If you're going to ask what the measure of a man is, you're going to get a lot of answers. Some would say that to be a man, you have to be tough and gruff, and should probably be able to break an iron bar with just your pinkie finger. For others, it means being able to seduce women at a glance, and juggle three relationships at the same time without any of the women knowing. There's also being sensitive to a woman's needs, making sure she is well taken cared of. Whatever the answer though, you can bet that almost all will agree that an integral part of a man is their manhood or their sexuality. Men are almost always identified by their excessive sexual drives, and while it may be a gross generalization, it has already been well-established that many men are far more vocal and open about their sexual drive than women. It's understandable, then, how big of a blow it is to men when they realize they're suffering from male sexual dysfunction. It's a big blow to their ego and is perceived as a failure in their being men, literally speaking.

Sexiness Is Next To Manliness

A man is said to have a sexual dysfunction when he can't get any satisfaction from a sexual activity during any phase of the sexual response cycle. There are four phases in this cycle, including: the excitement phase, the plateau phase, the orgasm phase, and the resolution phase. According to research, sexual dysfunction is a common problem among people. For men, 31% report some degree of difficulty in achieving total sexual satisfaction. However, the topic is usually not open for discussion, mostly because for men, having such a dysfunction is crippling for their ego. There are many forms of sexual dysfunctions that a man can have, but the three most common ones are:

• Ejaculation disorders come in three general types. They are:
  • Premature ejaculation – Perhaps the most common of the ejaculation disorders and what most sufferers usually have. Premature ejaculation refers to ejaculation before or a short time after penetration.
  • Retarded ejaculation – Retarded ejaculation happens when ejaculation does not occur. It is also called inhibited ejaculation.
  • Retrograde ejaculation – When the ejaculate gets forced back into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out of the penis during orgasm, then you suffer what is called retrograde ejaculation.
• Erectile dysfunction is also one of the most common sexual dysfunctions men experience. It is defined as the inability of men to maintain a firm erection long enough to engage in sexual intercourse. While older men are the usual sufferers of this, anyone can have this condition, regardless of age. It is often thought that erectile dysfunction is a psychological problem, but recent studies have shown that physical reasons have as much contribution to it as well.
• Reduced libido is the third most common form of male sexual dysfunction. Simply put, it is the decreased interest or desire for any sexual activity. Both psychological and physical factors can contribute to a man losing his drive for sex, and it has been associated with low levels of the testosterone hormone. Finally, certain medications, including anti-depressants, have been known to lower the libido as well.

Regardless of the forms of sexual dysfunction, there are many causes of male sexual dysfunction and they are categorized into two types:

Physical causes. Physical causes include medical conditions that can cause problems with your sexual functions. They include diabetes, heart conditions, hormonal imbalance, and other chronic diseases. Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse is also a big cause. Also, side effects of certain drugs, such as antidepressants, can lower your sexual efficiency as well.

Psychological causes. Psychological causes include stress, anxiety, and depression. Trauma caused by a past sexual encounter, such as sexual abuse, is a very big factor in causing a sexual dysfunction.

Diagnoses for Male Sexual Dysfunction

The doctor may start with checking out your medical history; as with most medical conditions, the symptoms will be an integral part in finding out whether you do have a sexual dysfunction or just a temporary loss of sexual drive. There may also be several diagnostic tests involved in order to rule out any other medical problems that may contribute to the dysfunction. Other professionals may also be referred, such as a urologist, an endocrinologist, a neurologist, and sex therapists and counselors. The tests that the doctor may use in order to diagnose sexual dysfunction include:

• Blood tests – Evaluate your hormone levels.
• Vascular assessment – Check the blood flow to your penis. If there's a blockage in the blood vessel, it may be the reason why you're not getting it up, so to speak.
• Sensory testing – The test measures the nerve impulses in any particular area of your body.
• Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity – The test monitors the erections that you normally get while you're asleep. It helps in finding out whether the erectile problems are due to physical or psychological factors.

Getting Rid of Male Sexual Dysfunction

Treating male sexual dysfunction involves getting rid of the underlying problem, whether physical or psychological. Generally, in order to get rid of your dysfunction, here are some tips you can take:

• Identify the root cause of the problem. Have yourself checked by a doctor. The sooner you will be able to find out why you're having trouble performing in bed, the sooner you can take steps to fix it. Doctors are especially helpful for sexual dysfunctions caused by physical problems.
• Get medications to enhance your sexual drive. There are medications out there that can help raise (no pun intended) your sexual drive. They generally work by increasing blood flow to your penis. Viagra is the most famous example.
• Use mechanical aids. If medications aren't your thing, you can opt to use mechanical aids to help you. Vacuum devices and penile implants may help men with penile erectile dysfunction.
• Try hormone injections. If you have low levels of testosterone, a hormone injection may help fix the problem. Testosterone patches are approved by the government, while testosterone replacement pills are already being evaluated.
• Get psychological therapy. A trained counselor or a psychologist can help you overcome anxieties or any psychological barriers that prevent you from getting full sexual satisfaction.

Men who have problems with their sexual drive need not fear; male sexual dysfunction is, for the most part, very much treatable. As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and perspective, then you should be back to the feeling like a hot-blooded male that you really are.