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FAQ'SFrequently Asked Questions:
Why Sex? The drive to share pleasure by touching and sharing sexual ideas is one of the strongest motivators we know: largely invisible, but incredibly powerful for most of us. When that sexual 'chemistry' happens, it can be the ultimate experience, involving love, intimacy, trust, longing, and possibly danger as well. When it stops to happen, however, it can really complicate a relationship. Exactly how two people experience sex varies a lot: for most people 'sex' is really an abbreviation for sexual intercourse, but for others it can mean lots of foreplay – without penetration - which has come to be known as 'outercourse'. You and your partner’s beliefs and preferences only limit what you do for sex. The Australian Men's Clinic promotes safe sex between consenting adults, with comfortable experimentation within the relationship. Why the Australian Men’s Clinic? The Australian Men's Clinic specialises in helping men regain sexual satisfaction with a comprehensive range of highly effective treatments: we have the best range of treatments in Australia, and can put you back in control of your sex life. Our Doctors get results. What causes an Erection? The penis is capable of filling with blood and expanding because of two tubes or rods of spongy tissue, one on either side. Erections can provide enormous satisfaction for a man and his partner, but they can also be unreliable and/or too reliable! The penis fills with blood either in response to a signal from the brain travelling down the spine, or from direct touch, or during sleep for no apparent reason (this isn't fully understood, but it’s believed to be a mechanism to make sure that enough oxygen is getting to the penis, just to keep it healthy and strong). Once it is full, the penis is very sensitive and can only handle so much pleasure before ejaculation: there are chemical changes in the blood stream after this (or after being interrupted, or losing interest) which cause the arteries feeding the penis to shrink back to normal, and let the veins draining blood from the penis to fill. What is Erectile Dysfunction? Erectile Dysfunction is 'the persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity', meaning that a man’s erection either isn't hard enough for penetration or doesn't stay hard until he ejaculates. How common is Erectile Dysfunction? Very common! Statistics show that only 20% of 80 year-old men will have the ability to achieve normal erections: for men over the age of 50 there’s a 50% chance of losing erectile strength, and even 40 year olds have a 40% chance of losing erectile strength. Who’s to blame for my Erectile Dysfunction? A huge range of things can cause erectile Dysfunction, and no one is to blame. Remember that it’s not in your age, or your head. The answer lies in speaking about it: we recommend discussing it with your partner and then calling us. What are the most common causes of ED? Studies have also shown that the majority of causes of erectile dysfunction are physical. There are three main types: initiation (i.e. not enough neurological stimulation to the penis); vascular insufficiency (i.e. not enough blood flowing into the penis); or venous leakage (i.e. not enough blood staying in the penis). What are the chances of a cure? The sooner you start a treatment programme, the better your chances of rehabilitating the tissue in the penis by virtue of getting it that all-important blood flow. Many of our patients only need a short course of treatment to regain the full range of sexual pleasure. What about something from the Chemist? The range of medications available these days is generally too broad for a pharmacy or chemist, because they don’t specialise in this area. And no medications work the same on all of us – that’s where our expertise comes in. What could have caused my condition? Reduction in blood flow to the penis can cause erection problems and can be caused by lifestyle choices or medical history, including Diabetes, high blood cholesterol, smoking, excessive alcohol intake and stress. However, some people are just predisposed to ED, just as some of us are to poor eyesight, or varicose veins. See also Lifestyle Choices What are psychological factors? The psychological factors affecting erection failure might be fear of failure, depression, stress, low sexual drive, avoidance of sexual interaction, anxiety, frustration, and relationship disharmony. However, psychological factors only account for a small percentage of Erectile Dysfunction, with most psychological factors being caused by physical unreliability. We can provide treatment to help you overcome the physical issues and refer you on to professionals for further treatment as necessary. How do I know if it’s psychological or physical? This is a complicated part of the diagnosis – it depends on the age and speed of onset, the severity of the problem, your social situation, and other risk factors. Generally speaking a rapid onset might indicate psychological causes: likewise if your erections are strong when you’re by yourself, or going through a major life change. What about vasectomies, prostates and other sexual health issues? We can provide a range of treatments to help you overcome the physical issues and