Enhance Your Performance
Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Sexual performance is an
issue that men are
always concerned about
but seldom dared to ask
about. What exactly is
normal? Where can
I get help? We explore
these issues with
doctors from Raffles
Hospital.
|
Did you know?
If it is good for your heart, body and mind, it is also good for your sex life. |
|
“I’ve had
many male
patients
from all
walks of
life coming
to my
clinic,”
said
Dr Fong Yan
Kit,
Consultant
Urologist,
Raffles
Surgery
Centre,
“they were
very
intrigued by
sexual
performance
enhancing
products
even though
some of them
don’t really
need them.”
So what is
considered
normal
sexual
performance?
And what is
with these
products
that drive
men in
droves to
the doctor’s
room when
these same
men will
brush away
calls to see
their doctor
for their
sniffly
nose? |
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Engine Troubleshoot
Sex-life is an important
component in a
successful marriage,
even in elderly couples.
To achieve a healthy sex
life, there are drugs
which help men maintain
a healthy sexual
relationship with their
spouse. Is your
sexual life satisfying
you and your partner?
We look at common
problems and how they
can be treated.
Getting It Up
Erectile dysfunction
(ED) is a condition
where you have trouble
getting or keeping an
erection that is strong
enough for vaginal
penetration.
Modern science has made
it possible for ED to be
treated with the use of
drugs. This would
require a visit to the
doctor’s for an accurate
assessment of your
condition.
Said Dr Fong, “Viagra,
Cialis and Levitra are
the three most common
drugs and the usual
first line of
medications prescribed
for erectile
dysfunction. They are
all phosphodiesterase
type 5 inhibitors and
work in the same way,
differing only in the
onset and duration of
action.”
Too Fast, Too
Furious
One of the major grouses
that women have is that
men tend to ejaculate
too soon. Experts
say most men reach
orgasm in under three
minutes (after 30 to 60
thrusts). Women,
on the other hand,
require at least seven
minutes.
“Premature ejaculation
is defined as the
inability to control
ejaculation to satisfy a
partner 50% of the
time,” explained Dr
Fong, “this is very
subjective with no exact
time guideline.”
In general, relaxing and
practising can help you
deal with the problem.
You can distract
yourself by thinking
non-sexual thoughts to
avoid becoming excited
too soon.
“Treatment options
usually begin with
psychosexual counselling
which has been proven to
work for some couples,”
said Dr Fong, “Those who
need the extra help will
then be prescribed
topical and oral
medications.”
Are We There Yet?
Retarded ejaculation is
a medical condition in
which the man is unable
to ejaculate, either
during intercourse or
with manual stimulation
in the presence of a
partner. Most men
ejaculate within two to
four minutes after onset
of active thrusting in
intercourse.
Men with retarded
ejaculation may be
entirely unable to
ejaculate in some
circumstances, or to
ejaculate only with
great effort and after
prolonged intercourse
(for example 30 to 45
minutes).
According to Dr Eng Soo
Kiang, Family Physician,
Raffles HealthScreeners,
“The most common causes
for retarded ejaculation
are psychological, such
as fear, anger or
stress. Making love
under stress or fear can
result in problems with
ejaculation.”
Other causes for
retarded ejaculation
include drugs and
neurological disease.
Depending on the cause,
doctors would then
recommend therapy,
hypnosis or changing of
medications.
Marital stress, sexual
dissatisfaction,
inhibited sexual desire,
and avoidance of sexual
contact may result if
the problem is not
addressed and remedied.
Healthy attitudes toward
sexuality can help
prevent retarded
ejaculation.
To prevent retarded
ejaculation, Dr Eng
advised that couples
should enjoy the moment
of pleasure rather than
to be concerned about
ejaculation. Partners
should also support by
providing a relaxed
atmosphere, free of
pressure. An open
discussion of any fears
or anxieties is also
beneficial.
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Chinese Medicine
|
Did you know?
Over-indulgence in sexual life inevitably consumes renal essence, impairs primordial ‘qi’ and could lead to erectile dysfunction. |
|
When one
talks about
erectile
dysfunction,
Traditional
Chinese
Medicine (TCM)
is not
usually the
first thing
that comes
to mind.
As Mr Wu Yue,
TCM
Physician of
Raffles
Chinese
Medicine
shared,
“Many of my
first-time
patients
assume that
TCM would be
a painful
alternative
to Western
treatments.
But it
really is a
safe and
effective
option with
few side
effects.”
According to
TCM,
erectile
dysfunction
is caused by
one of the
following:
Intemperance
of sexual
life and
decline of
fire in
‘mingmen’
(gate of
life).
Stress or
anxiety that
impairs the
heart and
spleen and
leads to
blockage
Downward
migration of
damp-heat in
the liver
and kidney
that leads
to
flaccidity
of the
genitalia.
Treatments
that TCM
physicians
employ
include
acupuncture
with
moxibustion
and herbs
and pills.
With a
holistic
approach
towards
erectile
dysfunction,
Mr Wu
pointed out
that
underlying
causes of
the
dysfunction,
such as
diabetes,
anxiety, or
hypertension,
can also be
treated at
the same
time.
“In this
way, the
patients’
general
health and
well being
would also
see
improvement,”
he said.
|
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Rev It Up
Patients who receive
help for their sexual
health do not just have
better sex. They feel
better and generally
lead a better quality of
life. Speak to
your doctor if you are
not satisfied with your
performance. Be it
to regain your manly
confidence or to
alleviate your concerns,
an improved sexual life
can give you a better
quality of life.
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Lifestyle Changes to
Enhance Your Libido
Lose weight:
Overweight
persons will find that
losing even a few kilos
can stimulate sex
hormones.
Eat right:
Choose nutritious food
which control
cholesterol and blood
sugar levels.
Heart friendly foods
such as grains, fruits,
nuts, vegetables, and
lean sources of dairy
and protein can help
too.
Exercise regularly:
Build up endurance and
your heart by adding a
few high-intensity bouts
to your fitness routine.
Also consider strength
training for shapely
muscle, keep your body
fit for your daily
activities (including
sex).
Rest and relax:
Get in the mood for love
by having ample rest.
Sex is usually thrown
out of the window if
you’re exhausted.
Think positive: Whatever
your body shape or size,
accept yourself and see
its potential for
sensuality.
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Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Dated: May 2011
|
Raffles
Medical
Group is
a leading
medical
group and
the largest
private
group
practice in
Singapore.
As a fully
integrated
healthcare
organisation,
the Group
owns and
operates a
network of
family
medicine
clinics, a
tertiary
care private
hospital,
insurance
services and
a consumer
healthcare
division.
Patients of
the Group
enjoy a
continuum of
care, from
having their
most basic
healthcare
needs met
through the
Group’s
islandwide
network of
Raffles
Medical
clinics, to
specialist
and tertiary
care at
Raffles
Hospital. |
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