. Delayed or inhibited ejaculation may occur due to:certain medicationsalcohol and drug useinjury or surgery to the pelvis or genitalshormonal conditionsmultiple sclerosisnerve damagestress or tirednessaging Treating delayed ejaculation Treatment for delayed ejaculation may include:counseling or therapy switching medications vibrator or electrical stimulation of the penis to trigger ejaculation Retrograde ejaculation Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen travels backward into the bladder during ejaculation rather than out of the penis. Symptoms of retrograde ejaculation include having little to no ejaculate when reaching orgasm and urine appearing cloudy following orgasm. Retrograde ejaculation may happen as a result of:certain medications, such as some antidepressants or drugs for urinary problemssurgical procedures that may affect nerve or vascular functionsurgical procedures for prostate enlargement, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)nerve damage resulting from diabetesmedical conditions, including multiple sclerosis Treating retrograde ejaculation Treatment for retrograde ejaculation may include taking a type of medication called sympathomimetics. These stimulate the release of noradrenaline, which narrows the urethra and stops the semen from traveling backward. Generally, if patients develop retrograde ejaculation as a result of certain medications, the issue will subside when the medication is stopped. However, if it is a result of surgery, retrograde ejaculation is generally not reversible. What causes sexual dysfunction in males A range of mental, emotional, or physical issues can cause sexual dysfunction in males. This section looks at some common causes. Mental health: Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress can play a part in affecting sexual function.Physical health: Physical health issues that may lead to sexual dysfunction can include hormone imbalances and diabetes. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, and using drugs can also cause sexual dysfunction. Age: According to research, sexual dysfunction is common in males of all different ages, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds, with 52% of males aged 40–70 experiencing sexual dysfunction to varying degrees. According to a 2019 review, aging impacts sexual function. This may be due to the development or progression of certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular issues.Learn more Find out more about sexual health in males. Overcoming sexual performance anxietyHow does diabetes affect your sex life?Is the male menopause real? Preventing male sexual health problems People can take steps to protect their physical and mental health, which may help prevent sexual dysfunction. These steps include:maintaining a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress managementkeeping any existing health conditions under controlachieving and maintaining a healthy weightavoiding cigarettes, alcohol, and drugsconsidering psychotherapy if a mental health issue is affecting sexual function or enjoymenttalking to healthcare professional if a medication could be causing sexual dysfunctionLearn more Find out more about maintaining sexual health. Foods to eat for better sexThe benefits of sexercise and how to practice itHow men can improve their sexual performance Getting help If a person has any symptoms of sexual dysfunction, it is important to contact a doctor or other healthcare professional. People may also find the following resources helpful:Planned ParenthoodThe National Institutes of Health (NIH)The American Society for Reproductive MedicineThe American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists People may also find it helpful to talk with their partner for emotional support or consider seeing a relationship or sex therapist if relationship issues could be a factor in sexual dysfunction. Sex and relationships Experiencing sexual problems may be difficult and can often put a strain on a sexual relationship. However, there are ways to improve overall well-being and satisfaction in a relationship. A 2020 study collected data from 229 people who experienced “desire discrepancy” in their relationships. This means that one of the people in a couple had lower libido than the other. The study found that communicating and engaging in other sexual or non-sexual activities can be helpful to couples experiencing desire discrepancy. Learn more Learn more about sex and relationships What to know about mismatched sex drivesHow often should couples have sex? Summary Sexual dysfunction is the term for a range of disorders affecting sexual function. If people have persistent problems affecting erections, ejaculation, or sex drive, they may need to contact a doctor or healthcare professional. Sexual dysfunction can occur due to underlying health conditions, psychological reasons, or medication. Depending on the cause, lifestyle changes, medical treatments, or therapy may help to treat sexual dysfunction. Last medically reviewed on June 13, 2022Men's HealthSexual Health / STDs 12 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Chen, L., et al. (2019). Male sexual dysfunction: A review of literature on its pathological mechanisms, potential risk factors, and herbal drug intervention. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332218353289Chung, E. (2019). Sexuality in ageing male: Review of pathophysiology and treatment strategies for various male sexual dysfunctions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835548/Delayed ejaculation. (2022). https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/delayed-ejaculationErectile dysfunction (ED). (2018). https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)Hamilton, K., et al. (2015). Sexuality and exercise in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-014-2327-8Parnham, A., et al. (2016). Retrograde ejaculation, painful ejaculation and hematospermia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5002007/Premature ejaculation. (2020). https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/premature-ejaculationRizk, P. J., et al. (2017). Testosterone therapy improves erectile function and libido in hypogonadal men. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5649360/Sexuality and intimacy in older adults. (2022). https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sexuality-and-intimacy-older-adultsShigehara, K., et al. (2021). Risk factors affecting decreased libido among middle-aged to elderly men: Nocturnal voiding is an independent risk factor of decreased libido. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8498958/Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction. (2017). https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causesVowels, L. M., et al. (2020). Strategies for mitigating sexual desire discrepancy in relationships.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7058563/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Joseph Brito III, MD — By Beth Sissons on June 13, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhy is my sex drive so high?Medically reviewed by Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST Why am I so horny, and what are the causes of a high sex drive? 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