Male Impotence Myths
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said: "There
are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets
knowledge, the latter ignorance". Those words still ring
true today.
Many of the myths and legends about impotence,
borne out of ignorance thousands of years ago, still influence
our sexual culture. Primitive cultures believed that male virility
was intricately interwoven with power, wealth and domination.
So it's not surprising that beliefs still persist
in a number of cultures that to lack virility, or worse still,
to be impotent, is to lack the very essence of life. Manhood and
the "ability to perform" are inextricably linked, so
impotence is viewed as a "lack of manhood".
Despite the fact that the twentieth century brought
about radical changes in gender roles, on ethnic, economic, social
and cultural levels, sexuality and impotence are still shrouded
in mystery, secrecy and a good deal of confusion.
Myth #1 - "Real men" don't experience impotence
ALL men over the age of 30 experience impotence
as least once in their lifetime. It's estimated that over 150
million men worldwide have impotence; in fact, reports suggest
this figure could be as high as 300 million or more. Estimating
the numbers is difficult because less than 2 men in 10 seek treatment
for impotence problems.
Impotence (or erectile dysfunction) is defined
as the inability to produce and maintain an erection sufficient
for sexual intercourse. Impotence is not considered to include
lack of libido, inability to ejaculate or achieve orgasm, a lack
of strength or the loss of "manhood".
Myth #2 - Impotence is "all in the mind"
Less than 20% of impotence cases have a primary
psychological cause. The majority of men with impotence have an
underlying physical condition such as diabetes, heart disease,
high blood pressure or prostate cancer. Stress, anxiety and loss
of self-esteem are often secondary psychological factors that
occur if the impotence remains undiagnosed and untreated.
Myth #3 - Impotence is a natural part of growing old
Although it's evident that the chances of experiencing
impotence increase with age, this is largely due to the increased
risk of having an underlying physical condition such as diabetes,
high blood pressure or heart disease. To compound this factor,
a number of medications prescribed for these conditions can cause
impotence.
Myth #4 - There is no "cure" for impotence
Although medical science hasn't come up with
a permanent "cure" for impotence, a number of very effective
therapies are available. Oral medications such as Viagra have
revolutionized the treatment of impotence, however impotence pills
don't work for everyone. Other safe and effective treatments include
vacuum pumps, injections and penile implants.
Once the impotence is effectively treated, most
men go on to lead active, satisfying sex lives.
Myth #5 - Impotence is a man's problem
Both partners in a relationship can experience
problems when impotence goes untreated. Often failure to communicate
and denial of the problem lead to depression, anxiety, and lack
of self-esteem for both partners. A tendency to avoid sexual contact
can often leave the partner feeling unloved, unattractive and
unwanted.
Myth #6 - Impotence is too embarrassing to discuss with anyone
A number of men find it very difficult to discuss
any problems they may be experiencing, particularly impotence.
Impotence can often be the symptom of an underlying medical condition
and won't simply "go away" if it remains untreated.
Once the condition is diagnosed, suitable treatment
can begin immediately and the problem can usually be alleviated.
Myth #7 - Men should know all about sex
The general consensus of opinion is that men
instinctively know how to have sex. But clinical studies confirm
that impotence can result from lack of knowledge and ignorance
about the "mechanics" of sex.
A common misconception is that sex is a simple
and straightforward process for men. Not true. Many men find it
difficult to discuss the subject, and asking questions would reveal
their ignorance and lack of knowledge and possibly threaten their
masculinity. Media images of the virile male in action only serve
to further alienate those men who don't understand "the basics".
Talking to a specialist counselor or therapist
will quickly clear up any misconceptions and help overcome problems
due to lack of knowledge.
Myth #8 - Men always want sex
The myth that men are always "ready, willing
and able" is simply not true. The commonly held misconception
of the "dominant male" has been proven to damage the
sexual, physical and psychological wellbeing of a number of men.
A recent Swedish study on sexuality and marriage
carried out on 286 couples of varying ages found that men who
perceived themselves to be the "dominant male" were
more likely to experience temporary impotence if sex was requested
by their partner, when they weren't in the mood.
Healthy relationships should be about equal partnerships,
good communication and respect for the feelings of both individuals.
It's not uncommon for one partner to want more frequent sexual
activity, and sexual desires can fluctuate between partners and
at various times. Discussing these issues reasonably and rationally
so that each partner understands the needs of the other helps
maintain a happy and healthy sexual relationship.
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