A bunch of awkward and downright intimidating questions arise when you try to have sex, and you can’t obtain an erection.
We have answers for you about erectile dysfunction, which is the most common sexual health problem that men struggle with.
First things first, however: we need to define what erectile dysfunction is, before we discuss how to confront it with your partner.
What symptoms are most commonly associated with ED?
Erectile Dysfunction or ED is a common problem many men face. It has been around for thousands and years, but awareness of the condition has increased in recent years.
Whereas in the past, it was suggested to chew on goats’ genitals to increase your testosterone, there are now simple oral tablets that can be ingested.
The most essential step towards diagnosing your ED is recognizing the symptoms and their meaning. Erectile Dysfunction can be characterized as having difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection.
The most common symptoms of having ED include getting softer erections, difficulty getting one in the first place, or not lasting long enough.
Erectile dysfunction also has a significant impact on your libido and desire to have a sexual encounter. This goes hand in hand with a feeling of anxiousness and depression.
Now that we’ve discussed what erectile dysfunction is, let’s now discuss how you should confront and address it with your partner.
Erectile dysfunction affects personal relationships
It is often your partner who will first notice changes. Oftentimes, your partner will notice that the strength of your erections.
Otherwise, she may notice that the erection quality and frequency aren’t what they used to be. Sex will start to feel different if your partner is experiencing ED. Your partner will notice subtle changes that you may not.
Erectile Dysfunction symptoms you may experience will depend on a range of factors, including health, age, and lifestyle.
As men age, their erections won’t be as intense and last as prolonged anyway. It is entirely normal to have reduced sex drive when there is a significant change in your life, especially if you have stress.
The inability to get an erection occasionally is not erectile dysfunction. ED is more noticeable and will often be noticed by your partner. If your partner has concluded you may have an issue, it is essential to visit a healthcare professional.
You need to be open with your doctor and clearly describe your symptoms and your lifestyle. Erectile dysfunction can, in some cases, be indicative of a more serious underlying health issue such as heart disease.
Some other conditions can cause ED, such as having higher blood pressure than normal or having diabetes. In this case, it is also vital to visit your doctor if you suspect that something is amiss with your fertility.
Plenty of treatment options
There are many oral treatment options available now for treating ED. In the cases where there is an underlying problem such as low hormone levels, treatment options included testosterone replacement therapy, taking men’s health supplements, or by merely implementing lifestyle changes. Or, a combination of the latter two.
Often when affected by a medical condition, it is easy to just think about yourself. It is also easy to forget the impact a condition may have on your partner. It is vital to maintain an open dialogue with your partner and include them.
Erectile Dysfunction affects the man but also his partner. ED is a common and treatable condition. Any male should have no reservations about talking to healthcare professionals or their partner as they will help through the treatment.
Erectile Dysfunction can be easy to generalize. It is described as a male having difficulty either obtaining or maintaining an engorged penis. Erectile Dysfunction can range from completely random to a more chronic condition.
Often a man’s sexual partner or girlfriend can notice changes in their partner before they do. It is vital that any male feels comfortable talking to their partner about their condition and any stresses they may be experiencing.
It is easy to forget just how common erectile dysfunction is amongst men. The man should remember that he is not alone; he should not be embarrassed about erectile dysfunction, and that there is a range of treatments for men available.
Erectile dysfunction is a common male sexual health problem
Many men believe that they are an outlier and on their own when they discover that they may have erectile dysfunction. The data shows that this just isn’t true.
When looking at a data set of 27,000 from a subset of 8 countries, it was established that 42 percent of males never try to seek professional advice. This needs to change as erectile dysfunction is a treatable condition.
The percentage of males afflicted with ED varies from age group to age group and increases with age. Men who find themselves in the age range of 20-29 see about 8% of men being affected, and this number rises to 11% in males between the ages of 30-39.
It is estimated that the true number is, in fact, much higher due to the reservation many men have in contacting a healthcare professional. Some studies have estimated that the percentage of men globally who experience ED could range from 3% up to 76.5%.
The impact of ED on intimate relationships
ED can significantly impact any relationship, be it a short-term fling or a longer committed romantic relationship. The Sexual Dysfunction Association sent out a range of questions to men who have been affected by ED.
