Sexual health

Physical, mental and social well-being

Sexual health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in the field of sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relations, as well as the possibility of having sexual experiences that are pleasing and safe, free from coercion, discrimination or violence. (World Health Organization -WHO).

Physical, mental and social well-being. It is therefore not a break in the femur or a urinary tract infection that is treated by immobilizing the limb or by prescribing antibiotics that we are dealing with. For it to work, the physical and the psychic must go hand in hand. It is a perfect mind/body symphony that we are looking for.

Sexual dysfunction disorders can be caused by desire-related disorders that are characterized by a lack or absence of sexual appetite. Frigidity can be general and can last a lifetime. The causes vary widely, but they include a possible decrease in the production of estrogen in women or testosterone in men but also in women.

It is therefore necessary to look at the problem on two aspects, namely that of the psychic and that of the physical which are in fact two totally different aspects of the problem.

Mental Aspect /Sexual Desire

Sexual stimuli and desire

For sexual relations to be possible, a set of stimuli is first needed. The latter are different for everyone. For some, perfumes, roses and romance are very important elements while others prefer porn movies. The definition of sexual health of the world organization does not suit everyone because some need a boost or to be humiliated to know the happiness sought and finally the orgasm. Some will be faithful all their lives while others will prefer to have several partners. Finally, the list is endless and we make no judgment as to whether certain behaviors say « out of the ordinary » are or should be socially accepted. According to the Right Honourable Trudeau Sr. when he was Prime Minister:« We have no business in the bedroom of Canadians » and we follow his instructions.

Once the set of stimuli is present, it is still necessary that the mind is in a state to transform them into sexual desire. For example, it’s Friday afternoon and you’ve planned a lovers’ dinner and a hellish night with your favorite. You are so stimulated that you forget the work to think only of tonight. On the other hand, you learn at 4:00 p.m. that your position is cut and that you lose your job. There are probably no sexologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, aphrodisiac substances (maca, 5-star ginseng, ginger, gingko biloba, etc.), drugs (cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, etc.), medicines (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc.) or physical aids (beet, spinach, celery powder, etc.) that can bring back your sexual desire. It is then said that your problem is in the head.

All these aspects are the responsibility of psychiatrists, sexologists, doctors and other specialists in this type of problem and are not within our competence. They will therefore not be addressed.

Consequences of sexual stimulation in women and men

For both men and women, sexual (mental) stimulation has the effect of releasing a whole set of chemicals (physical) that direct blood flow in the genitals.

In men (but also in women/clitoris), this blood flow is directed to the cavernous body, inside the penis. It is this blood flow that enters and is retained in the cavernous body that creates the erection. Sexual stimulation causes the release of nitric oxide (NO),which is one of the main mediators that causes an erection.

In women, the clitoris has a vascularization that makes it erectile. It is also the most sensitive organ that can be found in women. When stimulated (mental aspect), it triggers an opening and lubrication of the vagina and congestion of the organs (physical aspect) when the body prepares for sexual intercourse.

Aphrodisiacs and drugs such as cannabis to amplify sexual stimuli

An aphrodisiac is defined as any food or drug that arouses sexual instinct and increases pleasure and performance. The use of certain plants and also certain animal substances such as velvet wood and rhino horns are known to stimulate sexual brain functions, has existed since Adam and Eve. True or false? As long as they are safe or taken as recommended by Health Canada, it is up to you alone to judge. For us, we believe that there is no smoke without fire and if the Orientals have been using them since the dawn of time, there is certainly some truth and some of them are certainly effective. On the other hand, this is our own judgment and we will only give certain facts without judging them. In fact, Health Canada does not allow us to do that.

With regard to Health Canada’s position on this type of product, apart from maca, for which it allows the timid recommended end of « Helps support the emotional aspects of sexual health, » it does not recognize any other effective product in boosting human libido functions. However, several products recognized by Asians as fantastic aids to sexual well-being are accepted by Health Canada but for medicinal purposes other than those of helping sexual well-being. All products we offer meet Health Canada’s requirements and are accepted for sale but for purposes other than sexual purposes.

Best known aphrodisiacs:

In cases where sexual desire is present and the individual does not have a problem requiring the intervention of mental health specialists,aphrodisiacs could help amplify the reception of stimuli. There are dozens if not hundreds of them mainly in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. The vast majority of them are unknown in the West and cannot be sold in Canada because they are not accepted (never presented for approval) and/or not acceptable for safety reasons by Health Canada.

