All posts by SRH Matters

When a Man Has Difficulty Having an Orgasm

When a Man Has Difficulty Having an Orgasm

2015-04-17

If you read a lot about sex online, you’ll come across the statistic that one-third of women cop to not having an orgasm with their partner. But we rarely hear about such problems with men. When we do, it’s the man not lasting long enough. Though less common, some guys rather than having premature ejaculation (PE) experience delayed ejaculation. This is when it takes a man entirely too long to have an orgasm. What’s too long? This is where things get tricky. How long sex should last is completely subjective and varies from person to person. But if it leaves his partner frustrated, worried or causes pain and discomfort, it is a problem. Some men have great difficulty achieving orgasm and this can be a problem too. One cause is over-masturbation. When a man gets used to a certain kind of pressure, technique or speed, he may be conditioned to only orgasm in that way. Also, the more stimulation the penis gets, the more it desensitizes it. Another aspect, the more times he’s ejaculated, the longer it will take for another orgasm to occur. If this is the case you should quit masturbation for one or two weeks and then try having sex again.

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Do you watch too much porn? This may go hand in hand with masturbation. But some guys condition themselves into having an orgasm only to certain kinds of visual stimulation. If you fancy porn with threesomes, then only seeing a ménage-a-trios will do. Again, cease this activity for one or two weeks and see if that helps. Certain medications can affect sexual experience. Narcotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, heart medication and others can interfere with hormones, blood flow and other related aspects within the body. A talk with the doctor and a change in prescription or dosage usually clears the problem up. Some guys have a few drinks to take the edge off before a night of passion. But if you overdo it, it can interfere with the whole process. An infection or other health problem may be at fault. Or it could be psychological stemming from anxiety, most likely performance anxiety. Find the root cause and you will discover how to undo the problem.

Drinks that Increase or Dampen your Sex Drive

Drinks that Increase or Dampen your Sex Drive

2015-04-15

When it comes time to order a drink, do you ever consider your sex life in the decision? Most men don’t. But what’s in your cup may be ramping up your libido or killing it. Lots of times when we have a drink, we never even consider how it will affect our sex drive. But believe it or not, what’s filling your glass may give you a boost or hinder your desire, even your ability to perform. Here are some drinks that increase your sex drive and others that dampen it. A lot of guys use booze to loosen up, shake off the jitters and get into the mood. But in fact, it can have the opposite effect, making you too sluggish to “get-it-on.” One or two drinks might be okay, but any more than that and you are risking a night of celibacy. For those who have functioning issues, perhaps skip the alcohol altogether. Whatever you do, don’t have a gin and tonic. Quinine, the active ingredient in tonic, was shown to lower testosterone in one German study.

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The cooler months bring with them a delicious treat, apple cider. Try it warm with some cinnamon and cloves. Cinnamon is a proven libido booster for men, and cloves give the reproductive system an overall boost. Some guys are soda guys. No matter where they go, they always order a cola. But all of that sugar isn’t good for your waistline. Extra body fat sucks up testosterone, lowering your sex drive and functionality. For those who opt for diet soda, look out for the artificial sweetener, aspartame. This has been proven to lower sex drive. Why not sweeten some lemon seltzer or fresh iced tea with honey instead? Honey aids in the production of testosterone and so helps stoke the fires of desire. Try honey in ginseng tea. Ginseng was shown in one South Korean study to go so far as to reverse ED. Now that you know, you can select a beverage that will get your engine running, instead of having one that revs but never starts.

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Researchers Prove BPA Halts Sperm Production

Researchers Prove BPA Halts Sperm Production

It has long been suspected but an element in some plastics known as bisphenol-A or BPA has now been proven to interrupt sperm production.  University of Washington scientists conducted the study that has just proven so, published in the journal PLOS Genetics. The team showed that BPA disrupts DNA interactions which are pivotal in making sperm. Lead investigator, geneticist Pat Hunt and her colleagues say they may have proven a theory behind the phenomenon called the “sperm crisis” or the plummeting of male sperm counts in industrialized countries around the world. Sperm levels in first world nations have been in decline since the 1950’s. But the phenomenon wasn’t discovered until Danish scientists noticed this disturbing trend in the 1990’s. The case for one theory dubbed the “estrogen hypothesis,” was strengthened by this research. This is where endocrine disruptors in the environment, which register in the body as estrogen, enter men’s bodies and interfere with sperm production.  Hunt says though they went in through the “back door” this research gives insight into the sudden drop in male fertility in recent decades.

