According to Doctor of Medicine, Specialist Level 2 Tra Anh Duy of Men's Health Center, mental abuse is often harder to identify than physical violence. It can manifest as repeated statements like "you can't do anything right," "what kind of man are you, so weak?", or prolonged comparisons, sarcasm, and emotional coldness.

What might seem like "normal" words spoken in anger can cause deep harm if repeated over time. Men gradually lose their sense of respect and no longer feel safe in their own homes.

Many men maintain normal work and social lives, but at home, they endure prolonged stress. Every word they speak is criticized, every action disparaged, and even intimate moments are met with sarcasm. Over time, they become quiet, suffer from insomnia, avoid communication, shy away from returning home, and experience reduced libido, difficulty maintaining erections, or avoidance of sexual intimacy.

These symptoms are often misconstrued as "sexual weakness" when, in reality, they are consequences of prolonged psychological damage.

A government report submitted to the National Assembly on the progress of national gender equality goals for 2025 indicates a decrease in overall domestic violence cases, but an increase in male victims. This finding challenges a long-standing prejudice that men are inherently stronger and more resilient, making them less likely to be perceived as victims.

In fact, many men are not subjected to physical assault or conflict, yet they endure daily criticism and belittlement from their partners. These hidden harms silently erode their self-esteem, leading to psychological decline and ultimately affecting their physiological well-being.

Research indicates that men who are victims of mental abuse often face depression, stress, and low self-esteem. When an individual is constantly judged and devalued, they find it difficult to maintain a state of relaxation and confidence, which are crucial for a healthy sex life.

"In other words, when the mind is constantly in a defensive state, physiological functions also struggle to operate normally," Doctor Duy explained.

A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine reveals that men with depression have a significantly higher risk of erectile dysfunction, and conversely, those with erectile dysfunction are more prone to depression. In the context of mental abuse, this vicious cycle is easily formed: the more criticism received, the more self-conscious one becomes; the more self-conscious, the more likely sexual problems arise; and when issues occur, the feeling of failure intensifies.

This explains why some men initially have no apparent physiological problems, but after living for an extended period in an environment filled with insults and emotional pressure, their bodies begin to decline. In such cases, focusing solely on physiological symptoms while overlooking the psychological context often leads to ineffective treatment.

Many men seek medical help not because they feel "weak," but because they feel tired, withdrawn, and no longer wish to converse or be intimate with their partners. At this point, sex ceases to be a form of connection and instead becomes a source of pressure, even fear.

According to Doctor Duy, when men exhibit reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, or avoidance of intimacy in the context of prolonged insults and control, a comprehensive assessment is necessary. These issues should not be simplistically labeled as a lack of "manhood" or dismissed as a private family matter.

Treating only physiological symptoms while neglecting psychological factors often does not yield sustainable results. Sometimes, the initial intervention needed is not medication or hormones, but rather the underlying mental harm that is subtly deteriorating the body.

Le Phuong