Psychological aspects of men's sexual health

Psychologist Tanja Jurin, Ph.D., writes about a man's sexual health and how it affects the overall quality of life.

Ciklus seksualnog odgovora i njegove faze: Razumijevanje tjelesnih i psihičkih reakcija

Sexual response cycle obuhvaća tjelesne i psihičke reakcije koje nastaju prilikom seksualnih aktivnosti, bez obzira o kojoj vrsti seksualnih aktivnosti je riječ. Najčešće se ciklus se objašnjava kao linearna izmjena četiri faze: faza seksualne želje, potom faza uzbuđenja, faza orgazma i na kraju faza razrješenja.

The desire phase denotes the psychological function of motivation and interest in sexual activity, thinking and fantasizing about sex. In the arousal phase (which can follow without the desire phase, with physical stimulation of the genitals or other erogenous zones), the most visible change in the entire cycle occurs: the erection of the penis. In addition to erection, during this phase the testicles (testicles) rise, as well as other changes in the body.

The orgasm phase includes ejaculation and orgasm: ejaculation means the ejection of semen, and orgasm is a psychological experience of great pleasure. Most often, these two events take place simultaneously, but it is also possible for them to be separated or for one to be missing. Finally, in the dissolution phase, the body returns to its pre-arousal state.

In men, a refractory period occurs after orgasm, or a period in which he cannot ejaculate again. At each of these stages, difficulties may arise. If they last long enough and cause personal suffering or interpersonal tension, we are talking about sexual disorders that can have a very negative effect on sexual health.

What are the sexual disorders in a man's sexual health that are related to the sexual response cycle?

Decreased sexual desire

Hypoactive sexual desire in men is characterized by a decrease or absence of motivation for sexual activities, disappearance or significant decrease in the appearance of sexual thoughts and fantasies; absence of initiation of sexual activity and refusal of the partner's attempts to initiate sexual activity; disappearance or reduction of excitement and pleasure during sexual activities.

Erectile disorder

Erektilni poremećaj kod muškaraca je problem postizanja ili održavanja erekcije odnosno čvrstoće penisa potrebne za seks. Prema kriterijima muškarac u barem 75% seksualnih aktivnosti ne može postići ili održati erekciju ili je rigidnost (čvrstoća) erekcije nedostatna za seksualnu aktivnost.

Premature ejaculation

Prijevremena ili preuranjena ejakulacija definira se kao seksualni poremećaj u kojem muškarac postigne orgazam te ejakulira (tj. izbaci spermu iz penisa) unutar 1 minute ili prije nego što on to želi od početka vaginalne penetracije.

Delayed ejaculation 

Delayed ejaculation is a sexual problem in which a man, despite adequate stimulation, cannot achieve ejaculation and orgasm or achieves them with great difficulty.

Ovi su poremećaji uvelike psihološki uvjetovani. Najčešći psihološki mehanizmi su neugodne emocije: tuga, sram, strah i krivnja, koje mogu biti ekstremnih intenziteta te u okviru psihičkih poremećaja i bolesti.

Nadalje, tu su i čimbenici partnerskog odnosa koji može biti problematičan dovoljno da potakne ili održi seksualni problem koji može biti prepreka male sexual health.

Attitudes about sexuality - especially men's, as well as self-image, self-confidence and the ability to surrender to pleasure are important elements in a man's sexual health.

Potentially unpleasant and even traumatic sexual experiences in the past (especially in childhood) should be carefully considered.