Male Sexual Dysfunction

Middle-aged men are most susceptible to sexual dysfunction.  Many, however, live with it or self-treat it for fear of ridicule.  Ignoring sexual dysfunction may harm your personal relationship and eventually cause unhappiness to you and your partner.  On the other hand, providing your own treatment without professional advice may be harmful to your health.  Your best option is to seek help for your condition at the earliest possible time.

Signs and Symptoms
Aside from the inability to sustain an erection, you may also experience irritability, ill temper, weight gain, depression, bloated stomach, pain under the ribs, shortness of breath, insomnia, premature ejaculation, palpitations, weak back and constant tiredness.

Causes
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) relates sexual dysfunction with either a decline in kidney energy or kidney deficiency.  The kidney, along with the heart, spleen and liver, is the primary source of sexual energy.  Low kidney energy is usually the result of stress or psychological causes.  Middle-aged men are usually confronted with problems at work, at home, in relationships or in finances.  Some men cope with mounting pressures by eating less nutritious food like fast food, drinking coffee and alcohol, smoking and turning to drugs for escape.  These unhealthy choices deplete liver and digestive function that ultimately deplete kidney and heart function as well.

For others, sexual dysfunction may be due to kidney deficiency. This is often the result of some physical or emotional trauma arising from an accident or untoward incident.  There are also pathological causes for sexual dysfunction arising from neurological damage, alcoholism, drug abuse, lumbar disk degeneration, pituitary tumor, thyroid disease, prostate condition, hypertension, cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis.

Treatment
Most cases of sexual dysfunction may be treated with lifestyle changes, a healthy diet, herbal supplementation and acupuncture.  The sooner you seek treatment for it, the better it will be for you and your partner.

Diet
Avoid eating junk food, deep-fried and high fat food.  Drink tonic soup regularly to restore kidney function and energy.  Avoid alcohol or drink it in moderation while staying away from prohibited drugs.  While there are various herbs that may be used to enhance sexual function, these herbs should only be taken under proper advice and supervision as taking too much of these herbs may lead to other health complications.

Lifestyle
As physical stress may also contribute to sexual dysfunction, you should avoid excessive sexual activity which may deplete your energy.  If you work out regularly, do moderate exercises instead of intense routines.  Practice a relaxation technique to reduce the effects of psychological stress at the end of your working day.  Regardless of the status of your intimate relations, maintain a loving and affectionate relationship with your partner and family.