The Bane of Priapus
It is commonly accepted that the single most searched-for subject on the Internet is sex - a Google search using “sex” as the keyword will yield in the region of half a billion hits. Putting pornography aside, the glut of information available on the web covering sexual concerns of an organic, drug-induced or psychological origin seems infinite. From issues of penis-length to erectile dysfunction, dyspareunia and vaginismus, to hypoactive sexual arousal disorder; the “solutions” for hyposexual pathologies come in an equally dazzling variety:
Herbal: Yohimbe, Maca, Damiana, Horny Goat Weed, Ashwagandha, Anise, Suma, Ginseng, Bacopa monnieri
Hormonal: Androgen-Estrogen therapy, Methyl-testosterone creams/injections, DHEA, Oxytocin(1).
Nutritional: L-arginine, honey, oysters, pumpkin seeds, bananas, celery, coriander, sage
Spiritual: Tantra, Karma Sutra
Cultural: swinging, orgies, covens, prostitutes, sex surrogates, toys, pornography
Psychological: counselling, psycho- and sex- therapy, marriage guidance
Aromatic: rose, patchouli, Ylang Ylang, even scents extracted from someone's armpits(2)
Medical: Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Naltrexone, Papaverine, Alprostadil, Phentolamine, Apomorphine
Surgical: revascularisation surgery, semi-rigid and inflatable rod implants
Mechanical: vacuum pumps, weights, rings, clamps, lubricants, vibrators, “Orgasmatron”(3)
“Chemical”: Ecstasy (3,4-Methylene-Dioxymetaamphetamine; MDMA - “the Love-Pill”), LSD, alcohol.
Auditory/sensual: Barry White, sweet whispers and promises, massage
“Traditional”: Spanish Fly, elk antler velvet, tiger penis, lizard sweat, rhino horn, goat testicles.
The search for more or better sex through libido-enhancing aphrodisiacs and/or agents to increase physical performance (penis length, duration of erections, lubrication) is a multi-billion dollar industry (Pfizer made nearly half a billion US dollars in 2010 from Viagra sales alone) that has been carried down through the ages. Perhaps it is not surprising then, that far less information is available concerning the other side of the coin – hypersexuality.
Herbal: Yohimbe, Maca, Damiana, Horny Goat Weed, Ashwagandha, Anise, Suma, Ginseng, Bacopa monnieri
Hormonal: Androgen-Estrogen therapy, Methyl-testosterone creams/injections, DHEA, Oxytocin(1).
Nutritional: L-arginine, honey, oysters, pumpkin seeds, bananas, celery, coriander, sage
Spiritual: Tantra, Karma Sutra
Cultural: swinging, orgies, covens, prostitutes, sex surrogates, toys, pornography
Psychological: counselling, psycho- and sex- therapy, marriage guidance
Aromatic: rose, patchouli, Ylang Ylang, even scents extracted from someone's armpits(2)
Medical: Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Naltrexone, Papaverine, Alprostadil, Phentolamine, Apomorphine
Surgical: revascularisation surgery, semi-rigid and inflatable rod implants
Mechanical: vacuum pumps, weights, rings, clamps, lubricants, vibrators, “Orgasmatron”(3)
“Chemical”: Ecstasy (3,4-Methylene-Dioxymetaamphetamine; MDMA - “the Love-Pill”), LSD, alcohol.
Auditory/sensual: Barry White, sweet whispers and promises, massage
“Traditional”: Spanish Fly, elk antler velvet, tiger penis, lizard sweat, rhino horn, goat testicles.
The search for more or better sex through libido-enhancing aphrodisiacs and/or agents to increase physical performance (penis length, duration of erections, lubrication) is a multi-billion dollar industry (Pfizer made nearly half a billion US dollars in 2010 from Viagra sales alone) that has been carried down through the ages. Perhaps it is not surprising then, that far less information is available concerning the other side of the coin – hypersexuality.
"priapism[prī′əpiz′əm]
Etymology: Gk, priapos, phallus.
"An abnormal condition of prolonged or constant penile erection, often painful and seldom associated with sexual arousal. It may result from localized infection, a lesion in the penis or the central nervous system, or the use of medications or recreational drugs such as cocaine. It sometimes occurs in men who have acute leukemia or sickle cell anemia."
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier (quoted from "The Free Dictionary")
Etymology: Gk, priapos, phallus.
"An abnormal condition of prolonged or constant penile erection, often painful and seldom associated with sexual arousal. It may result from localized infection, a lesion in the penis or the central nervous system, or the use of medications or recreational drugs such as cocaine. It sometimes occurs in men who have acute leukemia or sickle cell anemia."
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier (quoted from "The Free Dictionary")