Partners of men with erectile dysfunction often needlessly worry that they are the cause of their man’s inability to get and keep an erection. Actually, it’s much more likely that ED’s cause is insufficient blood flow to the penis.
The topic of erectile dysfunction only made it into the mainstream of the American conversation at the end of the 20th century, when Viagra was introduced and internet access became widespread.
However, there’s still a lot of old mythology surrounding ED, despite research showing the condition to be primarily a physical problem involving the vascular system of the genitals. Furthermore, ED still packs a blow to the psyches of the men suffering from it, and their partners often can’t help but wonder if they themselves are partly to blame. But the truth is, sexual attraction and ED are not as intertwined as many people think.
Partners May Blame Themselves
Unfortunately, a man’s partner may think, “I must not be sexually attractive enough” when a man experiences ED, but the reasons often have to do with things not even remotely associated with a partner’s sexual attractiveness. That said, there are cases where psychological issues, including a lack of physical attraction, can influence whether an erection happens or is maintained, but these cases are rarer and often have to do with very complex relationship issues rather than simple physical attractiveness. And when men experience ED and deal with both the lack of an erection and a partner’s self-blame, they can suffer all the more.
ED Mostly Physiological in Origin
Vascular problems account for the vast majority of ED cases, particularly in older men. Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are leading causes of ED. In fact, with men under 40 who develop ED, physicians often order testing for these conditions because many of them can be improved or reversed with lifestyle changes and medical management. If you’re a man under 40 with ED, speaking to your doctor can not only help you address erection problems but can also help you get an early diagnosis on vascular conditions that you can address right away before they cause more serious health problems.
Other physical causes of ED include:
- kidney disease
- nerve damage
- use of certain medications (like antidepressants)
- neurological conditions
- hormonal imbalances
- clinical depression
- bladder or prostate surgery
- unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking and excessive drinking
ED’s Psychological Effects
But to say that ED is a straightforward physical problem that can be addressed with drugs like Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis can be an oversimplification. Experiencing ED can lead to immediate psychological discomfort, and if it isn’t addressed, it can cause performance anxiety (which can make the problem worse), and even social withdrawal. It’s in a man’s best interest to discuss ED with a physician early on, so that the problem can be treated before psychological effects compound the situation. For men whose ED is caused by psychological problems, help is available, and working with a doctor to develop a treatment plan can lead not only to more satisfying sex, but also to better psychological health.
Many men have experienced ED even in the presence of a strong sexual attraction to a partner. It isn’t a sign of failure of sexuality or will power but is most often a problem of blood circulation and can be treated with both short-term and long-term changes. Drugs in the PDE5 inhibitor class (like Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis) address blood flow issues, and longer term, better habits like quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and controlling blood glucose levels help improve circulation as well.
Communication Is Critical
It’s not easy to talk about ED, whether with a partner or medical professional. But honest communication is critical. Reassuring your partner is far better than shutting down or withdrawing, and speaking up with your physician is much smarter than insisting that “everything is fine” during your annual physical. It may not be easy to reassure your partner when you yourself may be reeling from failure to get an erection, but honesty can help prevent misunderstandings and is more likely to lead to support from your partner for addressing the physical causes of ED.
If you suspect your erection problems may be caused by vascular insufficiency and would like to see if an ED drug would help, you can often save time and money by ordering the medication from a trustworthy online facilitator such as eeDrugstore.com. If you have a prescription from your doctor, you can fax or scan and email it along with your order. Alternatively, eDrugstore can set up a complimentary online consultation with a licensed U.S. physician who can authorize a prescription if appropriate. To learn more, visit eDrugstore’s Erection Problems page.
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