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The hormone estradiol was also found to affect men’s sperm counts. This is the birth control hormone which is allowed to pass through sewage treatment plants untreated. BPA is known to be in food containers, plastic drink bottles and the lining of certain cans. In this experiment, baby male mice were given doses of BPA orally. They were also administered synthetic estradiol. Those exposed to these while their testes were developing saw poorer meiosis—the process in which genetic material of the parent is packaged for delivery in the sperm. As a result, less sperm were produced correctly and so perished. Hunt has predicted that with each subsequent generation exposed, human sperm counts could continue to fall. Hunt’s words in the report are haunting. Noting that this phenomenon has been going on for decades, and with male infertility becoming more prominent, she asks, what happens after several generations have passed and also, “Are we creating the perfect storm?”

Sex Toy Helps Couples get Pregnant

Sex Toy Helps Couples get Pregnant

Before Stephanie Berman’s invention, men with sexual dysfunction or disabilities, same-sex female couples and others who wanted to get pregnant had few sexy or romantic options. The seed which led to Berman’s invention was that she and her wife wanted to get pregnant, but the options available felt too cold, clinical and unloving. They wanted something more romantic and sexy. Besides a visit to a physician, the choices at the time were a turkey baster or a needleless syringe for use in insemination. Since she works in female reproductive health, she decided to develop something couples could use to make assisted pregnancy fun, safe, engaging and feel more like a bonding experience than a calculated, medical treatment. The result was Semenette. This is a dildo that has a pump used to engage ejaculation, making the process enjoyable and providing a more natural insemination experience. It can be used singly or with a partner.

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Now the inventor and entrepreneur is launching a crowd-funding campaign to bring about the next generation; the Semenette 2.0. Any couple struggling to get pregnant knows that it can take a heavy financial and emotional toll. This product can inject more fun into the experience. Berman says her product allows for intimacy, authenticity and privacy. It can also involve both partners in an enjoyable and engaging way. The newer version will come in different colors and sizes. Berman plans to use a silicon blend to make it slightly softer and give it a more realistic feel. Also the newer version will include a larger bulb, giving it the ability to deliver more fluid. Heterosexual couples who have been trying for 12 months without success should see a fertility specialist. If interested in using the Semenette for your fertilization needs, why not broach the subject with your doctor or specialist? They may not be familiar with it, so be sure to bring some information with you to your next visit. There’s no reason why such a process has to be cold and clinical. Now, every child can be created through a warm, deeply connected and loving process.

Overcoming Common Condom Problems

Overcoming Common Condom Problems

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are still a major issue today. In the U.S. 50,000 new cases of HIV occur each year. But that isn’t the only STI to watch for, one in six Americans ages 14 to 49 have genital herpes. There is even a strain of treatment-resistant gonorrhea going around.  One solution, condoms are easy to use, give great protection and are widely available. But many guys have problems using them. The truth is most of these problems are easy to overcome. In fact, lots of guys have happy, fulfilling sex lives while using condoms. Just a little knowledge can help any guy get over the frustration this method can cause. Here are some common condom problems and how to overcome them. Some guys hate having to stop in the middle of things to look for a condom. Why not place them all over the house? That way, there’s always one right in arm’s reach. Instead of stopping the action, make putting one on a part of foreplay.Have your partner put it on you. Or engage some sexy talk as you put it on, telling your partner how good they look and what you’re going to do to them.

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

One of the most common complaints is the inability to feel anything while wearing one. Luckily, there are lots of options on the market today. There are ultra-thin condoms. Another option is the polyurethane variety. This transfers body heat which can add sensation. If this doesn’t work for you, seek out an Okamoto condom, the thinnest kind allowed by the FDA. Another common complaint is the lack of friction. Most guys are familiar with “ribbed for her pleasure.” But there are ones that stimulate the man too. Some guys say the condom they use doesn’t fit right. But there are so many sizes, shapes and varieties on the market to choose from. Do a little research and see which option is best for you. Why not grab your partner and go shopping for condoms together? There are flavored ones, numbing ones to make you last longer and even condoms that glow in the dark.

