PRIMARY CARE APPROACH TO THE MEN’S SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

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Family physicians with their patient-centered, community-oriented and biophysicosocial approach, should take more responsibility in men’s health, which is partially neglected in medical practice. The Vienna Declaration on the health of men and boys in Europe held on 1 October 2005 asserts that in order to improve public health and prevent disease, there is an urgent need to take specific action to address men’s health. While 80% of the sexual dysfunctions can be solved in primary care settings, only 8% of the patients need to be referred to specialists. The stages of the sexual response cycle are desire (libido), excitement (arousal), orgasm and resolution, respectively. Sexual dysfunction is defined as disturbance in one or more stages of the sexual response cycle or painful intercourse. DSM IV defines and diagnoses sexual dysfunctions according to specific categories related to some of their basic characteristics. The most common sexual dysfunctions in men include erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Male sexual dysfunction is more prevalent among patients with chronic diseases and occurs more with age, but the patients are not always questioned efficiently. With special care provided by family physicians, significant improvements may be achieved in men’s quality of life.

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Family physician , Male , Sexual dysfunction

Marmara Medical Journal

315

Marmara Medical Journal