Modern genital-surgery can help sexually handicapped men to overcome their deficiency and lead a satisfied married life.
Problems of virility, sex and sterility in human males have received much attention since the advent of medicine.
Modern science and surgery for the male sex and reproductive systems, namely genito-andrology, is the counterpart of gynecology, which deals with the same system in women.
The common problems are those of genital defects, sterility and sexual inadequacy of various natures in males.
The story of human reproduction and procreation is the same as that of a seed and soil, the seed (sperm) has to come from the male and soil is the female. The ripe ovum from the female fertilized by a single, healthy sperm leads to conception. This single sperm is one of the millions, which are found in a single ejaculate. Roughly, the numbers of sperm in a single ejaculate area as many as the population of India.
At least in fifty per cent, of childless couples the cause of sterility is in the male, namely the absence of adequate, healthy sperm. In spite of this it is the female who is almost always held responsible for sterility. She is investigated, treated, operated upon and even divorced without the husband a much as being examined. The male ego and want of proper advice and assistance prevent him from submitting himself for a check-up and treatment.
The absence of sperm in the male ejaculate may be due either to the non-production of sperm or to obstruction in the pathway. Sometimes the sperm may not be healthy or are insufficient in numbers.
First it has to be established which one of the two factors is responsible for male sterility - non-production or obstruction. Semenolysis throws some light. The cause may be further ascertained by a study of the testicular structure. An obstructed pathway can be visualized by X-rays after introducing a radio-opaque dye. Thus the obstruction is pinpointed and can be removed by microsurgery. Non-productivity of sperm is treated by specific fertility drugs.
Sexual inadequacy is yet another subject which, contrary to common belief, is not a problem of any specific age. From minor mal-adjustments to major genital, sexual and glandular ailments are frequent in all age groups. Some realize their deficiencies and seek treatment. For the rest ignorance is unhappiness. Just as there are specific norms for intellectual and physical capacities, which are assessed by I.Q., height, weight, etc., there are norms for virility, which can be accurately measured.
Virility and sexual adequacy depend upon normal, healthy glands and genitals at birth, which develop and mature with age, maintaining vigor, vitality and virility till the demand exists. Improperly functioning glands, poor or ill-developed genitals lead to imperfect or delayed maturity, sexual asthenia or debility, early sexual decline and involution or shrinking of genital capacity.
The magnitude of the problem has to be accurately assessed for therapy to be effective. Besides physical examination, laboratory, histo-pathology (tissue analysis), radiography, hormonal assay and other investigations are employed.
Plastic and micro-surgery, androgens, fertility drugs, artificial devices like penile prosthesis and various other measures are employed to deal with; the inborn or developmental genital defects, infertility, sexual deficiency or early decline. Routine genitology checks during childhood, adolescence, at premarital stage and thereafter at regular intervals prevents much unhappiness in life.
Aphrodisiacs, thereby with the drug yohombine, L-dopa, procaine H3, cell implants, hormones alcohol, cocaine, LSD, hashish and marijuana are too frequently used to potentiate the sexual capacity. Medicine and surgery from the time of Sushruta to Steinache have been advocated for kayakalp and rejuvenation. A clear understanding of the problem and its magnitude, proper approach and thereby are the criterion of genito-andrology.
Newer methods are employed to deal with sex problems, which are due to a lack of understanding or maladjustments. The sex therapy of Masters, behavior therapy suggested by Wolpe and quite a few others are in vogue now.
How much does happiness in sex and family life mean to an individual? Dr. Byron, a well-known U.S. psychoanalyst, has from the analysis of 15,000 cases observed that psychic problems are manifestations of sex maladies in 95 per cent of the cases. Even after allowing a big discount for the Western civilization's views, the fact remains that a satisfied sex life is important for overall happiness in life.