Can't get it up? It's okay to seek help

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Can't get it up? It's okay to seek help

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Saturday, Nov 22, 2014
The New Paper
By Foo Jie Ying
For three years, he relied on a combination of cordyceps and ginseng to battle his "manhood problem". The retiree, who wanted to be known as Mr Soh, has erectile dysfunction.

The 63-year-old sought medical help only in 2010, after a talk on the sexual health problem. He now relies on prescription drugs to stay sexually active.

Like Mr Soh, more men are coming forward to seek medical help for their sexual dysfunctions, a trend highlighted by urologist Colin Teo.


According to the Spontaneous Sex Study results revealed yesterday, nine in 10 men said they would seek medical treatment for erectile dysfunction.

The study was conducted by Dr Colin Teo and his team at the Society of Men Health's Singapore.

Dr Teo, who heads the urology department at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, estimates that the number of patients coming forward for help is 30 per cent more now than a decade ago.

Mr Soh, a former civil servant, told The New Paper that his sexual problems began seven years ago. "My wife also noticed something was wrong," he said, declining to go into details.

He thought he could battle erectile dysfunction with traditional Chinese medicine. "I heard from my friend that taking cordyceps together with ginseng is effective. "It did help, but the effect is not permanent," Mr Soh said, referring to the duration of his erection.

By then, Viagra was already in the market, but Mr Soh was hesitant about the blue pill.

Can't get it up?

It's "I thought there would be many side effects if I took the blue pill. I have high blood pressure, and didn't want to take the risk. So I tried to ignore (my condition)," he said.

The retiree stressed that buying illegal sex drugs never crossed his mind as he "didn't trust them".

He continued taking cordyceps and ginseng for three years, until he attended a talk by urologist Dr Peter Lim in 2010 to find out more about his sexual problem.

Turning Point

"That was the turning point for me. I found out more about erectile dysfunction, and started to believe in Western medicine," he said.

Mr Soh then made the personal decision to see his family doctor - a woman - at a polyclinic.

When asked if it was awkward, and whether he hemmed and hawed at the consultation, the retiree shrugged it off, saying there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

"I just used the term, 'manhood problem'," he said with a laugh.

He was eventually referred to Dr Teo, and was prescribed Cialis, which treats erectile function.

The drug also helps Mr Soh combat urinary tract symptoms related to an enlarged prostate.

Just last month, he underwent surgery for his enlarged prostate.

Having a doctor who can put patients at ease when discussing their sexual problems really helps in getting erectile dysfunction solved, said Mr Soh.

"Dr Teo sometimes cracks jokes (about sexual health problems). When the doctor is so open, patients will be open about it too.

"Even the nurse in the room was laughing. It becomes very comfortable to share," he added.

It's not a sex problem

Erectile dysfunction should not be viewed only as a sexual health condition. This is because the condition, defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse, could well be an indication of serious underlying conditions, Dr Ronny Tan explained. This is because some risk factors that cause erectile dysfunction are also risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, the urologist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital pointed out. Other than mental or emotional causes, physical causes of erectile dysfunction include vascular disease and diabetes. To keep family physicians here and in Asia updated on the treatment options available for erectile dysfunction, the Society of Men's Health Singapore developed a booklet on erectile dysfunction. The booklet will be available to both doctors and members of the public in January

Local sex survey shows..

To understand local viewpoints on erectile dysfunction and the acceptance of medical treatment, the Society for Men's Health Singapore conducted a three-year local sex study, between 2012 and 2014.

Under the Spontaneous Sex Study, 170 men and 112 women, aged 25 and above, were surveyed. They were asked about their sexual attitudes and activities, among other topics.

Here is what the survey found:

l Six in 10 think erectile dysfunction would have a significant impact on their lives.

l Nine in 10 men would seek medical treatment.

l Seven in 10 men do not mind taking a pill to have satisfactory sex.

l Six in 10 women do not mind their partners taking a pill to have satisfactory sex.

l Seven in 10 men do not mind their partners knowing they are taking a pill before sex.

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This article was first published on November 20, 2014.
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- See more at: http://yourhealth.asiaone.com/conten....IoPsZzgC.dpuf


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