For a lot of people, sexual health is essential in living a happy and fulfilling life. It allows them to create relationships and form bonds that help improve their quality of life. In men, there are many things that can threaten their sexual health, caused by physical, mental, and other factors. The following are three of the most common:

1. Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a condition characterized by the inability to achieve and sustain an erection for sex. Also sometimes called impotence, it is an ongoing kind of problem caused by underlying health conditions, mental issues, and others, and can bring about stress, self-esteem, and relationship problems.

What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is very common in older men, but it can strike even those that are in their 20s and 30s. Among its common symptoms are:

• • Difficulty getting an erection even after some sexual stimulation
  • Difficulty maintaining a firm and long-lasting erection

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Various physical and psychological factors can cause erectile dysfunction.

If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, obesity, Parkinson’s disease, and Peyronie’s disease, your risk of erectile dysfunction is high. Also, if you have mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, you are more likely to develop it.

Other common causes of erectile dysfunction are certain medications and drugs, stress, relationship problems, alcoholism and substance abuse, and undergoing surgeries and treatments for prostate cancer and other pelvic or spinal cord complications.

What should you do to prevent erectile dysfunction?

Doctors advise living a healthy lifestyle to protect against erectile dysfunction. By eating a healthy and balanced diet, exercising on a regular basis, and quitting smoking or excessive alcohol drinking, you can lower your risk of heart problems and other health conditions that can negatively impact your sexual health.

In addition, regular doctor visits and medical exams are instrumental in detecting any diseases early on, allowing you to get a proper diagnosis and treatment solution before things get much worse.

2. Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is a condition in which ejaculation or the release of semen from a man’s body occurs sooner than a man or his sex partner would like during sexual intercourse. Sometimes also referred to as early ejaculation, rapid ejaculation, or premature climax, it can bring a lot of embarrassment, frustration, and dissatisfaction in the bedroom.

What are the symptoms of premature ejaculation?

You may have premature ejaculation if you experience its symptoms more frequently than you would like to. If you ejaculate within 60 seconds of penetration, do not have control of or fail to delay your ejaculation until your sex partner is appropriately pleasured, or you have feelings of frustration, distress, and hesitations when it comes to sexual intimacy, you may likely be diagnosed with it.

Ejaculating prematurely once in a while should not be a cause for concern. However, if it occurs frequently, you have to go see your doctor.

What causes premature ejaculation?

There are a number of things that can negatively affect a man’s ejaculation.

According to certain studies, serotonin levels in the brain can influence how soon a man ejaculates during sex. If your serotonin levels are high, you can extend the time before you ejaculate, giving you and your partner sufficient time to enjoy your intimate moments more. However, if your serotonin levels are low, you may find yourself ejaculating sooner, leading to premature ejaculation.

Another major factor in premature ejaculation is mental health. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or some other mental health problem, you may not be able to perform as well as you would like in the bedroom. If you are always stressed, have low self-confidence, or are dealing with relationship problems, you may also encounter ejaculation issues.

How is premature ejaculation treated?

To treat premature ejaculation, medical professionals use a variety of methods, depending on the cause of the problem.

If your premature ejaculation is due to your poor emotional and mental health, you may be advised to undergo psychological therapy. If it is caused by physical factors, you may be prescribed medications that come in the form of creams or pills that can help you last longer in bed.

3. Low testosterone

Low testosterone is a medical condition characterized by the inability to produce enough testosterone. In men, testosterone is primarily produced in the testes, and it helps in many different bodily functions and processes, including the formation of muscles and bones, development of the sexual and reproductive organs and parts, and production of red blood cells.

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

Low testosterone can strike men of all ages, and among its common signs and symptoms are a decrease in libido or sex drive, inability to get or keep an erection, low energy levels or fatigue, underdeveloped sexual and reproductive organs, muscle and bone loss, and mood swings and mental and emotional health issues.

What causes low testosterone?

In men, testosterone levels are considered normal if they are between 270 and 1,070 nanograms per deciliter. If yours fall below this range, you have low testosterone.

The amount of testosterone that the body produces as a man ages gradually decreases. Thus, it is common for older men to have lower testosterone levels than younger ones. However, sometimes, testosterone levels can drop due to other factors, such as injury to the testicles, alcohol abuse, kidney disease, liver disease, HIV or AIDS, obesity, and diabetes.

How do you treat low testosterone?

If you have been diagnosed by your doctor with low testosterone levels, you have to discuss with them what the best treatment option for you is.

In many cases, men with low testosterone are prescribed by their doctors to take testosterone replacement therapy to boost their testosterone. This treatment option comes in different forms, such as intramuscular injections, which is administered by injecting one shot of testosterone directly into the muscle every two weeks; testosterone skin patches, which is a patch that contains testosterone and is usually applied onto the neck, arms, shoulders, back, or buttocks everyday; and testosterone gels, which can introduce testosterone into your body by applying a small amount onto your skin daily.