All You Wanted to Know About Sex (15 page)

Belief in such sympathetic potential is a feature of various homeopathic therapies and magical procedures. The success of such remedies is usually quite coincidental, or the result of the extra care and sensitivity that accompany the situation in which they are given or taken. If they do not work, it can always be said that they were not prepared or used properly.

When the partners conspire to use a love potion, the result is often self-fulfilling prophecy.

Organs from Animals

Testes or testes extracts are quite commonly used as male aphrodisiacs and rejuvenators. Sheep testes are enjoyed as gourmet delicacies but are without special powers. Injectables from these and other animal tissues are considered unethical in a few countries.

Every culture has its own special aphrodisiacs. To this day many rhinos, elephants, deer, sheep and other animals lose their lives so that their penises, testes, horns, tusks or other organs can be used to improve the sex lives of those who believe in their efficacy. Technologically advanced societies put their faith in other kinds of aphrodisiacs.

Cola and asprin, for example, were considered a good bet about sixty years ago and more lately marijuana or cannabis.

Pharmaceuticals

Cocaine
is increasingly used, although illegally as a recreational drug and has some reputation as an aphrodisiac. When it is inhaled like a snuff or taken intravenously; the resulting
High
often gives a feeling of power and with a feeling of potency and desirability.

Erections are often prolonged and orgasm delayed, for those who think longer is better, this is viewed as a plus, as in the drug-induced sense of accomplishment.

Sexual drawbacks also exist. Extended cocaine use can lead to Priapism, a prolonged painful erection in men and prolonged vaginal dryness in women. In both senses cocaine use can lead to an extension of copulation time but an inability to reach orgasm.

Other drugs reputed to enhance sexual experience are
Amyl Nitrite
and
Isobutyl Nitrite
. These drugs induce physiological changes—increased heart rate and blood flow. It may be personally interpreted as signs of sexual excitement. These drugs sold as volatile liquids, are usually inhaled at the start of sex play, or at impending orgasm. They are not necessarily innocuous. Increased blood flow can have detrimental effect if one happens to suffer from heart, cerebrovascular or eye disease.

Viagra
is also very widely used in many countries. It is very popular to increase stimulation.

Easily available drugs such as Amphetamines, Antidepressants, Tranquilizers, Stimulants and Antipsychotic preparations account for more than 60% of all prescriptions. When depression and anxiety are relieved, Libido and Potency tend to increase. In many people Amphetamines and Stimulants seem to energise sexual response. But the effects vary from person to person.

Among tonics are some such, as the various combinations of Phosphorus, which have a decidedly strong positive influence, sexually. Others again diminish general tension and inhibit, the function of bladder and bowels but stimulate desire; the chief of these is Opium with its derivatives.

In Ayurvedic medical system oxides of gold and silver have also aphrodisiac effects. Gold and silver leaves are also used.

Placebo Medicines

Alcohol

It is said that “drink provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.” Perhaps the most widely used sexual stimulant is alcohol.

In small amount its invigorating influence is universally admitted. But in large quantities, it paralyses the genital function on the physical side, while at the same time it breaks down psychic inhibitions and controls. Habitual drunkenness is extremely harmful to the sexual organs and functions. In men, impotence due to alcohol is common.

Tea, Coffee, Tobacco

Excessive use of tea, coffee and tobacco also produce unfavourable results like alcohol.

Acid drinks such as lemonade, in large quantities, seem generally to diminish sexual desire.

Marijuana

Prolonged marijuana use severely reduces both sexual activity and sperm production in man because it depresses the production of androgen. But like alcohol it certainly reduces inhibitions.

Marijuana appears to be effective because the persons using them expect a specific result and act in such a way that their expectations become reality. This is the Famous Placebo Effect at Work. The situations in which such drugs are used often reflect a tacit understanding that sexual activity will follow.

Harmless Devices

There are a few aids which have no harmful reaction. These are hot cushions, or pillows applied at the lumber region, sitz baths or hip baths, massage and special exercises.

Anaphrodisiacs

Anaphrodisiacs are those substances that reliably decrease arousal or enthusiasm for sex. These are used in the treatment of various sex offenders. Although their list is very long, yet the list of drugs producing the desired result is short.

Salt petre known as Potassium Nitrate is the most often mentioned anaphrodisiacs. But in large doses it can be fatal. It can increase the urine flow.

Heroin, opium and other opiates are effective anaphrodisiacs, with their sedative and anaesthetic effects. These drugs diminish libido, potency and orgasm. Sexual interest is replaced by passivity and a craving for the drug itself. These are banned in most countries.

Barbiturates are indeed downers when it comes to sex. Like alcohol, they take away inhibition. But with increased use they also take away sexual interest and potency. In women who abuse barbiturates menstrual and ovulatory abnormalities are common.

