Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue where a man struggles to achieve or maintain an erection. This condition can lead to significant distress, affecting not only the individual but also their relationships. It’s important to remember that help is available and it’s a more common issue than most realize.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man cannot get an erection or when it subsides too quickly. Many men experience this, and often, there are solutions available.
A man with erectile dysfunction has difficulty getting or keeping an erection. This condition is perceived as distressing by many men. They often feel like they are letting their partner down. The joy and spontaneity of lovemaking can diminish. Each unsuccessful attempt can lead to disappointment and fear of repeated failure.
Such problems can impact a man’s self-confidence and his relationship with his partner. Many men feel they are alone in dealing with this issue. However, this is not the case. More than fifty percent of men between the ages of forty and seventy regularly or always have problems getting or keeping an erection. Not all men seek help for this, often due to embarrassment and the taboo nature of the subject.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can have both physical and psychological causes. Sometimes, a combination of both can occur.
Physical Causes
- Cardiovascular disease: Men with known cardiovascular disease have a high risk of erectile dysfunction due to arteriosclerosis. This condition can cause the blood vessels supplying the penis to become blocked. Changes in the blood flow to the penis can reduce its rigidity. Erectile dysfunction can also be a precursor to cardiovascular problems. If you have symptoms in this area (including shortness of breath, chest pain, deteriorating condition), it is crucial to discuss this with your doctor as soon as possible.
- Diabetes mellitus (diabetes): Long-standing diabetes can negatively affect the nerves and blood vessels over time. This can reduce sensation in the penis, leading to erectile dysfunction.
- Alcohol, smoking, drugs, and medications: Stimulants can negatively influence the erection. Certain medications, such as beta blockers, antidepressants, and prostate reduction drugs, are known to affect erections adversely.
- Neurological causes: Conditions like multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury can cause erectile dysfunction.
- Surgery or radiation: Erectile dysfunction is more common after surgery or radiation for colon or prostate cancer.
- Abnormal anatomy: Abnormal anatomy of the penis, such as a narrowed foreskin or an unnatural curvature of the penis, can make intercourse painful and unpleasant.
- Hormonal abnormalities: Hormonal issues can also lead to a reduced sex drive. These abnormalities can be congenital or develop at an advanced age.
Psychological Causes
Erection problems often have a psychological cause. Worries, stress, or a busy life can significantly influence the erection or its maintenance. If it didn’t work out once, the next time all attention may be focused on the erection instead of the pleasure. This means there is insufficient arousal, so that the erection disappears quickly or does not start at all.
Men can thus end up in a negative spiral and develop a fear of failure. Emotional trauma, depression, and relationship problems can also be factors for erection problems.
Seeking Help
If you’re experiencing these issues, discuss your concerns with your doctor. If necessary, you can be referred to a urologist. Remember, help is available, and you’re not alone in this.
Urologist Examination
The urologist can determine the cause of your erectile dysfunction. The doctor will ask you specific questions during a consultation. This allows many physical causes to be identified or ruled out.
A physical examination can be performed to rule out abnormalities in the penis or testicles. Blood tests can also be conducted to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hormonal abnormalities. Furthermore, the prostate is often examined through a rectal examination and ultrasound.
Specialized Team
If the urologist suspects that psychological and/or sexological factors may also play a role in the erectile dysfunction, your case can be discussed in a monthly multidisciplinary consultation (MDO). This team consists of specifically trained professionals including a gynecologist-sexologist, a urologist with a specialization in sexology, a clinical psychologist-sexologist, and a pelvic physiotherapist with sexology qualifications.
The purpose of the multidisciplinary consultation is to ensure that the patient is referred to the right place for resolution of the problem. The progress in the treatment process is also discussed during the consultation and this process can be adjusted if necessary. All of these steps are about your doctor’s advise.
A specialist can refer you to:
- Clinical psychologist-sexologist: Patients with sexological complaints, which are related to medical factors, can be treated for psychological-sexological aspects. Sometimes a one-off appointment with the clinical psychologist-sexologist is chosen for a so-called ‘indication interview’, so that a specific referral can be made to another healthcare provider.
- Pelvic physiotherapist with sexology qualifications: If patients suspect that their complaints are caused or maintained by pelvic floor problems, they can consult to a doctor. The entry in the NVVS sexology register refers to the additional training that the pelvic physiotherapist has had and guarantees quality.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Several treatments are possible that your doctor will discuss with you what is suitable for you.
- Psychological or sexological help: This treatment focuses on the possible psychological and relational causes of erection problems and the way in which you and your partner deal with them. There are different forms: individual therapy, group therapy, and couples therapy. The latter form, in which the partner is closely involved in the treatment, is widely used.
During treatment, under the guidance of a sexologist, you can learn to break this vicious circle, so that sex becomes relaxed and enjoyable again. The conversations with the sexologist will discuss how you communicate with your partner. Therapy for couples also often has a good effect, possibly in combination with aids.
- Medication: Usually, treatment begins with potency pills such as Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. You must talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to use these medications. Please note that it’s important to purchase these medications from a reputable source, Telavivpharma .
Leave a reply