Reverend Albright Benibensu, the Vice President of the Ghana Psychological Association, has encouraged men facing Erectile Dysfunction (ED) to consider psychological support. He emphasized that while some cases of ED have medical origins, a significant portion is psychological. He urged men not to avoid seeking psychological help to prevent unnecessary drug abuse.
Erectile Dysfunction, as defined by John Hopkins Medicine, is the consistent inability to achieve or sustain an erection adequate for satisfactory sexual activity. Modifiable risk factors include being overweight, lack of physical activity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking.
Rev. Benibensu pointed out that in Ghana, factors like increased stress, misconceptions about sexuality leading to performance anxiety, economic pressures, long commutes, housing issues, and noise pollution contribute significantly to ED. He highlighted that noise pollution can make it hard for men to concentrate during sexual activities.
Furthermore, Rev. Benibensu noted that ED ranks as the third major cause of marital issues among Ghanaian couples, sometimes resulting in divorce. He expressed concerns about misinformation regarding sexuality and the promotion of aphrodisiacs in the media, advising men to be cautious about their sexual health.
Dr. Kelvin Owusu, a Wellness Consultant Doctor at Violet’s Medical Center in Accra, warned against the excessive use of alcoholic and non-alcoholic aphrodisiacs like bitters, dried herbs, and pills, which can exacerbate ED and lead to health problems such as kidney and liver dysfunction.
Dr. Owusu emphasized the importance of exercise and healthy living for improving sexual performance, stating that a healthy heart directly impacts sexual health. He cautioned against relying solely on medications for prolonged sexual activity as it can strain the heart.
Additionally, Dr. Owusu highlighted that ED can be a signal for men to improve their overall health by eating well, exercising regularly, and getting adequate rest. He stressed that sexual performance is linked to holistic health.
The International Index on Erectile Function (IIEF) reported a significant rise in ED cases worldwide, estimating that by 2025, around 322 million men will experience ED, with Africa being heavily affected. Dr. Owusu mentioned that non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes can contribute to ED due to disease complications or inadequate treatment.
The sale of sexual enhancers is a booming business, with many bar operators, herbalists, and individuals creating their own concoctions. Some individuals, like public servant Kwame Amanfo and commercial driver Master Karkari, claim to have their own effective mixtures for enhancing sexual pleasure.
Kingsley Boamah, a pharmacist, mentioned that societal expectations about male sexual performance have driven many men to seek aphrodisiacs, leading to health issues. Dr. Kenneth Klufio, a urology specialist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, reported frequent cases of priapism, a painful prolonged erection, among men using aphrodisiacs.
Dr. Klufio urged men experiencing ED to seek medical help, emphasizing that ED affects quality of life and happiness, and treatment is available.
