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This study explores the sexual health problems and treatment-seeking behaviour of men in a Mumbai slum population. Men consider wet dreams, masturbation, early ejaculation, sexual weakness, and other semen-related issues as serious sexual health problems. Suppression of sexual desire was one of the major causes perceived by men for wet dreams, whereas masturbation was seen as the major cause for perceived early ejaculation and distortion in the shape of penis. Excessive loss of semen in any form, including through masturbation and frequent intercourse, was seen as causing most sexual health problems. These beliefs impact on subsequent behaviour, including treatment seeking. In this community-based study, about 45% of men reported to be currently suffering from one or more sexual health problems. One in every four who reported experiencing any problem sought treatment, mostly from the private sector that included a large number of unqualified and untrained providers. The present analysis stresses the impor...

Conducted in a Mumbai slum population, this study examines the vocabulary men use to describe sexual health problems, cultural views about categorization, and the views of local health practitioners. Structured qualitative methods including free-listing, pile sorting and ratings were used. In addition to sexually transmitted infections, men are equally or more concerned about the quality and quantity of semen and 'impotence', which includes erectile deficiencies and premature ejaculation. A number of problems that may be indicative of the presence of STIs are thought to be transmitted through both sexual contact and other means subsumed under the category garmi. Men, as well as untrained non-allopathic sexual health practitioners, perceived the indiscreet wastage of semen through excessive masturbation, wet dreams or excessive sexual desire to be a major cause of these problems. A comprehensive reproductive health programme should address these male sexual health problems in order to motivate men to play ...