Male sexual disorders are common fodder for today’s sitcoms and late-night talk shows, and by now everyone’s familiar with the “little blue pill,” thanks to Viagra having been praised by celebrities like Hugh Hefner and Bob Dole. Less often publicized, however, are the more unusual disorders that can interfere with a sex life just as quickly, and sometimes more profoundly… sexual problems that can render ejaculation impossible, prevent intercourse altogether or even require emergency medical attention, lest permanent penile damage occur. Read on to learn more about these strange sexual disorders and the methods used to treat them.
Retrograde ejaculation
What happens: You reach orgasm but only ejaculate a very small quantity of semen, if anything. This happens because the bladder’s sphincter is not functioning properly, causing semen to be redirected inward, instead of outward.
What causes it: Antidepressant and anti-psychotic medications can be the culprits, and this can also be caused by complications from diabetes or surgical procedures involving the urethra or prostate.
Treatment: With retrograde ejaculation, treatment often isn’t medically necessary unless fertility is an issue. If so, your doctor may recommend medications like pseudoephedrine to counter the problem. It’s often effective, but as it can lead to erectile dysfunction, you may prefer to go untreated.
Sexsomnia
What happens: You carry out sex acts during your sleep, fully unaware that you are doing so. The behavior may be limited to your own bedroom, or you might actually leave your home, sleepwalk to your girlfriend’s house and have a night of wild sex that you won’t remember in the morning.
What causes it: Also known as “arousal parasomnia,” sexsomnia is a legitimate sleep disorder, and many people suffering from it have a history of sleepwalking as well. These disorders are caused by a miscommunication between the body and mind during the fourth and fifth stages of REM sleep.
Treatment: Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to treat sexsomnia. After being properly diagnosed by a physician, they will most likely prescribe a common sleep aid, such as Valium. This will keep you physically immobilized during those sleep stages where the body was previously acting out dreams.
Male orgasmic disorder
What happens: You experience normal excitement and arousal stages, but are unable to orgasm, even after more-than-adequate amounts of stimulation.
What causes it: Male orgasmic disorder can be caused by many things. It could be psychological, resulting from stress, performance anxiety and things of that nature. It could also be a side effect of some medications, antidepressants in particular. Or, it could be the result of surgery, such as prostatectomy.
Treatment: Counseling can often resolve the disorder if the root cause is psychological. If it’s a medical complication, the issue is often corrected by a simple change in medication or the prescription of something new.
More on strange sexual disorders…
Phimosis
What happens: It becomes very difficult or impossible to retract the foreskin.
What causes it: This strange sexual disorder can be caused by specific skin conditions affecting the penis, such as balanitis xerotica obliterans. It could also be the result of various infections or complications from diabetes.
Treatment: Treatment is not always necessary, but the matter can sometimes be resolved via masturbation or other forms of manual stretching. In other cases, steroidal creams may be helpful. If the problem persists, circumcision may be the best solution.
Coital cephalalgia
What happens: You experience a nearly debilitating headache just before orgasm, whether it be during masturbation or intercourse. Pain behind the eyes is sometimes reported as well, and the entire episode can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.
What causes it: Doctors aren’t certain of what causes it, but it’s estimated that 10% of men using erectile dysfunction medications could suffer from this disorder. In rare cases, these sexual headaches could indicate a tumor or worse, so it’s important you seek medical attention if you are experiencing them.
Treatment: Abstinence is the most commonly prescribed treatment, but sometimes exercise and weight loss are recommended as well. In some cases, drugs like propranolol can prevent the headaches if taken prior to any sexual activity.
live and learn
While these strange sexual disorders can cause great embarrassment for anyone suffering from them, it’s important you see your physician as soon as you notice the symptoms. If you don’t, they are likely to continue and possibly worsen. Uncommon as they may be, you are not the first man to experience these conditions, and you will not be the last; the sooner you seek treatment, the sooner your sex life will be back on track.
