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Communicating male sexual dysfunction: The medicalization and psychologization of sexual experiences in Chinese online medical consultations

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  • Liu, Xuekun
  • Luo, Zhengpeng

Abstract

Previous research shows that men who experience erectile or sexual dysfunction may feel uncomfortable discussing their sexual experiences in face-to-face clinical encounters. Part of the reason is the stigma and embarrassment associated with discussing private sexual matters. This study examines how e-patients, or more precisely advice-seekers, and doctors communicate about sexual dysfunction in online medical consultations (OMCs). We conducted a Theme-Oriented Discourse Analysis of relevant OMCs on CH Doctor, a Chinese medical consultation website, to understand how individuals with perceived sexual dysfunction articulate their conditions and how doctors on the platform respond and provide recommendations to these individuals. Our analysis reveals that OMCs afford advice-seekers a place to openly discuss their sexual health issues and gain empowerment from doctors who assist in mitigating the associated social stigma. Upon detailed discourse analysis, however, we find that individuals seeking advice often interpret their sexual experiences as symptoms of illness that requires medical intervention. In response, doctors tend to validate these advice-seekers’ preliminary self-diagnoses by treating their conditions as medical issues and characterizing them as psychosocial problems caused by stress and anxiety. Aligning with a critical sociological perspective that views sexual dysfunction as socially constructed problems referenced against dominant norms of sexual functioning, we argue that the medicalization and psychologization of certain sexual behaviors by doctors and advice-seekers discursively reinforce and legitimize essentialist views of hetero-coital sexual interaction. Such views reify penile-vaginal intercourse and ejaculation as the only standard, successful, and desirable form of sexual activity. This may further induce fear and anxiety among adult men whose sexual behaviors do not realistically align with these norms.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Xuekun & Luo, Zhengpeng, 2024. "Communicating male sexual dysfunction: The medicalization and psychologization of sexual experiences in Chinese online medical consultations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:350:y:2024:i:c:s027795362400371x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116927
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bell, Susan E. & Figert, Anne E., 2012. "Medicalization and pharmaceuticalization at the intersections: Looking backward, sideways and forward," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(5), pages 775-783.
    2. Wei, Shuang & Mao, Yansheng, 2023. "Small talk is a big deal: A discursive analysis of online off-topic doctor-patient interaction in Traditional Chinese Medicine," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    3. Gannon, Kenneth & Glover, Lesley & Abel, Paul, 2004. "Masculinity, infertility, stigma and media reports," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(6), pages 1169-1175, September.
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