Sex, shameand stigma
with the sensitive side of men’s health.
The current state of men’s health
were surveyed about men’s intimate health
Sexual performance
and mental health
The survey data shows that 46% of Australian men admit their sexual performance impacts their mental health, while 97% of women believe the link to be true.
Ultimately, this may suggest men aren’t joining the dots, and lack awareness that their sex life and performance can impact other facets of their lives, including mental health.
Men are clearly being too
harsh on themselves.
Porn and performance
When it comes to the effect pornography may have on performance, men and women have differing opinions.
63% of men think porn has a positive, or no impact on men’s sexual performance, while just 36% of women think the same.
33% of women believe it has a negative effect, but only 15% of men agree.
Porn can impact sexual expectations––whether it’s creating unrealistic expectations of sex or inducing performance anxiety.
These misaligned expectations are often what reinforce the element of shame in men seeking professional help for valid and often treatable sexual performance issues.
It’s no secret that lifestyle factors like vaping, smoking, drinking, recreational drugs, and even steroid use can affect sexual abilities, but is there more that could be done to educate men if they’re not comfortable talking to their GP?
The need for services for men to disclose their intimate concerns and understand more about sex in a healthy, shame-free environment has never been more critical.
Substances and drugs
The research reveals 22% of Australian men have experienced sexual performance issues after taking illicit drugs.
This lines up with the female experience, with 24% of women surveyed noting performance issues from a partner after he’d used illicit drugs.
Reluctant to seek medical advice
Despite the fact that sexual performance problems are most often treatable, men are still not seeking help.
Despite the fact that sexual performance problems are most often treatable, men are still not seeking help.
Survey data revealed 71% of men are avoiding consultation with a healthcare professional. 54% confirmed the barriers to seeking professional help include embarrassment (25%), a preference to explore online first (15%) and thinking there is nothing they can do (12%).
84% of women think that their partner should go to a healthcare professional if he experienced a performance issue.
As shame is the major driver for not seeking help, these statistics again highlight the importance of stigma-free health services for men.
It’s clear that shame remains one of the strongest barriers to men seeking professional help for sexual performance issues.
What women think
Through our research, it became clear that men are their own harshest critics.
Almost all women (94%) say they wouldn’t judge partners because they haven’t lasted as long as expected. However, 33% of men say that they have felt judged by a partner in this situation.
It’s important to acknowledge that all individuals can influence and contribute to social stigma, therefore both men and women are responsible for dispelling myths about sexual performance.
How Pilot is doing
men’s health differently
Since 2019, Pilot has helped over
Aussie men take control of their intimate health, delivering proven treatments online.
Our practitioners specialise in areas of weight, hair loss, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, providing effective treatments in an approachable and discreet setting.
Pilot’s mission is to improve men’s health literacy and increase access to expert medical and mental health support.
Our digital clinic has grown to become one of the largest men’s healthcare providers in Australia. Yet, with 71% of men avoiding consultation with a healthcare professional when it comes to intimate health, it’s clear we still have a long way to go.
The results of this study show there’s a misplaced sense of shame among men when it comes to their intimate health.
Our message to men is that there are effective, discreet treatments available and we are here to help. There’s no reason to suffer in silence anymore.
Pilot helps men take healthcareinto their own hands
Pilot is a proud supporter of TIACS, a free confidential phone and text counselling service that focuses on mental health and wellbeing in the blue-collar community.
TIACS professional mental health counsellors are highly skilled in understanding issues that impact men, and their down-to-earth approach makes it easy to reach out and connect about everyday struggles.
www.tiacs.org
