Ranveer Singh's ad, while in good taste and humour, finds doctors appreciative of the actor for talking about men's sexual health.
Actor Ranveer Singh has teamed up with adult film star Johnny Sins to advocate for men's sexual health. (Screengrab)
We’ve got a question for you. What would happen if the fashionably loud and vibrant Ranveer Singh teamed up with adult film star Johnny Sins?
But hold your horses — this isn’t about a surprising career switch for Singh or Sins. Instead, it’s about them collaborating to thrust the spotlight on a rather neglected subject — men’s sexual health! And he didn’t even have to “die” for it!
In a groundbreaking collaboration that has sent shockwaves through both the realms of entertainment and health advocacy, Bollywood’s dynamic force, Ranveer Singh, has teamed up with the Johnny Sins, in a captivating advertising campaign. This campaign aims to cast a spotlight on the crucial yet often overlooked topic of men’s sexual health, leaving the internet abuzz and opinions divided.
Andrologists, specialised urologists dealing exclusively with male infertility and men’s sexual health, reveal to South First that numerous studies indicate that thousands of marriages in India remain unconsummated.
A recent review by Dr Krishnappa in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, highlights that vaginismus in women and erectile dysfunction in men are common culprits, leading to unconsummated marriages and, in some cases, even divorce, affecting up to 24 percent of couples with these issues.
“Our study, based on various review papers, showed that contrary to common assumptions, up to 56 percent of men in unconsummated marriages were well-educated with university degrees,” Dr Krishnappa shared.
Another study by the Alpha One Andrology Group, involving nearly 2,500 Indian men with erectile dysfunction (ED), revealed that ED affects 50 percent of men over 40 years of age, and 10 percent below 40 years. Shockingly, one in five men with ED faced divorce, while one in ten teetered on the brink of marital dissolution due to this condition.
Dr Krishnappa points out that longstanding stigmas and societal norms have forced many men into silence, driven by shame or fear. The underreporting of men’s sexual health, lack of awareness, and stigma around the issue remain concerning.
“The ones who report to clinics with their concerns are a few. Our study highlighted that unconsumated marriages are multifactorial in nature, with factors ranging from psychological issues like performance anxiety to physiological concerns such as congenital penile curvature,” Dr Krishnappa explains.
Speaking to South First, Dr Mohan Krishnamurthy, a uro-andrologist at Fortis Hospitals in Bengaluru, stresses the importance of discussing sexual health openly, regardless of gender. “It is an absolute necessary that we talk about sexual health. Many men, especially in rural areas, due to lack of knowledge, and access to accurate information and health services, resort to traditional remedies and hearsay, only to find the condition worsening, thus further preventing them from seeking professional help,” he explains.
Dr CR Chandrashekar, a Padma Shri awardee and renowned psychiatrist from Bengaluru, asserts, “The silence surrounding men’s sexual health in India is not just a matter of personal anguish; it has broader implications for public health and societal well-being. The reluctance to engage in open dialogue perpetuates a cycle of ignorance, fear, and untreated conditions, affecting relationships, mental health, and overall quality of life.”
Dr Mahesh G, a clinical psychologist from Bengaluru, tells South First that in a society that often equates masculinity with strength and invulnerability, the sexual health concerns of men frequently go unaddressed, hidden in silence and stigma.
“Hundreds of my patients’ primary concern deals with their sexual health and that is interconnected to various forms of psychological disorders. This affects their quality of life and relationships,” he says.
Doctors emphasise the imperative need for men to take their sexual health seriously. While many conditions can be treated and cured with timely detection, the stigma surrounding these issues often causes significant delays in seeking treatment. Men are encouraged to schedule appointments with an andrologist or even a urologist, if a uro-andrologist is not available in their area.
Among the four common sexual health concerns in men, erectile dysfunction tops the list as one of the most prevalent issues. While there is no exact data on the incidence of ED, especially in India, doctors unanimously agree that the number of ED cases is alarmingly on the rise.
1. Erectile Dysfuntion
ED is characterised by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. While aging is often associated with an increased risk, lifestyle factors such as poor dietary choices, obesity, smoking, stress, and other lifestyle diseases play a crucial role.
Dr Krishnamurthy notes, “Psychological factors like stress, anxiety, emotional trauma, poor body image, etc, can cause the inability to achieve adequate erections in younger age groups. I have seen patients with smoking, lifestyle factors like poor diet, alcohol, substance abuse, leading to damage in the blood vessels and restricting blood flow, which can increase the risk of ED.”
Intimate connections usually rely on both physical and emotional intimacy, and when men undergo problems like ED, this can strain both aspects, leading to frustration, disappointment, and feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
2. Premature ejaculation
Another condition that remains largely under the radar, despite being a common sexual concern, is premature ejaculation.
The American Urological Association highlights that premature ejaculation, defined as ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired, either before or shortly after sexual penetration, can lead to feelings of frustration and inadequacy among affected men.
3. Low testosterone levels or low libido
Low testosterone levels, or hypogonadism, can lead to diminished libido, decreased desire for intercourse, ED, and a host of other physical and psychological symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and loss of muscle mass.
Testosterone maintains sex drive, sperm production, muscle, hair, and bone. Low testerone can affect one’s body and mood. The condition, often dubbed “Low T”, becomes more prevalent with age but can also result from health issues like diabetes and obesity, add doctors.
4. Male infertility
Dr Devika Gunasheela, chairperson of Gunasheela Hospitals, tells South First that the male factor contributes nearly 40-50 percent to infertility. Inability to conceive due to the male factor could be due to various conditions, including sexual dysfunction.
She adds, “Many men refuse to get tested for their condition as it hurts their ego. But this is changing. Now, they listen and understand. Counselling and creating awareness on male sexual health are the keys to beating the stigma around this.”
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