Failure Of Erection
Q. I am 25
years old and have a terrible problem of failing to have an erection just before
sexual intercourse. This has caused embarrassment in front of my girlfriend.
What is it and what should be done? Secondly, even controlling ejaculation for
long is also a problem for me. Why do I get this problem?
Concerned Reader, Moshi.
A: At some point in life almost every man will have the experience of
either not being able to get an erection when he wants or losing it at the wrong
moment. It might happen when you are putting on the condom, for example, or when
you are trying to penetrate your partner. This can be very upsetting and
frustrating. Hopefully your partner is someone who is nice and mature enough to
be understanding and comforting if this happens.
The usual cause is anxiety. Perhaps you are worried about weather your partner
will enjoy having sex with you. Will you perform well? One practical thing to do
is to hold your penis firmly at the base so that the blood that causes the
erection does not rush out. If this does not work it is best to take a break and
then try again.
Start kissing and cuddling, allowing yourself to gradually get more excited
until you get an erection. Another cause for erection problems is too much
alcohol. This is known as brewer’s drop. The solution is not to drink or to
drink less.
Secondly, for many men controlling ejaculation is a problem from time to time. A
man may find himself coming before he really wants to and before his partner has
had time to enjoy the sexual experience. The most likely reason for this is
again anxiety. Perhaps you are making love in the backseat of a car and you are
worried someone will walk past, perhaps you did not buy any condoms, or perhaps
you are not very experienced and afraid of letting your partner down.
Sexual Dreams & Fantasies
Q. I am a 19
year old lady and have a problem of very weird dreams. Why am I getting these
dreams?
Concerned Reader, Tanga.
A: Part of becoming a mature sexual person is having dreams and fantasies
about sex. This is quite normal. You may find that you dream or fantasise about
all sorts of weird things for example sex with some glamorous stranger or sex
with more than one person. You may even dream about sex with your relatives,
your partners, workers, etc. All this is quite common and does not mean that in
real life you want any of these things to actually happen. There is no dream or
sexual fantasy that you have that other people have not also had. If daydreams
make you uncomfortable, remember that you can change them or end them. Remember
that dreams and fantasies are often about forbidden or taboo behaviour and
situations that you would not enact in real life
Sexual Arousal
Q. I am 23
years old and my girlfriend is 21 years. I really would like to know if there
are any aphrodisiacs that really work. Secondly, I have heard that weird and
wonderful substances such as rhino’s horn and mandrake route are supposed to
increase sexual power. Do they really work?
Concerned Reader, DSM.
A: There is no magic that miraculously increases sexual desire,
arousal, ability and sensation. Some traditional aphrodisiacs such as yohimbine
or Spanish fly do have some effect on the genitals, but the effect is minimal
and may be coupled with unpleasant side effects. Yohimbine, obtained from the
bark of an African tree has a minimal effect on arousal and may cause a
dangerous drop in blood pressure. Spanish fly made from dried and crushed bodies
of a type of beetle works by irritating and inflaming the genitals, but it is
also a poison and taking it can be fatal. Alcohol is sometimes used as an
aphrodisiac – although a small dose does have an anti-inhibitory effect that
allows you to let go and openly express sexual feelings, large doses have the
opposite effect, impeding sex by inducing a type of impotence.
The closest substances to aphrodisiacs that are endorsed by the medical
profession are viagra, cialis and others, but should be taken after your
doctor’s advice. These substances have earned reputations as aphrodisiacs simply
because they resemble or exaggerate the shape and size of the genitals. Some
food such as oysters and figs are perceived as sexy for the same reason. The
rhino with its phallic horn is associated with a similar mythology.
Mandrake contains ingredients that may offer increased alertness that may offer
increased alertness and energy. But be warned, it also contains chemicals, which
make you sick.