refer you on to professionals for further treatment as necessary. What is normal? The size and sensitivity of every penis is unique, but there are lots of things that are more important than how large it is or how long it lasts. After all, few lasting relationships are built on superficials like looks, wealth, or size: although attraction can include these and the 'chemistry' between people. For a relationship to thrive, the mutual attraction needs to develop into shared values, based on open communication about decisions, choices, and preferences in the short and long term. The frequency of sex, orgasm, and new partners varies from person to person and over time, and the satisfaction experienced has a lot to do with things we can’t see – or sometimes even describe. For example, a woman might be more satisfied by a man with better technique than a man with a bigger penis. What is ejaculation? Once the penis is erect, it can only take so much pleasure, and once the individual man’s pleasure level has been reached, the testicles press up close to the body and send their sperm through the penis in a series of powerful contractions. It’s also known as orgasm, or coming (but it is technically possible to orgasm without ejaculating, and vice versa). The moments before, during and immediately after orgasm can be among the most powerfully beautiful and intimate experiences of life, for men and women. Could it indicate something else is wrong? Difficulty with erections can indicate that there are other things happening, such as diabetes, heart disease, low testosterone levels. Our medical team are trained to look for other indicators during the consultation, and you will be sent off for any blood tests that might be required. What is PE? By definition, PREMATURE EJACULATION means ejaculating before you or your partner want you to. Who does PE affect? Over 30% of all men suffer severe premature ejaculation, and almost all men will occasionally ejaculate too quickly for their own or their partner’s satisfaction. Men who have experienced PE earlier in life are likely to re-experience it again, if they start to experience any Erectile Dysfunction. What are the causes of PE? PE has physical and psychological causes. The physical cause has to do with the nerves in the skin of the penis being super sensitive; psychological causes of PE can include performance anxiety, stress, feeling inadequate, anxiety and/or humiliation. The majority of men who suffer from PE have both physical and psychological factors. How is PE treated? Nowadays there are several methods available, including medication to help patients manage their erections and their sensitivity. We also provide a series of exercises to overcome PE. Used together, these can put you back in control of one of life’s ultimate pleasures. How serious is this problem? For most men, PE is not a serious problem in that there are usually no underlying medical conditions. However it needs to be treated, as patients who suffer from this condition tend to shy away from sexual intimacy and/or relationship generally. For some men it can be a lifelong problem and can result in a very lonely existence. Since the treatment is simple and highly successful it should be tackled immediately so that sexual intimacy can be restored. Am I too old to be treated? Our oldest patient treated here at the Australian Men’s Clinic is in his 90's: so no, you’re probably not too old to enjoy full healthy sex. Am I too young to have this problem? You’re not too young, provided you are over 16 and interested in exploring your erection management and sexual intimacy. Why do I feel so embarrassed? Because Erectile Dysfunction can be seen as a reflection of 'manhood', it can easily impact on a man’s self-esteem – and be difficult to share. However, once you’ve visited one of our clinics you’ll be amazed how easily we can help – and chances are good that you will not feel so isolated. My partner doesn't know about my problem – can I keep it that way? We respect your desire for privacy and confidentiality: it is your choice who you would like to share it with. We won’t leave messages or say where we’re calling from – or even phone you unless you ask us to. Is it OK for my partner to attend the consultation? We welcome your partner during the consultation: please let us know that you are happy for us to say where we are calling from if you wish to include your partner in the process. How do I get in touch with the clinic to make an appointment? Easy, just call our Toll free number - 1800 776662. One of our Customer Care Consultant's will talk you through the process and book you into the clinic nearest you. If you just have a few questions and aren't ready to book in, feel free to call the same number and our Customer Care Consultant's will answer all your questions. What are the terms and conditions of use for this website? The information in this and any other email from the Australian Men’s Clinic is provided in good faith, but as a reference only: its relevance and/or accuracy is not guaranteed. The Australian Men’s Clinic provides a private and discreet consultation service in person for men with issues around erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and sex drive: it does not diagnose or prescribe via email or the Internet. |