What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
Erectile dysfunction, or sometimes known as impotence, is when the penis does not become fully erect to perform intercourse (sex), or sometimes the penis can get erect, but does not stay fully erect long enough to sustain intercourse. ED is a concern for many men and their spouses or partners. However, it does not mean that a man is not capable of pleasuring their partner, but it may cause complications with specific types of pleasure and/or getting pregnant due to not being able to keep an erection long enough to ejaculate during intercourse.
Is erectile dysfunction treatable?
The easy answer is, “Yes!” I hope that gives you some relief. However, when a person goes to a sex therapist or a medical doctor finding solutions are not always easy. To find out the reason for a person’s ED, a thorough evaluation (medically and mentally) should be considered. Treatment is not guaranteed to be effective, but in most cases, with a properly skilled sex therapist and/or medical doctor, ED can be treated.
What types of treatment are helpful for erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction can be treated based on the outcome of the evaluation. If the outcome of the evaluation shows that their is a biological factor to ED, then the medical doctor will have to determine the right course of action. Medication may be prescribed that would allow for a person to attain an erection if the person is not already on nitrates. Weight, blood pressure, diabetes and other medical concerns could be contributing to ED. Unfortunately, some biological reasons for ED do not have a known medical treatment at this time. Some men who have had prostate cancer, are not always able to attain full functioning, but there may be other medical options, such as a prosthesis that may be effective in continuing to pleasure your spouse.
Once the medical issue has been resolved, then a sex therapist should be consulted to help with relational complications as well as cognitive concerns. A sex therapist can help with building communication skills and exploring effective ways to increase intimacy during the love making process due to the nature of the sensitivity of the complications that might arise in the relationship and in actual act making love when medical concerns arise.
If ED appears to not have a biological basis, then consulting a sex therapist may be beneficial to help build knowledge about why ED may be a problem for you. A sex therapist can help you explore how to effectively work on your thoughts and emotions to treat psychological reasons that you may be experiencing ED, and to help improve communication and connection withing relationships. Some possible psychological reasons that ED occurs are relationship conflicts, anxiety, distraction, pornography usage, masturbation, and incorrect focus.
Medications are also options that can be helpful for both biological and psychological ED. However, medications only treat symptoms temporarily and do not solve the problem. Medications such as Viagra, Cialis and others that are more long acting, all can be prescribed by your doctor. It is important to consult a sex therapist if you want to work on the underlying cause of your ED. ED can be very frustrating and medications can provide temporary improvements, but long term results are more sustainable with therapy.
Should I be embarrassed if I have erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is just like any other mental health or medical diagnosis and it does not define who you are. You are still a man. Most men believe that since their penis is not working right, then they are lesser of a person. Please disregard that thought. Our culture talking tells us that men are lesser if they cannot get an erection, but that is far from the truth. The reality is that you can be just as good of a lover and give your partner what they need without an erection. For most couples, they only spend 1% or less of their week having sex. So there are many more important things in life. Yet, I know that having a functioning penis is ideal and seeing a professional, especially a sex therapist can be very helpful!
What do I do now?
Call me! 706-955-0230 Just talking to someone who is educated about ED is the most important step because you need to get help before it becomes a chronic issue. There are medications that may help in the short term while working with a medical doctor and working with a sex therapist in the long term would help solve the underlying issue.
