Delayed Ejaculation

As many as 50 million men in the US and Europe suffer from erectile dysfunction.  Most men who report erectile dysfunction are referring to the classic definition of impotence, or the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.  This definition, however, is not inclusive of the variation of erectile dysfunction that exists.  Aside from the inability to get or maintain an erection, premature ejaculation and delayed ejaculation are also possible forms of erectile dysfunction.

Delayed ejaculation is a sexual dysfunction condition where it takes a man a prolonged period of sexual stimulation in order to ejaculate.  This condition usually means that a man needs more than 30 minutes of sexual stimulation to reach climax.  Some men with this condition are unable to ejaculate at all.  This is not necessarily a condition that affects men chronically, although it can.  Most men who experience delayed, or impaired ejaculation, only experience it occasionally.  This can occur only in specific situations or with certain partners.

There are plenty of risk factors for erectile dysfunction, like lifestyle habits like smoking, drug/medication use, nicotine and alcohol use.  For others mental health, neurological, or neurophysiological disorders are the problem. These include depression, stress, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, dementia, or neurologic disease. In a smaller subset of men hormonal abnormalities, or depleted testosterone levels are the cause. 

For delayed ejaculation, the cause might be a worsening health issue like diabetes or heart disease.  Here is a list of some common physical causes of the sexual impairment:

·       damage to the pelvic nerves

·       heart disease

·       infections, especially prostate or urinary tract infections

·       neuropathy or stroke

·       low thyroid hormone

·       low testosterone

Lifestyle habits like drug use is definitely linked to delayed ejaculation as well.  For example, habitual cocaine use may make you less able to finish what you start. Chronic cocaine use can impair sexual function in men by causing delayed or impaired ejaculation.  Furthermore, cocaine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning that it causes blood vessels to constrict, and blood vessels in the penis need to be dilated in order for an erection to occur.

If you have had a traumatic experience related to sex, then the anxiety or stress that comes from this negative perception of sex can result in delayed ejaculation.  Furthermore, like other types of sexual dysfunction, stress within a relationship, feelings of anger, or sexual disappointment can also result in delayed ejaculation.  Unfortunately the condition itself can cause anxiety and depression, resulting in worsening symptoms.

Tips to Increase Sex Drive and Have Better Sex

 

1.     Stop Smoking:

a.     Smoking can cause blood vessels to narrow, which can have a detrimental effect on blood flow to sex organs.

b.      Smoking also diminishes your stamina, limiting the amount of rigorous activity one can handle.

2.     Lose Weight:

a.     Being overweight can impact sexual desire, sex drive and performance. 

b.     This is because being overweight can reduce blood flow and lower testosterone levels.

c.     High cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, can both can cause penile arteries to shut down when arteries get clogged with fat deposits. 

d.     Erectile dysfunction leads to decreased sexual desire and libido.

3.     Hit the Gym:

a.     Moderate regular exercise has been shown to help improve blood flow to the sexual organs. 

b.     Exercises focused on thighs, buttocks and pelvis are especially good for genital circulation. 

4.     Try some sex drive boosting foods:

a.     Foods like those high in zinc, like oysters, can increase sperm production and testosterone.  (the hormone responsible for sex drive)

b.      Other foods like, flaxseeds, sardines, and nuts help to increase testosterone production and increase libido because they are high in essential fatty acids.

5.     Give herbal supplements a try

a.     Herbal remedies like tea or supplements can have a positive effect on sexual desire and even orgasm.

b.      Try ginko biloba derivatives a try, known to improve circulation and enhancing sex.

Fight the Post-Sex Blues

According to a new study published in the journal Sexual Medicine has reported that a whopping 46 percent of young women (of 200 surveyed) experience post-coital dysphoria, or the post-sex blues.  Post-coital dysphoria is the feeling of melancholy, anxiety, agitation or aggression after sex.  This post-sex sadness can last from five minutes up to two hours after sex, and for some brings on very strong feelings of depression and anxiety.

So why does this specific type of depression happen in almost half of young women?  When we have sex, we expect to be physically exhausted, relaxed and mentally at ease.  But for many, that’s clearly not the case.  Although there is little research as to why this happens, here is what scientist think might be going on.  Depression after consensual sexual activity can happen because something is missing or lacking from the relationship.  Sex is associated with love, caring, partnership among two people and physical desire.  If the right combination of all these things is not there then post-sex depression might ensue.  That means feeling depressed or regretful about the sexual experience you just had.  Some doctors have called it “buyer’s remorse” but for sex.  Having sex can also dredge up other unrelated issues within ones relationship and life.

One way to avoid these feelings is to choose the right partner who is understanding of your mental, physical and emotional needs. You should also be in tune with yourself and any body image of self-esteem issues you may have.  These are issues you may want to talk to a professional about before getting involved sexually with someone. Aside from this, what else can you do to fight this feeling of post-sex blues? If you are feeling depressed after sex but can figure out why, fight it with food!

Certain foods have been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and boost you mood, so why not try them to see if they can reduce those unwanted post sex feelings.  Here are some of the top recommended foods to combat this feeling:

1.     Pumpkin seeds: Rich in the amino acid tryptophan which helps your brain produce serotonin (your feel good hormone)

2.     Apples: Rich in antioxidants and phytoestrogens, which have been found to increase sexual pleasure

3.     Green Tea: Catechins in green tea increase blood flow and boost the libido

4.     Red Wine: Boosts sex drive and promotes relaxation

5.     Red Meat: rich in iron that can help fight fatigue, making sex more fun

6.     Spinach: rich in magnesium, that decreased inflammation in blood vessels and increases blood flow throughout the body

7.     Dark Chocolate: increases mood-boosting serotonin hormone and lowers stress levels

8.     Red Bell Peppers: high in vitamin C and vitamin A, have been shown to increase sex drive and decrease depression

9.     Salmon: High in omega-3’s which fight inflammation and reduce risk of depression

10.  Black eyed Peas: rich in folate, which has been shown to reduce depression