Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects men of all ages and ethnicities, but its prevalence increases with age.
It can affect both married couples and singles. While the causes are numerous and the cases are high, many people struggle to talk about erectile dysfunction.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for ED that often improve sexual function in other areas of your life.
The bad news? There’s no quick fix. You need to work together to overcome this challenge.
This guide explains not only information about erectile dysfunction, but also how we, as a society, can begin to talk about this serious problem.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to develop or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
In layman’s terms, it means you can’t get hard enough to have sex.
Men who experience ED may be able to achieve an erection when they masturbate alone, but they are unlikely to be able to maintain it.
This means that intercourse or standard erectile function is near impossible.
What Are The Symptoms Of Erectile Dysfunction?
You should see a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
- Weakness during ejaculation
- Painful ejaculation
- Frequent urination
- Sexual Performance anxiety
- Reduced sexual desire
Because these are the main symptoms of erectile dysfunction, you should check whether you suffer from any of them.
If you do, we advise that you make an appointment with a doctor. They will be able to diagnose the problem and suggest treatments.
What Are The Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction?
There are several different factors that can cause erectile dysfunction. Generally, it is caused by something physical, such as a health condition.
However, it can also be a result of a psychological condition, such as a mental health problem. These causes include:
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Low testosterone
- Lifestyle choices such as smoking
- Stress
- Alcohol abuse
- Medications
- Obesity
- High blood pressure or cholesterol
- Sleep disorders
- Hormone issues
It is important to think about what could be causing this dysfunction, as it can help your doctor choose the best medical or psychological treatment.
Can It Be Treated? If So, How?
Thankfully, this condition can be treated. Before, this, you will need to undergo an examination with a doctor or a sexual health specialist.
You will be asked several questions about your health and sex life.
Though this may seem invasive, the more information the doctor has on your sexual activity, the better they can identify the cause.
The doctor may also perform a physical examination to rule out some potential causes.
The medical treatment that the doctor provides will be based on the cause of the problem.
For example, if you have diabetes, then you might be prescribed medication to control your sugar levels.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications to treat high blood pressure.
If you are suffering from low testosterone, then your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy or testosterone.
Other common treatments for erectile dysfunction include vacuum pumps and Viagra.
If your issue is caused by psychological health, you will need a different course of treatment.
A psychologist or psychiatrist will be able to offer counseling and psychotherapy.
This will allow you to explore any underlying issues in your life that may be contributing to your problems. You can also explore couples counseling.
Why Is ED Serious?
Erectile dysfunction can affect your self-esteem and confidence. It can lead to feelings of embarrassment and shame.
Men should not feel these emotions, as it is a common problem that can be treated.
It can also prevent you from having healthy relationships. Sexual relationships are important for humans.
When men cannot achieve an erection, it can leave their partner feeling rejected and frustrated. Both members of this relationship will feel a lack of sexual release.
In turn, this can damage your intimate relationships.
This will also mean that men are unable to get their partners pregnant.
This can be a big problem in a sexual relationship if the participants are attempting to build a family.
How Can We Talk About Erectile Dysfunction As A Team?
Talking about this topic can be difficult. Many people do not want to discuss their sexuality with others.
They worry that others will judge them, especially when talking about their performance during sex. However, it is important to talk about this subject.
This is because it is possible to treat this condition, especially if it is a psychological problem.
Talking about your concerns with someone who understands how you feel can make all the difference.
When discussing this topic, it is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to approach this situation.
Instead, you should merely try to be as open-minded as possible.
If you find yourself struggling to discuss this topic, then seek help from your friends, family, and even your partner.
If your friend mentions that they have ED, try to be as supportive as possible. Never make this into a joke, as this can lower their self-esteem.
If you have a friend who does this, you may want to reconsider whether they are a true friend.
If you want to avoid relationship issues, it is essential that you be honest with your sexual partner.
This can help to overcome some of the frustration that you may begin to feel toward each other if you go for a period without sexual intercourse.
You should also keep in mind that your doctor will be able to give you advice on what to say and how to act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It So Hard To Talk About Erectile Dysfunction?
As a society, we tend to dismiss and repress sexual problems. We often think that our sexuality is something that only happens between us and our partners.
As a result, many people struggle to talk about their erectile dysfunction. This makes it hard to understand why this is happening.
Is Erectile Dysfunction Normal?
Yes, erectile dysfunction is fairly common. However, you should still get it treated. It is unlikely to go away, otherwise.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, erectile dysfunction is a common issue affecting millions of men around the world.
However, most men don’t discuss their problems because they feel embarrassed or ashamed. That’s why we want to change this situation.
We hope that by sharing our knowledge, we can help others understand the condition better and learn how to deal with it in a healthy manner.