Pharmaceutical companies have been successful in developing several anti-sexual drugs. One is Cyproterone Accetate (CA) which acts by competing with testosterone so that the hormone can not do its work. The drug reduces the libido, erectile potential and orgasmic capacity.

A Warning

A layman should not touch these powerful toxic substances, either in concentrated form, or masked among much advertised Secret Remedies to restore virility, without professional consultation and advice.

Impotence is a serious and complex condition. It may arise from so many different causes that its treatment is a matter for medical specialist. Attempts to force up sexual desires and the normal degree of sexual vigour, by powerful artificial means, must sooner or later cause damage.

Don’t jump into the nets of the Quacks. The quacks and fake physicians earn their gold by feeding the gullible with lots of so-called high potency giving medicines which do show favourable effects initially, but the users have to suffer so seriously later that they really become sexually impotent because of the harmful effects of those medicines.

Old-Age Sexual Problems

According to the findings of Kinsey and his associates only about one fourth of all males become impotent by the age of 70. Even here many cases are due to psychological factors only.

More recent studies have indicated that men and women in their 80’s and 90’s are quite capable of enjoying sex.

Sexual Response

Every mental and physical aspect of each phase of the sexual response cycle changes with age. The changes are slow and subtle, and vary according to the constitution, health and the mental outlook of the person concerned. But with a receptive and active sexual partner the changes will be slower. But if sexual opportunities are infrequent they may be quicker.

New Outlook on Old-Age Sex

Until recently it was believed that women past the menopause and men over 50 lost interest in sex. This reflected the convention that tied sex to child bearing capacity. Sex in later life was subject for ridicule carrying the image of
Dirty Old Man
and the
Frustrated Old Woman
. This idea of the senior citizens indulging in sex damaged the dignity that the elderly are supposed to have. The young are often reluctant to see their parents or grand parents as sexual beings.

Research findings indicate that the assumption that old age is non-sexual or neuter was found to be a myth.

Many researchers reported that while ageing was accompanied by a general decline in frequency of sexual activities, but much depended on previous experience, parent attitude and aspiration for the future.

It has also been observed that in general, Those who arrive early at the party stay late, and those who came late leave early.

Changes in Old Age

In men as the age advances, erection is slower, coitus less urgent and orgasm delayed. Each phase and mechanism in the sexual response changes at its own rate. At first the intensity of orgasm is to weaken and if one lives long enough, it will fade completely. Then erectile ability declines.

Women have to contend with more physical changes as they age than men. This is largely due to the rapid decrease in female hormones, at the menopause between the age of 45 and 55. The discomfort of dryness in the vagina is also felt.

Parents who face ageing realistically and adjust accordingly find no diminished pleasure in sex.

Organ Atrophy

The wasting and shrinking of an organ or tissue such as the testicles is known as organ atrophy.

If any organ is not used at all or used a very little it starts to develop atrophies. Inactivity of the testicles help to bring about premature senility and degeneracy. It makes the people sad and without enthusiasm. It also causes physical weakness.

On the other hand moderate and suitable use of the sexual function—which is possible up to a very great age—keeps the whole organism comparatively vigorous and efficient.

That is why doctors often advise the ageing people to continue regular sexual intercourse, in the fifties and sixties, unless specific morbid symptoms counter indicate.

Psychosexual Disorders

Psychosexual disorders are a group of sexual disorders stemming from psychological rather than organic factors, and comprising gender identity disorders, paraphillias, psychosexual dysfunctions, ego-dystonic homosexuality and nymphomania etc.

Paraphilia

Paraphilia is distorted form of sexuality in which sexual excitement is achieved in unusual ways. They include coprophilia, exhibitionism, fetishism, frotteurism, klismaphilia, misophilia, neurophilia, paedophilia, sexual masochism, sexual sadism, telephone scatalogia, transvestism, voyeurism, and zoophilia.

Homosexuality

Sexual preference for members of one’s own sex, based on mutual attraction that may be limited to sexual fantasies and feelings, is called
Homosexuality
. It usually involves overt sexual activities ranging from kissing, fondling, friction and mutual masturbation to fellatio and intercourse. Anilingus among men and cunnilingus and tribadism among women.

Tribadism is a lesbian practice in which one partner lies on top of the other and stimulates coitus by rubbing the genitals together.

Female homosexuals are called
Lesbian
, male homosexuals are called
Gay
and hetrosexuals are called
straight
.

Alternate Sexual Life Style

In our society hetrosexuality has been regarded as the appropriate mode of sexual behaviour, while homosexuality has been regarded as a mental dis-order and homosexuals as
Sick Persons
in need of treatment.

On the basis of various research findings, homosexuality is now regarded as an alternate sexual life style. In a number of countries homosexuality is now legal. The majority of homosexuals accept their homosexuality, fulfill their responsible social roles. They have no more personality maladjustment than do hetrosexuals. Homosexual individuals are marrying each other and living together.