Sexual Health

Sexual health refers to a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality.

It encompasses various aspects, including sexual function, reproductive health, relationships, and sexual identity. Maintaining good sexual health involves having safe and consensual sexual experiences, being knowledgeable about sexual health issues, and seeking appropriate healthcare when needed. Common sexual health conditions can range from physical disorders to psychological or relationship-related concerns.

Common Sexual Health Conditions:

  • Overview: ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
  • Causes: Underlying health conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease), hormonal imbalances, medication side effects, psychological factors.
  • Symptoms: Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, reduced sexual desire.
  • Treatment: Oral medications, lifestyle modifications, psychological counselling, hormone therapy, vacuum erection devices, penile implants.
  • Overview: PE is characterised by the inability to delay ejaculation during sexual activity.
  • Causes: Psychological factors (anxiety, stress), relationship issues, hypersensitivity, hormonal imbalances.
  • Symptoms: Ejaculation that consistently occurs within a minute or less of penetration, distress or frustration.
  • Treatment: Behavioural techniques (start-stop method, squeeze technique), topical anaesthetics, medications (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), counselling.
  • Overview: Low libido refers to a decreased or absent sexual desire or interest.
  • Causes: Psychological factors (stress, depression), hormonal imbalances, relationship issues, certain medications.
  • Symptoms: Reduced sexual desire, lack of interest in sexual activities.
  • Treatment: Addressing underlying causes, lifestyle modifications, counselling, hormone therapy if indicated.
  • Overview: STIs are infections transmitted through sexual contact.
  • Causes: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections.
  • Symptoms: Can vary depending on the specific STI but may include genital sores, discharge, itching, pain during urination, flu-like symptoms.
  • Treatment: Antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiviral medications for viral infections, counselling, preventive measures (safe sex practices, vaccinations).
  • Overview: Pelvic pain disorders include conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
  • Causes: Inflammation, infection, structural abnormalities, hormonal imbalances.
  • Symptoms: Chronic or recurrent pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, menstrual abnormalities.
  • Treatment: Medications for pain management, antibiotics for infections, hormonal therapy, surgery in some cases, pelvic floor physical therapy.
  • Overview: Sexual dysfunction in women refers to a range of conditions that affect sexual arousal, desire, or orgasmic response.
  • Causes: Psychological factors, hormonal imbalances, relationship issues, certain medications, menopause-related changes.
  • Symptoms: Lack of sexual desire, difficulty achieving orgasm, pain during intercourse.
  • Treatment: Counselling, hormonal therapy, vaginal lubricants, medications (for specific conditions like hypoactive sexual desire disorder), pelvic floor physical therapy.

It is important to note that sexual health conditions can be complex and have various underlying causes. Diagnosis and treatment should be individualised and may require consultation with healthcare professionals, such as urologists, gynaecologists, or sexual health specialists. Open communication, education, and seeking timely care are crucial for maintaining optimal sexual health.

It is important to note that sexual health conditions can be complex and have various underlying causes. Diagnosis and treatment should be individualised and may require consultation with healthcare professionals, such as urologists, gynaecologists, or sexual health specialists. Open communication, education, and seeking timely care are crucial for maintaining optimal sexual health.

Our Urologists who specialise in Sexual Health:

A/Prof Peter Chin

MBBS, FRACS

Urologist

Dr Paul Kovac

MBBS, FRACS

Urologist

Dr Rahul Rindani

BSc(Med), MBBS, FRACS

Urologist

Dr Helen Nicholson

BSc(Adv), MBBS(Hons), FRACS

Urologist

Dr Minh Tran

BPharm, MBBS, MS, FRACS

Urologist

Dr Rasha Gendy

MBBS(Hons I), MS, FRACS, MIPEd(UK)

Urologist

Our team of specialist urologists provide leading care to patients across the Illawarra region. Experience and training you can rely on.

At South Coast Urology, we offer comprehensive, clinically excellent, multidisciplinary urological care. We run clinics in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Nowra and operate at leading private hospitals across the Illawarra.