On the other hand, many plants with claims to sexual desire are sold with a product licence from Health Canada but for medicinal roles different from those of sex. The main accepted plants are:

• Panax Ginseng: Mental stress; physical stress, glucose
• Ginseng 5 stars / quinquefolius: glucose, nervousness, adaptogen,
• Maca: emotional aspects of sexual health,antioxidants
• Ginger: nausea, vomiting, appetite, indigestion,
• Artichoke: digestive disorders, secretion of bile
• Ashwagandha: regenerative tonic, sleep aid, memory, general weakness
• Cayenne: digestion, peripheral circulation
• Fenugreek: cuts, burns, irritations
• Royal jelly: antioxidant, nutritious tonic
• Gingko biloba: cognitive functions, peripheral circulation
• Rhodiola: adaptogen, stress, cognitive function

The causes of a weakening of libido in men

Testosterone is the hormone responsible for libido in both men and women. For testosterone to promote youthful sexual performance, interest and satisfaction, it must be freely available to the receptor sites of brain cells. 90% of testosterone is produced by the testicles, the rest by the adrenal glands. In brain cells, testosterone plays two roles. It acts as an aphrodisiac hormone but also as an anabolic hormone in the development of bones and skeletal muscles. Aging men often attribute the decrease in their sexual potency to testosterone deficiency but this is not the basic problem. The total testosterone level of men aged 50 to 70 is not much different from that of younger adults.

Free testosterones vs related testosterones vs libido

Testosterones therefore have two functions, that of anabolic and that of libido. Some of these bind to serum globulin (protein). By binding to this protein, it no longer becomes available to the sites of cell receptors that induce sexual desire. The hormone that controls free testosterone levels is sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). When testosterone binds to SHBG, it loses its biological activity and becomes a bound testosterone. With age, the amount of testosterone related to GBS increases in favor of those that are not, thus decreasing sexual desire. The decline in interest in sex that occurs over the years is therefore not due to the amount of testosterone produced but rather to the increase in testosterone bonds with globulin through SGBH. In men, a simple and safe way to increase their free testosterone levels is to prevent its conversion into excess estrogen.

Causes of a weakened libido in women

After menopause, about 15% of women experience a significant decrease in sexual desire. This is called anaphrodisia, lack of desire. Women are more concerned than men. According to an IFOP survey (2010), 53% of them are confronted with lack of desire, 44% for these gentlemen. Libido depends on the secretions of sex hormones. For both men and women, testosterone is at the center of the desire mechanism. It is produced by the testicles, ovaries and adrenal glands.

In women, other hormones are involved: estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is secreted at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and reaches the peak of production just before ovulation which increases libido. Then, it is the turn of progesterone (hormone promoting pregnancy) to be released and libido so much down. Then it is the turn of prolactin that stimulates milk production in the mammary gland which also lowers sexual desire.

Physical aspects

In cases where problems remain (erectile problems in men and vaginal dryness in women for example) when all the mental conditions are met, testosterone and estrogen levels are normal and the neural transmitters do their job, this is the physical side that must be explored.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction or impotence is characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. The causes can be psychic as mentioned but, unlike orgasm disorder, the majority of erectile disorders in men are physical, especially in their fifties. It can be caused by cardiovascular disease in older people with atherosclerosis and vascular diseases that are found in people with diabetes mellitus, lower limb arterial disease, hypertension and finally, in those who smoke and suffer from obesity.

Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by taking certain medications such as antidepressants and those that aim to regulate hypertension. For these problems in particular, we suggest that you discuss them with your doctor. It should be noted that erectile dysfunction is rarely caused by hormonal deficiency.

Functioning of the cavernous bodies in men and women and their nitrate needs

The cavernous body is a spongy ball of small nerves surrounded by blood vessels that are found in a man’s penis and in a woman’s clitoris. In men, the achievement of an erection and optimal sensations, and in women, sexual pleasure and the achievement of orgasm, depend on its proper functioning. The cavernous body becomes active when, during periods of sexual arousal, it becomes engorged with blood.

Plant sources of nitrate

Researchers from Kingston University; Surrrey, United Kingdom, presented a new, accurate, reliable ion chromatography method for measuring nitrate NO₃^– and nitrite NO₂^– in food products [The primary aim of this study was to develop a new accurate, reliable and robust ion chromatography].

Their method of measuring nitrate and nitrite contents is applied to three vegetable juices: beet, black radish and celery juices, and to five vegetable powders: beet, spinach, celery, carrot and tomato powders.

On average, the results were as follows:

Samples	Nitrate NO3concentration – [mg kg-1]	Nitrite NO2concentration – [mg kg-1]
Beet juice	476	38
Black radish juice	799	Not determined
Celery juice	256	Not determined
Beet powder	16478	79
Spinach powder	28867	42
Celery powder	717	11
Carrot powder	621	Not determined
Tomato powder	113	27

 

The authors drew attention to spinach powder. While the results of measurements of nitrate NO concentrations₃^– and nitrite NO₂^– in beet juice give rise to significant variations when, on the same batch, the measurements are repeated several times a day or from one day to the next, the results of the measurements of nitrate NO concentrations₃^– and in nitrite NO₂^– spinach powder are, on the contrary, remarkably stable from one control to another. (1)

Source (1): Shah, I., Petroczy, A., James, R.A. and Naughton, D.P. (2013) Determination of nitrate and nitrite content of dietary supplements using ion chromatography. Journal of Analytical and Bioanalytical Techniques S12:003.doi:10.4172/2155-9872.S12-003