Book Review

Title: Sexual Health for Men
Authors: Dr Philip Kell and Vanessa Griffiths
Publisher: Class Publishing, London
ISBN: 1 85959 011 X
Price: £9.99

At first glance, I felt the title of the book was slightly misleading. The term Sexual Health encompasses many areas including sexual dysfunction, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and fertility. Consequently, I expected to find many of these areas covered in the book. However, further reading revealed that the book focuses on Male Sexual Dysfunction.
The book is one of a series of "at your fingertips" guides on various health topics. It is in easy to read question and answer format. It starts with a couple of chapters explaining the nature of male sexual dysfunction, what causes it and the effects of other medical conditions on sexual function.
There is a rather brief chapter on relationships and their relevance to sexual dysfunction. Although the importance of good communication is stressed, I felt the whole topic of relationships was dealt with cursorily. On a positive note, the book does acknowledge homosexual and heterosexual relationships.

There are six chapters dealing comprehensively with the treatment of erectile dysfunction, including counselling. There is a useful comparison of the oral treatments available as well as intra urethral and intra cavernosal alprotadil. Eligibility for NHS Prescriptions and schedule 11 is explained well. The advantages and disadvantages of vacuum devices and surgery for erectile dysfunction are also discussed.

The last two chapters cover ejaculation problems and Peyronie's disease. There is a useful glossary and a list of relevant addresses, web sites and other publications.

There are areas of Male Sexual Dysfunction that were either not covered well or hardly at all. Loss of libido is referred to in several of the chapters, but I think a chapter devoted to this would have been more useful. Similarly, painful intercourse in men was briefly discussed. Interestingly, female dyspareunia was often referred to as a cause for sexual dysfunction in men!

Overall, I think this is a useful self-help book for men with sexual dysfunction and their partners. I will certainly add it to the list of books I recommend to my patients.

Dr Deborah Beere,Lead Consultant, 
Contraception and Reproductive Health
Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust

©2001 Sexual Health Matters. Published Quarterly by Express Print Works, Middlesbrough, UK
ISSN 1469-7556
http://www.sexualhealthmatters.com