Many men are reluctant to open up about the sensitive topic of erectile dysfunction with their partners or even doctors because they consider it embarrassing. In recent years the number of men with ED has been increasing, and it is projected the number will be higher in the coming years. Due to the desperation to treat the condition secretly, some men go as far as trying out some unregulated drugs to combat the condition, and the result is often harmful. Therefore, men should try and open up about their sexual situations with their doctors and partners. Below are some important facts about erectile dysfunction.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
ED is a condition where a man regularly finds it difficult to get or maintain an erection when engaging in sexual activities. It is normal to have some difficulty in maintaining erections sometimes, and many men go through this. But one should be concerned if getting or maintaining an erection has been impossible for some time on several occasions.
Why Men Find It Difficult to Talk about ED
Since no man wants to feel like he can’t satisfy his partner sexually, men often feel embarrassed to share such experiences with others, including healthcare providers. The myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic also contribute to why men stay quiet about the situation. Below are some of the facts about erectile dysfunction that can encourage men to talk about their condition and get help.
Any Man at Any Age Can Get ED
Even though erectile dysfunction is more common among older men, it can also affect younger men. This is because many factors can cause a man to struggle with the condition. Therefore, any man should see a doctor whenever they notice that they cannot get and maintain erections several times. It may be something psychological or an underlying health problem that is causing the condition.
With many men struggling with this condition, they should learn that it is not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about, and it
does not have to be a permanent condition.
ED Can Be as a Result of Underlying Health Complications
When one experiences frequent and persistent erection problems, it would greatly help to see a physician as it could be as a result of a serious medical condition. Most times, the medical conditions that cause ED affect the body’s blood flow. Some of these conditions include;
- Obesity and hormonal changes.
- Diabetes.
- Heart diseases like atherosclerosis, which result in hardening of the arteries and narrowing or clogging of blood vessels.
- High blood pressure.
If doctors discover all the above complications early enough, then treatments are usually very effective.
Psychological and Emotional Factors Can Cause ED
One’s mental state can affect many things in their life, which can go as far as affecting a man’s erections. Some of the most common psychological factors that cause ED are stress, severe anxiety, depression and even some situations where one feels guilt or even fear being intimate. Also, the pressure to perform well when being intimate with your partner can affect your mental state leading to anxiety. The anxiety, in turn, leads to one not being able to maintain an erection. At first, it may not happen frequently, but it may happen more often and add to the anxiety and stress if not treated.
Apart from medical conditions, there are other causes of erectile dysfunction, which are mostly tied to what we consume. It could be because the content of the items cause damages to vital parts of the body or causes the body to behave differently. These products include:
- Prescription and recreational drugs.
- Alcohol.
- Smoking.
ED is Treatable
The most effective ways of treating the condition include making lifestyle changes, therapy sessions and prescribed medications. Lifestyle changes like exercising, a weight loss diet, reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking can help you regain your erections, but you should start with visiting a doctor for tests. Doctors can recommend non-medical interventions or provide medications and sometimes surgery. You can also go for therapy sessions if emotional or psychological factors caused the condition. However, one should be careful and only use remedies and medications given by professional doctors. This is because some products on the internet claim to help, but their effectiveness is not proven, and they can even cause further harm.
Parting Words
Struggling with erectile dysfunction should not be a permanent problem for men and is also not something to be ashamed of. With the various treatments available, you can correct the situation and continue with your normal sexual activities.