The results stated that in 62% of males, erectile dysfunction resulted in them having overall lower self-esteem and view of themselves. 29% of males reported that it had an effect on their relationship, while in 21% of cases, it was reported that the relationship was terminated due to the man experiencing ED.
One of the key takeaways is the importance of self-esteem in any relationship. It has been proven that higher self-regard correlates with higher quality and more satisfying relationships ED can have a significant impact on the mental health of the man.
The majority of men found themselves to feel emasculated and slightly depressed, which goes hand in hand with a fall in self-esteem. The men admitted to being concerned about being abandoned by their partners and not meeting their partner’s expectations.
The mental health impact on the male itself is strong, but the impact on his partner should not be underestimated either. It’s certainly no laughing matter. Female partners will often question their own attractiveness or the commitment of their partner.
Many partners worry that their man is with some other woman and maybe cheating. However, this is not always the case as approximately 80% of ED cases are caused by blood flow problems or a hormone imbalance.
This turmoil for the female partner can result in an anxious feeling coupled with a depressed state. This results in females being less likely to proposition their partner and are overall less satisfied with their sexual relationship following the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction.
How to talk about erectile dysfunction with your partner
It is important to remember that your partner is there for you and is willing to support you. It can often be difficult to open dialogue on this subject. Often it is advisable to go to a healthcare professional who can start this conversation.
Health Care professionals often advise the partner of the patient to come to the initial consultation. The importance of facing this condition together cannot be downplayed or underestimated.
A study has reported that by including the partner in this initial consultation the patient’s condition or treatments is altered in approximately 58% of cases.
By involving a medical professional from the start of the conversation, it can help confirm that this is not the male’s fault and that he has underlying health causes.
There are some things to consider before starting this conversation. When this issue is brought up, it is advisable not to do it immediately after the problem has occurred or while in bed with your partner.
Begin the conversation in a relaxed environment, potentially over dinner or breakfast. It is important to be aware of your tone and voice when talking to your partner.
It is important to confirm to your partner that you care and love them and that you want to spend more intimate time with them.
It is important to do some thorough research on the topic before you open this conversation so that you can educate your partner on treatment possibilities.
Approach “the talk” cautiously, but honestly
It is common and likely that your partner may become agitated or defensive when this topic is broached. Some couples choose to avoid this conversation completely. However, in 1 out of 5 relationships, this leads to the end of the relationship.
If your partner becomes defensive, allow them to cool down and approach the topic at another time. It is important to work on your partner’s confidence and reaffirm your attraction and admiration for them.
If your partner chooses to completely deny having a condition, it is possible to show them written literature. The literate will describe the relationship between a couple where the male partner is experiencing ED.
If your partner sees the literature, he should accept that there is a need to see a health care professional. You can explain that ED is a widespread condition that millions upon millions of men all over the world experience.
ED will be as big a part of a relationship as your male partner decides it to be. Every relationship is different, and the way the topic is approached will wary. Many males accept their condition and immediately seek the advice of a health care professional. Other males might be very reluctant as their ED could be indicative of another cause.
Arousal is not the be-all and end-all of ED
A few important things to remember are that erectile dysfunction is not completely determined by the state of arousal of the male.
Erectile dysfunction can often be caused by underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure or other biological conditions such as coronary heart diseases. The mental health of the individual can also play an important role in the condition.
The more anxious or stressed the individual the worse the ED. Even being slightly dehydrated can bring on ED. It is crucial to bear in mind that ED can be treated. That is why it is advisable to see a health care professional as soon as possible.
There are a number of treatment options available from an oral supplement, prescription medication, surgery, or simple modifications to one’s lifestyles.
.The treatment option is dependent on your own condition if there is no underlying cause it is possible to have prescription tablets. These tablets are obtainable as generics meaning they are a cost-effective solution.
One of the most important things to consider in the whole process is to include your partner in every step of the process. Both partners are affected by the issue, and the partner’s help and support positively impact the treatment process.
Men were established to be more likely to continue to fight their ED if their female partner showed an interest.
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