Birth Control Access Significant in Addressing Climate Change

Birth Control Access Significant in Addressing Climate Change

2015-03-30

In Pakistan 4.2 million births per each year are unintended. About one-third of married Pakistani women desire access to birth control, according to an organization called the Population Reference Bureau. Yet the growing population there and elsewhere throughout the world is putting more pressure on the earth’s resources and increasing emissions, a very bad scenario when considering climate change. This could lead to a scarcity of food and water along with an increase in extreme weather events. Population growth impacts erosion, deforestation and many other aspects of climate change as well.Experts say more women throughout the world desire access to birth control, and a widespread program could help address their needs and climate change all at once. This would not be forcing women to take birth control but instead extending it to women who desire access to it but have none. Still, both of these concepts, birth control and climate change, remain controversial, stymying the effort to enact a smart, worldwide population control policy.

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Experts say better education, health, more resources and a brighter future come with family planning. But the stigma against its use in some cultures and the denial of climate change by certain ideologies compound the issue, making it harder to gain ground. Even so, an international coalition of experts on contraception, climate change and development are coming together, asking for a worldwide family planning program which is to be dovetailed into the latest version of the UN Sustainable Development Goals coming out this September. An organization called the Population and Sustainability Network says that some developing countries such as Ethiopia are already putting contraception programs in place. So there may be more reception to this in the global south than first thought. The Green Climate Fund could perhaps step in to financially support a worldwide contraception program. The Green Climate Fund plans to distribute $10 billion in donated funds to developing nations in order to help them adapt to climate change and create pathways for sustainable development.

Age-related Penis Changes

Age-related Penis Changes

Our bodies change as we age. Some men rage against this but it’s best to learn what they are and how to accommodate them. Certainly, life can be just as satisfying as long as we continue or begin to pursue a healthy lifestyle.  Though we often understand what age-related changes in other parts of the body and other systems mean and how to compensate, we often ignore the sexual and reproductive aspects of aging. Here are some things to understand, consider and watch out for.First, skin color changes are common. Our skin often gets mottled. But the skin on the penis may also change in color. Another thing that may lighten its color is atherosclerosis. This is blood restriction, common in older people. As long as functionality remains the same or similar, there is nothing to worry about. Changes in skin color don’t come on all at once. Instead, these happen gradually over time, beginning after age 40. Make sure to have a regular annual physical and checkups with your doctor.  But otherwise, this is nothing to worry about.

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Couple touching foreheads in bed

Something else that often worries men is the penis may shrink just a tad. A centimeter to one and a half centimeters could be lost by the time a man is in his 60’s or 70’s. This occurs due to lack of blood flow and a natural drop in testosterone.  A lot of men gain weight in middle-age and this can make the penis appear smaller as well. Testosterone also makes the nerves of the penis sensitive to the touch. But a drop in testosterone may make it less sensitive. This means it could take longer to reach orgasm. Also, erections tend not to be as firm due to an age-related lack of blood flow.  Some experts suggest having an erection every day, purposely if needed as a kind of exercise. Urinary issues may also arise such as frequent urination, not feeling as though the bladder is completely empty and so on. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing such things. This may be just an enlarged prostate. But it may also be prostate cancer. Lastly, 5% of men over 40 and 15% of those over 70 experience erectile dysfunction. This can be due to a series of different health-related issues such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Be sure to address the issue with your physician.

How Come There’s no Male Contraceptive Pill Yet?

How Come There’s no Male Contraceptive Pill Yet?

2015-03-17

Once the female birth control pill hit the market, the Sexual Revolution was in full swing. Since that time, scientists have been trying to develop a male counterpart to “the pill” without success. But why? How come there’s no male contraceptive pill yet? It has to do with the complexity of the male reproductive system. You can use low-levels of hormones to trick a woman’s body into thinking she is pregnant, and thus inhibit ovulation. But there is no equivalent to stopping a man’s body from producing sperm.  Some studies have tried a hormonal approach but were halted due to a high rate of side effects. Another problem is that sperm production occurs on a 90-day cycle. That means that if you stop a man’s sperm production today, he would still be fertile for another three months. Researchers are now looking at the problem from other angles, such as making sperm unable to swim or obstructing fertilization.

