Many GPs are reluctant to talk to their male patients about sex, a Dublin-based GP has said.

According to Dr Stephen Murphy, GPs can be reluctant to discuss this topic for a number of reasons including lack of time, embarrassment (both doctor and patient), a lack of knowledge about sexual dysfunction or a doctor's unwillingness to invade a patient's privacy.

"While these are all understandable sentiments, we may be missing an opportunity to make a real, valid and important intervention that could make a significant difference to a patient's wellbeing," Dr Murphy said.

He pointed out that when issues regarding sexual dysfunction, such as erectile problems or loss of libido, are brought up in a consultation, it is important for both the GP and the patient to consider ‘the early introduction of the partner into the therapeutic relationship'.

"It is surprising how often the male who has a dysfunction is under the delusion that his partner may not have noticed ‘his' problem. It is almost invariable, where a dysfunction exists, that the partner suffers at least some emotional distress as a result of the dysfunctional sexual relationship," Dr Murphy explained.

Furthermore, sometimes the male's problem may actually be brought up with the GP by their partner. In fact, simple enquiries by the male patient or his partner ‘may quickly reveal an obvious dysfunction', Dr Murphy said.

He noted that previous research suggests that male sexual dysfunction first emerges as a common problem for men when they reach their early 40s. Problems then tend to increase with age.

Dr Murphy made his comments in Forum, the Journal of the Irish College of General Practitioners.