Newslifestylehealth-and-fitnessAzadi From Shame: 7 Sexual Health Problems Indians Are Too Embarrassed To Discuss
Azadi From Shame: 7 Sexual Health Problems Indians Are Too Embarrassed To Discuss
Written By :
- Prof (Dr) Saransh Jain
- ,News18.com
Last Updated:August 15, 2026, 11:36 IST
Couples may struggle with infertility while avoiding conversations about sexual health
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Indians embarrassed to discuss sexual health.
7 sexual health issues often go undiscussed.
Shame prevents seeking timely medical help.
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Infertility is not just a women’s issue. Male factors can also contribute significantly, either on their own or alongside female-related fertility problems. (Representative image: Canva)
India celebrates freedom with pride every year. But when it comes to sexual health, many people still struggle to talk openly, even with their doctors. A man may quietly live with erectile difficulties for years. A woman may tolerate pain during sex because she believes it is “normal”
Couples may struggle with infertility while avoiding conversations about sexual health. Others may have questions about masturbation, ejaculation or sexual desire but feel too embarrassed to ask
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Sexual health is a part of overall health, yet shame, social conditioning and misinformation often prevent people from seeking timely medical help. This Independence Day, perhaps it is time to think about another kind of freedom from embarrassment, myths and the fear of being judged
Here are seven sexual health concerns that many Indians may experience but often hesitate to discuss
Erectile Dysfunction: “What If People Think I’m Not a Man?”
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is one of the most common male sexual health concerns, yet it can be extremely difficult for men to talk about. ED means having persistent difficulty getting or maintaining an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual activity. Occasional erection problems can happen because of stress, tiredness, alcohol or anxiety. But repeated problems may require medical evaluation
Many men mistakenly associate erection problems with masculinity. Some may even resort to unverified “sex power” medicines or supplements instead of seeing a doctor. The reality is that erections depend on healthy blood vessels, nerves, hormones and psychological well-being. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and cardiovascular disease can contribute to ED
Premature Ejaculation: The Problem Men Rarely Admit
A man may feel embarrassed that he ejaculates sooner than he or his partner would like. This can lead to frustration, avoidance of intimacy and considerable performance anxiety. PE is more than simply “having sex for a short time.”
Doctors consider factors such as consistently ejaculating sooner than desired, difficulty delaying ejaculation and whether the situation causes personal or relationship distress. Psychological factors such as anxiety and relationship stress can contribute, while biological factors may also play a role
The biggest problem is often not the condition itself but the silence surrounding it. Many men try internet remedies, numbing products or unproven techniques without understanding why the problem is occurring
Pain During Sex: Women Shouldn’t Have to “Just Bear It”
Some women assume that pain during sex is simply something they have to tolerate. It isn’t. Pain can have many possible causes, including inadequate lubrication, vaginal infections, hormonal changes, pelvic-floor problems, endometriosis and other gynaecological conditions
Emotional factors such as anxiety or previous negative sexual experiences can also contribute. Pain may occur before penetration, during penetration or deeper during intercourse, and the location and nature of the pain can provide important clues
If pain is persistent or recurring, medical evaluation can help identify the cause instead of simply asking someone to “adjust” or tolerate it
Low Libido: “Why Don’t I Feel Like Having Sex?”
Not everyone experiences the same level of sexual desire, and libido naturally changes throughout life. However, a persistent or distressing reduction in sexual desire can sometimes indicate an underlying issue. Stress, relationship difficulties, poor sleep, depression, anxiety, hormonal changes, certain medications and medical conditions can all affect libido
In women, changes around menopause or other hormonal fluctuations may influence sexual desire and comfort. In men, low testosterone and other health conditions can sometimes contribute. The important question isn’t simply, “How often should a person want sex?” There is no universal number. The more important question is whether the change is unusual for that individual and whether it is causing distress
Delayed Ejaculation: When Sex Goes on and on
Delayed ejaculation occurs when a man experiences significant difficulty reaching ejaculation despite adequate sexual stimulation and the desire to climax. Some men may take an unusually long time to ejaculate, while others may be unable to do so during partnered sex. Possible contributing factors include anxiety, certain medications, diabetes-related nerve damage, neurological conditions, hormonal issues and relationship factors. In some cases, a man’s masturbation habits may also influence the type of stimulation his body becomes accustomed to. This condition can be particularly frustrating because people sometimes assume that being able to have prolonged intercourse is automatically a positive thing.
Infertility: Why Is the Blame Still Often Put on Women?
A common misconception is that infertility is primarily a woman’s problem. In reality, male factors contribute to infertility in a substantial proportion of couples, either alone or together with female factors
Problems with sperm production, sperm movement, sperm shape, hormonal disorders, certain infections, genetic conditions, lifestyle factors and some medical treatments can affect male fertility
Sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction or ejaculation disorders can also make conception difficult even when sperm production itself is normal. The stigma surrounding male infertility can prevent men from undergoing a simple evaluation, while women may undergo repeated tests and treatments without the couple receiving a complete assessment
Sexual Anxiety and Performance Pressure
Sometimes the biggest obstacle to a healthy sex life isn’t the body. It’s the pressure inside the mind. Performance anxiety can affect both men and women. A person may constantly worry about whether they will be able to maintain an erection, satisfy their partner, last long enough or reach orgasm. Instead of concentrating on intimacy and pleasurable sensations, the brain begins monitoring performance. This can create a vicious cycle
For example, a man may lose his erection once. He becomes worried it will happen again. During the next sexual encounter, he starts monitoring his erection. Anxiety increases, arousal decreases and the erection becomes difficult to maintain. The experience then reinforces his fear. Breaking this cycle may involve communication with a partner, reducing performance pressure and, when appropriate, professional counselling or sex therapy
This Independence Day, Let’s Choose Another Kind of Freedom
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Freedom is not only about being able to live, work and express ourselves independently. It also means being able to seek help for our health without fear or shame. Nothing is embarrassing about asking a doctor about an erection problem, painful intercourse, premature ejaculation, low libido or fertility
The more openly these issues are discussed, the easier it becomes for people to recognise symptoms, seek treatment and support their partners. Sexual health is healthcare. And healthcare should never be a azadi is the freedom to ask questions about your body, understand your sexual health and seek help when something doesn’t feel right
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Couples can improve communication about sexual health by talking openly about their concerns, such as infertility or erectile dysfunction, and by seeking medical advice rather than relying on unverified onlinest and understanding in a relationship
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About the Author
Prof (Dr) Saransh JainProf (Dr) Saransh Jain is the winner of the Swasth Bharat Rattan Award and is a Certified and Licensed Sexologist by the American Board of Sexology. He is currently a Senior Consultant at Dr SK Jain’s…Read More
tags :Sexual health
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Location :New Delhi, India, India
First Published:August 15, 2026, 11:36 IST
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