When David Duchovny, star of the over-sexed TV series Californication, voluntarily checked himself into rehab for sex addiction, one thing became clear: Sexual disorders make for a great read. While the majority of male sexual disorders we hear about today seem like simple regurgitations of late-night infomercials — impotence, premature ejaculation, and so on — there are still those strange sexual disorders that fly under the radar.
Though we’ve tackled this topic before in Strange Sexual Disorders – Part I, here’s a fresh batch of strange sexual disorders for you to learn about.
Sexual addiction
What happens: The term “sexual addiction” is a tad controversial and tends to be thrown around carelessly. Typically, it’s used to describe the behavior of a person who has an obsession with sex to the point where it becomes clinically significant. The sex addict will usually resort to risk-taking to get their fix; often progressing to illegal activities, despite that they are rarely ever satisfied. Hypersexuality, the compulsive need for frequent genital stimulation, may also result from this strange sexual disorder.
What causes it: Causes of sexual addiction are difficult to pinpoint. Some point toward biochemical causes, while others cite social conditioning forces or emotional issues. It’s likely that a variety of factors come into play. Getting specific, hypersexuality is sometimes associated with bipolar disorder and recent head trauma.
Treatment: Bring on the therapists! Treatment is complex and multifaceted. First off, other addictions need to be identified. Sex addicts then usually turn to counseling, and self- and group-help techniques. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications may be helpful in curbing the sex addict’s need to act out.
Priapism
What happens: Named after Priapus, the Greek god of fertility, priapism is indeed a strange and horrific sexual disorder. Think of it as a permanent binge on Viagra — the erect penis simply does not return to a flaccid state, even when there is no stimulation. Despite the comedic appeal, priapism is a medical emergency and a strange sexual disorder.
What causes it: Priaprism is likely influenced by both neurological and vascular factors. Other medical conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia, leukemia and spinal chord trauma, contribute (priapism has been observed in hanging victims). It may also be caused by medications, most notably those used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ironic?).
Treatment: Guys, if you have an erection lasting for more than four hours, go to the emergency department immediately. No, this is not something to brag about. Serious complications can occur, including the gangrenous loss of the penis. Blood will need to be drawn from the penis, and decongestants may be injected. Surgery is a last resort.
Read on for more strange sexual disorders…
Dyspareunia
What happens: Sexual intercourse should be a joyful experience, but for some, the experience can be painful: dyspareunia. While this affliction is more common in women, there are still a few men who suffer from this strange sexual disorder.
What causes it: Dyspareunia can be caused by psychological or physical mechanisms, although in women, and especially in men, physical causes dominate. The type of pain depends on the cause. Burning, itching or sharp pain following ejaculation may be caused by infection. Peyronie’s disease, which causes bending of the penis, can make sex painful, as can common penile skin disorders. If the vagina is too tight or if a stitch is left following birth, penile pain during sex may result as well. Lastly, don’t discount the psychological: Guilt, anger or embarrassment can influence pain levels during or after sex.
Treatment: Because the causes are so diverse, treatment varies. If unsure, see a doctor. Don’t hesitate; why spoil one of life’s great treasures?
Paraphilias
What happens: Put simply, paraphilias are the stuff that all true sexual fetishes and fantasies are made of. More specifically, a paraphilia involves a six-month period of recurrent intense, sexually arousing fantasies or sexual urges involving a specific act, depending on the paraphilia. Voyeurism, exhibitionism, zoophilia, pedophilia, and necrophilia are all examples. In fact, the list is never-ending.
What causes them: Let the confusion continue: There are many theories out there regarding the cause of paraphilias, including pscyhoanalytical, biological and sociobological theories; however, none are really conclusive and, thus, the subject still requires more research.
Treatment: As is the case with many mental illness, psychotherapy, medication, sex education, and therapy are all viable treatment options depending on the paraphilia. In some cases, however, treatment isn’t necessary: If it ain’t hurtin’ nobody…
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