Drive? Is Low Libido Really The Problem?

By John Smith

I've been coming across a lot of articles lately that all talk about the huge need of Viagra for men. You see, the world and even the internet is stocked full with what is mostly just really good ad campaigns. Don't get me wrong. As a guy, I think the idea of Viagra 500mg pills is great, but is it really necessary? Advertising isn't just on the TV any more. It's all over the place, in your morning coffee, in your breakfast cereal, in your house cleaning items, on your facebook, on your phone calls-basically it's everywhere. When you are making a decision on what is good for your body and what is not, don't always go by what you read. Make a careful decision and council with the right people. I have the hardest time researching health issues on the internet because I know that most the time what folks have to say is basically just promoting a product and a lot of fluff to go with it.

Take the subject of Viagra for men, for example. Yes, there are times and situations when it's required, and under these circumstances it is no joke, but most the time you will hear people talking about viagra so casually, that I think we miss the purpose behind it all together. What started out as a pill to help those with ED, has now become crass joke or a quick-pop-solution for a date gone bad. You just can't expect to base your entire life on what you read because most of the information that we have has been pumped up to not only make you want to buy the product but to make a lifestyle out of it.

After some of the stuff that I read about Viagra 500mg pills, I decided to research the matter a bit. Some articles say that the pill should be used for men who have a low libido, and others say that it is only for ED. On the subject of low libido, some health experts write that 1 out of 4 men have it, other say that 1 out of 5 have it, and yet others say that 1 out of 7 have it. Who is right? We really can't say. What I would say, however, is be careful before you buy. Viagra should not be used as the pass time pill for a quick recreation that most people and internet articles put it out to be.

This is a pill popping world and we have a prescribed pill for just about every problem. Whether it's a common cold, a mild headache, and slight or severe depression everything comes with a prescription and is followed by a pill-sex is now in the same boat. There's a large number of young men who use Viagra more times than those over 40, just because they've heard it's a great rush. But they don't realise that there are adverse repercussions to such self-medication. What happened to the days of us working through our problems instead of looking for pills to do the work for us? A momentary infilling of Viagra might boost sexual performance for a hour or so, but is it really benefiting the body in the long run?

The use of Viagra for young men is not advised, because, let's face it-it's just not made for that. It's rare that young men have problems with genuine ED at all. If you have been examined by a doctor and have ED, then by all means, I give you the green on the blue pill. But if you're just experiencing a low in your sex life and the doc has said that it really has nothing to do with ED, then don't go rushing for the blue pill. There are other reasons for a lack of sexual drive, and the best part about these other reasons is that you can do something about it. You can feel strong enough to change your life with your own hands instead of relying a pill. Some of these other reasons are:

• Alcohol, smoking, or drug abuse
• Guilt of an extramarital relationship or pressure to perform with an extramarital partner
• Overwork
• Anxiety and tension
• Lack of exercise

Problems in your sex life could also be related to the side-effects of an illness or disorder. In these cases, it would definitely be best to not go the way of the crowd and depend on ED drugs, because doing so could make things worse. It's very common that people who complain of having problems with sex actually have underlying cardiac problems or diabetes. So while I'm not saying to throw Viagra and it's kin out the door all together, I will say this-don't go by everything you read. Play it safe and keep in control of your own life without having to rely on doctors and medications to do it for you.

Impotent at 24 years old?

Please read the following article to see if any of the items listed apply to you. If they do - then a lifestyle change for you is imminent. It shows how smoking, alcohol, drugs, prescription medicines, etc can affect a guy's penis and reproductive system. Stress, anxiety, depression, diet, lack of exercise all play an important role in your sexual health also.

Definite DON'Ts

Smoking - Nicotine reduces arterial pressure and as a result, prevents blood circulation to the penis. In addition, toxic substances from smoking are detrimental for sperm maturation.

Alcohol - Alcohol kills reproductive cells and decreases sperm viability. It also disrupts the link between the brain and the penis. Excessive use of alcohol inhibits the creation of the male sex hormone, androgen.

Marijuana - Sharply reduces the level of male sexual hormones, disrupts chromosomes and promotes undesired genetic changes.

Overweight - Being overweight can disrupt your hormone balance and, as a result, the production of hormones necessary for achieving erection can become insufficient.

