Talking to Your Partner About Erectile Dysfunction

As if having erectile dysfunction (ED) isn’t bad enough, now you’ve got to break the news to your partner.

Of course, if you’ve been avoiding sex, she may have already figured it out. But on the other hand, she may be worried that you’re cheating on her or don’t find her sexy anymore. Regardless, the only way to let her know is to tell her the truth. So, where do you start?

1. Do some research on erectile dysfunction. The more you know, the more you can alleviate your fears that this is a permanent problem, or your partner’s fears that it’s just an inevitable part of aging.

Part of that research should be dispelling the myths that you can “fix” ED yourself. If you feel your ED is caused by stress or performance anxiety, don’t assume that smoking pot or drinking a bunch of alcohol to “loosen you up” will do the trick. Drugs and alcohol can actually make erectile dysfunction worse.

Likewise, don’t run out to the nearest convenience store to load up on supplements that promise to get you rock hard. At best, they’ll do nothing; at worst, they’re dangerous and possibly lethal due to the unregulated or unlisted ingredients that find their way into these products. The only safe way to treat ED is with ED drugs that require a prescription, such Cialis.

2. Choose your time and place to tell your partner. A good time to talk about your erectile dysfunction is when neither of you is stressed, tired or hungry. Avoid discussing ED in the bedroom so you don’t associate the two. 

3. Focus on feelings. Be honest and talk about how the ED has made you feel. Reassure your partner that it’s not her fault, that you still find her attractive and that you’re not cheating on her. Talk about what you plan to do to treat your erectile dysfunction, such as visit a doctor to get a prescription for Cialis. Explain that most erectile dysfunction is treatable, whether by ED pill, penis pump or injections.