Health
Sexual Problems On the Rise
No longer is sexual dysfunction the problem of the couple or individual down the street, researchers say. Emotional and stress-related problems, including prior traumatic sexual experience, poor physical health and quality of life often are to blame.
Writing in The Journal of the American Medical Association, University of Chicago scientists say 43 percent of the nation's women and 31 percent of men are plagued by sexual problems, making such dysfunction an important public health concern.
The researchers looked at more than 3,000 individuals aged 18 to 59 years. Most common sexual problems found: sexual arousal difficulties (i.e., erection problems in men, lubrication problems in women), inability to achieve climax or ejaculation, anxiety about sexual performance, climaxing or ejaculating too rapidly, physical pain during intercourse and not finding sex pleasurable.
But the scientists say the prevalence of sexual problems for women tends to decline with age -- except for those who report trouble lubricating. For men, increasing age was linked to increasing erection problems and lack of sexual desire.
Writing in The Journal of the American Medical Association, University of Chicago scientists say 43 percent of the nation's women and 31 percent of men are plagued by sexual problems, making such dysfunction an important public health concern.
The researchers looked at more than 3,000 individuals aged 18 to 59 years. Most common sexual problems found: sexual arousal difficulties (i.e., erection problems in men, lubrication problems in women), inability to achieve climax or ejaculation, anxiety about sexual performance, climaxing or ejaculating too rapidly, physical pain during intercourse and not finding sex pleasurable.
But the scientists say the prevalence of sexual problems for women tends to decline with age -- except for those who report trouble lubricating. For men, increasing age was linked to increasing erection problems and lack of sexual desire.