Anabolic Steroids - Anabolic steroids bear a close resemblance to testosterone and as a result, the body stops its natural production causing impotence to occur.

High Cholesterol - Too much cholesterol blocks the vessels providing blood to the penis and thereby reduces the blood flow necessary to maintain an erection.

Chemical drugs - Studies show that out of two hundred most used medicines; as many as sixteen are likely to cause impotence. Among the most risky are drugs used for the treatment of high blood pressure, depression, insomnia, ulcers, tumors, plus a couple of medications used to combat allergy.

Sexting Risky For Teen Sexual Behavior

If your adolescent is sexting, they may be already sexually active and engaging in risky behavior, a new study suggests.

Researchers are trying to better understand if young people are at greater risk for HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases because they are sending sexually explicit photos or text messages via cell phones.

"Sexting" is not an alternative to "real world" sexual behavior among adolescents, according to a new study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

"The same teens who are engaging in digital sex risk taking through sexting are also the same teens that are engaging in sex risk with their bodies in terms of being sexually active and not using condoms," said lead study author Eric Rice, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California's School of Social Work in Los Angeles.

A 2009 report from the Pew Research Center found that some teens "view sexting as a safer alternative to real life sexual activity."

While the term "sexting" may also include messages also sent over the Internet, this particular study looked solely at cell phone text messages and images. It was conducted via questionnaire in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Researchers surveyed 1,839 students ages 12 to 18 at random. Most were Latino or African-American. Three-quarters of those surveyed had cell phones.

"Even though a minority of teens sext we only found 15% but that 15% are much riskier with their physical sexual behaviors as well as their digital sexual behaviors," says Rice.

He add that teens who reported sexting were seven times more likely to be sexually active than their peers who did not sext.

The data suggests there are norms about sexting, according to Rice, meaning teens are starting to think that sexting is a normal part of their behaviors. More than half of the teens surveyed reported that they had a friend who sexted.

"A lot of young people think that their friends are sexting, and if you think that your friends are sexting, you're much more likely to sext yourself," he said 17 times more likely, according to study.

"I think that the implications are that teens who are sexting may be at greater risk for sexually transmitted diseases because the teens who sext are about 1.5 times more likely to not use condoms when they're having sex," in addition to increasing the risk of teen pregnancy, Rice says.

This study was conducted in only one urban area; the authors realize that some of the results may not accurately represent rural areas. In addition, recent nationwide research found much lower rates of sexting.

However, Rice said this information can be valuable for parents.

"We [parents, clinicians, educators] should be talking about sexting and the fact that it's part of the risky sex behaviors and it's not just something that exists in a virtual space, so to speak," he said.

"Talking about sexting might be easier for [parents] than talking about sex and it could lead into a larger conversation about sex."

By Georgiann Caruso, CNN

Virginity: Boyfriend or Girlfriend

Although some teens who are going out don't pressure each other about sex, the truth is that in many relationships, one person wants to have sex although the other one doesn't.

Again, what matters most differs from person to person. Maybe one person in a relationship is more curious and has stronger sexual feelings than the other. Or another person has religious reasons why he or she doesn't want to have sex and the other person doesn't share those beliefs.

Whatever the situation, it can place stress and strain on a relationship - you want to keep your boyfriend or girlfriend happy, but you don't want to compromise what you think is right.

As with almost every other major decision in life, you need to do what is right for you and not anyone else. If you think sex is a good idea because a boyfriend or girlfriend wants to begin a sexual relationship, think again.

Anyone who tries to pressure you into having sex by saying, "if you truly cared, you wouldn't say no," or "if you loved me, you'd show it by having sex" isn't really looking out for you and what matters most to you. They're looking to satisfy their own feelings and urges about sex.

If someone says that not having sex after doing other kinds of fooling around will cause him or her physical pain, that's also a sign that that person is thinking only of himself or herself. If you feel that you should have sex because you're afraid of losing that person, it may be a good time to end the relationship.

Sex should be an expression of love - not something a person feels that he or she must do. If a boyfriend or girlfriend truly loves you, he or she won't push or pressure you to do something you don't believe in or aren't ready for yet.

By: D'Arcy Lyness, PhD