A recent research shows us that about 40% of the population in India suffers from some sort of sexual problem, and the number is rising. And an ever increasing stress at work and a fast pace lifestyle have only added to the chemistry shared between a couple within the four walls of a bedroom.
In an exclusive interview for Medimanage.com, Dr Mahinder Watsa, a famous Sexologist practicing in Mumbai, tells us the many causes for the most common sexual problems and the ways to deal with them.
Most common sexual problems seen in India:
I have many people coming to me with problems pertaining to Erectile dysfunction and masturbation in males, and as far as women are concerned, they have an urge to increase or decrease the size of their breasts and also to cure the problem of vaginal infections.
Masturbation – When does it get too much?
Masturbation is neither wrong nor sinful. But certain myths are associated with it, for instance, people think that if they masturbate they won’t be able to marry, they will not have any sperms left etc. Masturbation has a scientific logic which says that when one reaches adulthood, he needs to get rid of unwanted sperms, millions of which get formed every day, for new ones to be formed. And if the person is single, the ways in sperms get a vent out is through nightfall or as masturbation. The body has its own control mechanisms, but if a person over goes that line then the body reacts, and either one may experience difficulty in getting an erection or his sexual desire may fade off. A person should masturbate when he gets sexually aroused, and must not go overboard. There is no such number that this much of masturbation is healthy or unhealthy.
Low sex drive in those over 60 years of age:
When one is young, the body’s inbuilt mechanisms are enough for arousal, also the novelty factor comes into play. But for someone who is 60 and above, pornography can act as a stimulant. And it can be healthy too, if it helps in establishing a healthy sexual relation with a spouse or a known sexual partner.
Female masturbation:
Masturbation in women is safe. Though females have been conditioned into thinking that masturbation is bad and not meant for them, many enter adulthood with a lot of hang-ups. But, with every passing decade, the menstruation is seen to approach a girl’s life much early, then before. Some five to ten decades ago, the menstruation age would have been 20 years, but now it is about 12 years. Also women tend to marry at a much later age, hence, masturbation in women is understandable, safe and healthy.
Erectile Dysfunction, earlier seen more in older men, is now prevailing among the youth.
Erectile Dysfunction is more common in older men, generally post 40 years of age, as their bodies undergo rapid physiological changes. And this has a lot to do with the aging process. But now, increasingly younger men have been complaining of ED and this more to do with their habits of smoking, taking alcohol, and taking too much of work stress. Many a times it is simply their psychology that they are not doing fine, even though they may be normal. But too much of masturbation can also be a reason for ED. Hence the youth needs to be watchful of these things and not resort to drugs.
When a woman is pregnant, what is the safe period for sex?
In America, the view is that the couple can have healthy sex, till about the last day of pregnancy, but in India it is around the eighth month, when they should ideally stop. The gynecologist looking after the pregnant woman decides whether she is normal and healthy to be able to have intercourse.
Sometimes if the mouth of the womb is open, it can trigger off an abortion, and some people who have had multiple abortions are not able to hold, so they don’t have any intercourse for the entire nine months. But for the couple who can, there are different sexual positions they need to look at during pregnancy. And also, intercourse should begin only after the third month, because up to the third month the egg which is settling down into the womb, gets its hold and after the third month it is secure in the womb.
Do aphrodisiacs help in enhancing sex drive?
No tablets, fruits or pills can ever act as aphrodisiacs. The best aphrodisiac is a willing partner who the person loves. People think that onions, garlic betel nut leaf etc act as aphrodisiacs, but this is not true.
Gay sex
It is more of an alternate sexual behavior. There is nothing natural or unnatural about it, the fact of the matter is that the person feels that way, and this may have something to do either with his upbringing when something caused him to divert this way, or with his genes. The exact reason behind this type of behavior has not yet, been known and there are a lot of theories doing the rounds. Then there is situational homosexuality, for instance, if a person is in the prison or in the army, how can he vent his desire? He may be normal, but the circumstances turn him into a homosexual.
What are the unhealthy ways of having sex?
It is unhealthy when you have unprotected sex with an unknown partner, anal sex is considered to be unlawful, but if done, it should be with a condom as the chances of infections is too high. It is healthy only when you have a single partner, and there is love between both. Use protection always.
