Sex and immortality (3) - An article on the subject

Sunday October 31, 2010

Don’t suffer in silence

By CHERYL POO
cherylpoo@thestar.com.my

Erectile dysfunction is often the prelude to major health problems. Seek medical help, experts advise.
AN impotent man may face a host of other physical problems that can be rather serious in nature.
This was the main message highlighted at a discussion on erectile dysfunction organised by Pfizer recently.
“Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very serious matter for a man and his family because the problem is not just a psychological one. There could be major health problems behind it, ones that are potentially fatal,” said celebrity host and presenter Asha Gill, who facilitated the enlightening discussion between two local health experts – Prof Dr Low Wah Yun of the faculty of medicine, University of Malaya, and Dr Siti Norazah Zulkifli, a health research consultant.
Erectile dysfunction (or more commonly, impotence) describes a condition where men cannot achieve or keep an erection. Impotency does not discriminate, and is not, contrary to common misconception, something which only plagues older men.
According to a study led by a scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles’ David Geffen School of Medicine, about 6.5% of men as young as 20 to 29 reported ED; and this went up to 77.5% when it came to men aged 75 years and above.

 Discussing the psychological and physical health complications surrounding untreated erectile dysfunction. From left: Asha Gill, Prof Dr Low Wah Yun, and Dr Siti Norazah Zulkifli.

Bear in mind that this survey was conducted in the Western hemisphere, where people are generally more open-minded.

Consider our Asian culture, where such matters are generally eluded or guarded zealously within marriages and never discussed even amongst the closest of friends, let alone a stranger in a clinic. While many people tend to think that the problem of impotency crops up because of poor circulation, the truth is that ED is usually associated with a more complex health problem that the individual is facing.
Diabetes, nervous system disorders, and Parkinson’s, to name a few, are among the staggering list of health problems that have been associated with ED.
“You see why there’s a good reason for men to seek medicinal help. We can understand how difficult or embarrasing it would be to seek help, but bear in mind that his overall wellbeing is at stake. Impotency takes a toll on self esteem, relationship, and general health,” Prof Low said.
“Women often feel trapped when their partner suffers from this problem because they are helpless and frustrated from the fact that they cannot turn to anyone to share their grievances out of fear of embarassment to both parties. In some cases, the marriage falls apart because the couple are not even able to discuss the problem between themselves,” observed Dr Siti. “People should not wait until their marriage comes to this,” she urged.
Although the Malaysian community is largely a reserved one, it appears that many individuals are “coming out” and seeking help.
“The local people’s interest in seeking help is becoming more apparent. Centres that offer the traditional treatment of ‘urut batin’ are becoming more popular. This suggests to us that people want help,” Dr Siti continued.
As for professional aid, most physicians are trained to detect erectile problems. “Sometimes, just as the patient is about to leave the clinic (for a general health check-up), he or she may bring up the topic of ED and appear to inquire on someone else’s behalf. The doctor should advise them to book another appointment so as to help the individual address the matter more comfortably,” Prof Low said.
Unlike women (in general) who undergo annual check-ups such as the Pap smear, men do not have scheduled periodic health examinations, and therefore, stand a higher risk of undetected health issues.
As for treatment, specialists are able to gauge and grade the hardness of the penis and duration of erection, and treat accordingly.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to the level of satisfaction that the patient (and his partner) feels. It also depends on the quality of life that the couple is contented with. An elderly couple, for instance, may be perfectly happy with showing their affections by just hugging and kissing.
“In any case, the emphasis here should not be on full restoration, but rather, on the couple rekindling their intimacy,” Dr Siti concluded.