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Pharmaceutical companies are also a stumbling block. They are afraid of taking on liability. If a man takes such a birth control pill and it fails to work or he experiences side effects, he may sue. So scientists are hemmed in trying to develop a male birth control alternative that has few side effects, yet is effective. Some women are also wary as to whether their man will take a pill each day unwaveringly. Men are interested in such a form of contraception, at least in the U.S. One survey showed that 50% of men would take a male birth control pill if it were on the market today.  Researcher Michael O’ Rand at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is working on a method that alters the protein Eppin which in turn interferes with how the sperm swim. If they can’t reach the egg fertilization cannot occur. An Indonesian team is working with an herbal remedy called Genda?russa, which also inhibits fertilization. This was discovered from a tribe in Papua New Guinea who make tea out of the herb as a method of birth control. The last method is Vasalgel. This is a polymer injected into each vas deferens tubule in order to block sperm from entering the semen. This chemical vasectomy is reversible and the closest one to FDA approval, which is still years away.

What to Do after You’ve Had Unprotected Sex

What to Do after You’ve Had Unprotected Sex

When it comes to unprotected sex, it’s easy to judge others. But most of us aren’t perfect. In fact, few people have not had some type of scare whether it is forgetting to use protection, a condom breakage or slippage, or some other situation. The first thing to do is to remain calm. Panicking is not going to help. Consider whether or not you have any symptoms. For men a discharge, pain when urinating and any sores or rashes in and around the genital area should be seen by a doctor. For women painful urination, a discharge, sores, itching and unexpected bleeding are symptoms that could indicate an infection. If your partner has symptoms and you don’t, get tested anyway. Chances are you have it too but aren’t showing symptoms yet. Remember that no matter where a woman is in her cycle, unprotected sex always has the risk of pregnancy. The rhythm method does not protect against it. For those who are concerned, emergency contraception is available at many clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices and pharmacies.

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fedup young man pulling funny face on white background

Preparation is a good way to avoid this from happening in the future. Be sure to select condoms that fit. It is not as many believe one-size-fits-all. For those who incorporate sex toys or engage in oral sex, these too can spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Wash toys before and after using them with a gentle, hypoallergenic soap and warm water. For oral sex, use a dental dam. Don’t think just because you don’t have symptoms that you don’t have an STI. Half of men and 70-80% of women with chlamydia don’t experience any kind of symptoms. Many other STIs such as HIV and herpes can hide in the body for years, even decades without the person knowing they have it. After unprotected sex, get tested. It generally takes between two weeks and three months after exposure for an STI to show up on a diagnostic test. There’s no excuse for not protecting yourself. Everyone slips up now and then. It isn’t the end of the world. But be prepared, be vigilant and safeguard yourself against unwanted pregnancy and STIs.

Foods that Help with Premature Ejaculation

Foods that Help with Premature Ejaculation

One of the most common male sexual problems is premature ejaculation (PE). It can be frustrating, embarrassing and emasculating. There are lots of ways to learn how to delay ejaculation. Kegel exercises, practicing elements of tantric sex, pausing, changing positions and stopping to squeeze gently behind the head of the penis, are some things you can do to elongate performance. There are also medications and other medical treatments for chronic cases. Your diet can play a role. Eating the right foods can help you last longer and in turn give your partner more pleasure. Here are some foods that can inhibit premature ejaculation.Asparagus is one vegetable that suffers a lot of controversy.Some people love it, while others recoil in horror at the mere sight of it. But nutritionists know that it is a potent superfood jam-packed with nutrients, including high levels of vitamin-E and iodine that can improve health including sexual health. Periodically eating asparagus will keep your system running in tiptop condition.

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Blueberries are not only delicious, they are good for you. The round, purplish orbs have properties that dilate the vasculature or blood vessels. Blood vessel restriction due to plaque buildup is the most common cause of sexual dysfunction in men. This boost may also help you feel more confident and so last longer. Some are even calling blueberries nature’s “little blue pill.” Certainly no one eats cloves outright. But they are a great addition to baked goods, ham, certain teas (hello chai latte) and more. Cloves have been part of folk medicine for centuries in many different cultures, and one of its properties is male virility. Some men experience PE due to anxiety, particularly performance anxiety. Winter Cherry, also known as Indian Ginseng, can calm you, and thus alleviate anxiety.Regular ginseng has also been said to improve male sexual performance. As always, it’s important to address any medical concerns such as chronic PE with your physician.