'Hey man, how's your sex health?'

Tanya Farber | 2015-06-25 00:01:08.0

Sexologist Dr Eve wants men to speak more openly about sexual health during June – Men’s Health Awareness Month – and in the months to come. File photo
Image by: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

What topics are least likely to be discussed around the braai or when the rugby is on? Answer: erectile dysfunction, vasectomies, STIs and prostate and testicular cancer.

Sexologist Dr Eve wants men to speak more openly about sexual health during June – Men’s Health Awareness Month – and in the months to come.

She said: “Erectile dysfunction is very prevalent and should be taken seriously as an indicator of other health issues. This is particularly true in men over 45. If a man is younger, it could have more to do with performance anxiety.”

Cape Town urologist Anesh Naidoo said testicular cancer was the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 20 and 40, but that early treatment was “very effective” and men should examine their testicles for lumps.

Prostate cancer, on the other hand, more commonly affected men over the age of 45.

Andrea Thompson, who works at Marie Stopes South Africa, said vasectomies were highly effective, and “much less sore than men think”.

Mbuyiselo Botha, of the Gender Sonke Justice Network, which runs clinics for men, said men in South Africa “aren’t encouraged to articulate emotions unless it is anger”.

"Hey man, how"s your sex health?"