Sexual intercourse

:This article is about sexual intercourse in humans and its societal implications. For biological copulation in general, see copulation.

Problems of intercourse

Many males suffer from erectile dysfunction, or impotence, at least occasionally. For those whose impotence is caused by medical conditions, prescription drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra are available. However, doctors caution against the unnecessary use of these drugs since they are accompanied by serious risks such as increased chance of heart attack. Also, as is too often the case, using a drug to counteract the symptom, impotence, masks the underlying problem causing the impotence, and does not fix the problem. A serious condition might be aggravated if left untreated.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A more common sexual disorder in males is premature ejaculation (PE). Those afflicted with PE can perform intercourse for an average of 1.8 minutes before experiencing an orgasm. This compares with an average of 7.3 minutes for those not suffering from premature ejaculation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently examining the drug dapoxetine to treat premature ejaculation. In clinical trials those with PE who took dapoxetine experienced intercourse three to four times longer before orgasm than without the drug.

Related Topics:
Premature ejaculation - FDA

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The American Urological Association (AUA) estimates that premature ejaculation could affect 27 percent to 34 percent of men in the United States. The AUA also estimates that 10 percent to 12 percent of men in the United States are affected by erectile dysfunction.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Inability to achieve orgasm is called anorgasmia. It is much more common in women than men and usually needs attention from both partners over a long time span to solve. Many women, especially younger women with little sexual experience, have difficulty achieving orgasm. Whether a woman considers anorgasmia a problem or not is highly individual; the popular but dubious notion that both partners always achieve orgasm in "normal" intercourse may contribute to a woman's concern over anorgasmia.

Related Topics:
Anorgasmia - Orgasm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Vaginismus is involuntary tensing of the pelvic floor musculature, making coitus distressing or impossible. Dyspareunia is painful or uncomfortable intercourse; it can be due to a variety of reasons.

Related Topics:
Vaginismus - Dyspareunia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~