Orgasmic dysfunction widespread in men

29 August 2011
Orgasmic dysfunction widespread in men
by George Atkinson

A surprising new study by physicians at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center indicates that orgasmic dysfunction, or failure to reach orgasm, may be as common in men as women.

The study followed more than 12,000 men with mild to severe erectile dysfunction and investigated both orgasmic and ejaculatory dysfunction. The most common ejaculatory dysfunction is premature ejaculation, but the condition also describes delayed ejaculation, inability to ejaculate, painful ejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, as well as a reduced volume of ejaculate or diminished force of ejaculation. Orgasm dysfunction is defined as absence of an orgasm.

The findings appear in the British Journal of Urology International. "While medications like Viagra or Cialis have been successful in helping many of these men, our research suggests there are other common sexual issues that remain largely unaddressed," says Dr. Darius Paduch, the study's lead author.

Paduch says that non-erectile sexual dysfunction is underreported and undertreated due to social stigma and misunderstandings about the physiology of male sexual response and orgasmic dysfunction.

The study suggests that dysfunctional ejaculation and orgasm were surprisingly common in men with very mild erectile dysfunction: orgasm dysfunction was reported by 26 percent in this group, and ejaculation dysfunction by 18 percent. "This suggests that non-erectile sexual dysfunction is a regular occurrence even in men without ED," says Paduch.

"We must expand the definition of quality of life when it comes to sexual performance. For the last few decades, we have focused on penile rigidity, with erection as a synonym of normal sexual function. However, many patients say that problems with ejaculation - like decreased force or volume or decreased sensation of orgasm - are just as critical. For decades it was believed that only women had problems with orgasm; our study shows that orgasmic dysfunction could be as prevalent among men as it is among women," Paduch concluded.

Related:
Propecia causing erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction in some men
PE can be caused by genetic factors, say scientists
Premature Ejaculation Finally Gets Defined
Two-thirds of women report sex problems

Source: New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical College