INTERACTIVE: Scratching that seven-year itch with Dr G’s sex advice

PETALING JAYA: Tackling sensitive bedroom matters is no easy task, but urologist Dr George Lee has been dedicated to openly addressing questions by readers on a wide range of issues surrounding intimacy and men’s reproductive health in his weekly column, Putting Dr G On The Spot.

Often seen as a "sex doctor" since he started his column for TheStar.com.my seven years ago, in 2013, Dr Lee who is better known among his readers as Dr G, has answered more than 130 questions on problems related to reproductive issues and prostate health, to sexual diseases and sexual performance.

Of all the questions he’s addressed, the biggest number has been on the subject of erectile dysfunction (ED).

"It is not really surprising ED is the most commonly asked topic by readers.

“In fact, the 2019 National Health and Morbidity survey revealed that two-thirds of men aged 60 and above have reported having ED.

"What is alarming is 37% of men aged 18 to 29 also admitted to having ED," he says.

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However, the discovery of Viagra 22 years ago means that men who have ED no longer need to suffer in silence.

Men are not the only ones who turn to "Dr G" for help.

Women unhappy with their partner’s performance make up about 10% of readers who reach out to Dr G for advice.

"Couples are also less embarrassed to ask about other sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation and low libido,” he says.

Dr Lee says a common myth many men have is that their sexual dysfunction is a temporary setback and that they will be able be able to return to their former glory in due course without having to seek expert help.

"Most men will come up with excuses for their setbacks including tiredness or being too busy with work commitments," he says.

He warns that denial or self-prescribed remedies can potentially delay recovery from ED, which requires proper medical treatment.

The Oxford university graduate says that he has noticed a shift in treatment-seeking behaviour among men, as more are now interested in issues of reproduction and male factor infertility.

"It is also very encouraging and heartwarming to see the increasing interest among men in shouldering the responsibility of contraception, and seeking more knowledge about vasectomy," he says.

Leading the pack of readers writing in are men in their 20s.

They make up 29% of those seeking help, and Dr Lee says this could be a the by-product of a conservative society where inexperienced youth lack a proper channel to ask about sex-related matters.

"When the topic becomes very specific, such as bent penis, painful ejaculation, scrotal swelling or others, it is not surprising that the Dr. G column becomes a platform for an outpouring of these very individualised problems," he says.

Observing that youths are more “daring” and “direct” in their line of questioning, Dr Lee says this may also reflect a generational gap in approaches to sexual health as older readers tend to beat around the bush or be more subtle in their questions.

He adds that his column has been getting more “adventurous” questions from readers over the past five years, due to better knowledge and more progressive dialogue on sexual health.

"These include topics of genital piercing, novelty condoms, sex toys, and penile enlargement.

"Some of these topics may offend some quarters of society, but they seem to be accepted by more people when addressed from a clinical viewpoint, ” he says.

However, some topics appear "stagnant", says Dr Lee, with regard to female sexual pleasure, bondage and LGBTQ issues.

This is because such topics are still considered sensitive in the country's conservative public setting, he adds.