What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Does your husband or partner have trouble performing in the bedroom? Is it difficult for him to get aroused or maintain a hard-on? If that’s the case, he might have erectile dysfunction.
Studies show that at least 1 out of 10 men might display symptoms of erectile dysfunction. What’s more, the chances of men succumbing to ED can increase with age. According to statistics, 40% of men aged above 40 display symptoms of ED, while the number is 70% for men above 70.
While erectile dysfunction isn’t lethal, it can cause issues in one’s sex life and create problems in a marriage or relationship.
Although the condition is prominent, it is in no way permanent and can be cured using various methods. Today, we will discuss everything you should know about erectile dysfunction, its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Read ahead to learn more.
What Is The Main Cause Of Erectile Dysfunction?
Getting an erection is a collective process that involves several physical and emotional factors.
It requires the brain to coordinate with the nervous system, blood vessels, and muscles to dispatch blood to the penis. If this coordination is hampered, the chances of a successful erection become unlikely.
ED can result from biological conditions, either internally or due to an external factor. For example, several prescribes medications might have side effects that hamper a person’s sexual drive.
On the other hand, it can also be caused due to a physical injury or a psychological factor. The exact cause can differ from person to person.
Physical Causes
Anything that prevents blood flow to the penis can be a driving factor for ED. Of course, old age can contribute to erection failures, which normally happen 20% of the time.
This is quite common in older males above the age of 40 who are going through minor health issues. However, major health problems can result in men not achieving an erection almost all the time. That’s when you know it’s erectile dysfunction.
Vascular diseases might block or narrow the blood flow to the penis, resulting in ED. Similarly, if a person has any neurological weaknesses, it might damage the nerves that send impulses to the penis.
This is somewhat common in patients who have diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or someone who just had a stroke.
Causes Due To Side Effects
ED can also result as a side effect of consuming certain substances or prescribed medications. People who use drugs such as opiates, cocaine, marijuana, etc., can also develop ED symptoms. Similarly, alcohol addiction is also one of the common causes.
Studies reveal that certain common medications can also create symptoms of ED. These include antidepressants, muscle relaxants, diuretics, chemo medications, drugs for prostate cancer, etc. We recommend you consult your doctor if you develop symptoms from any prescribed medications.
Psychological Causes
Most men typically get an erection during their sleep. This phenomenon is called Nocturnal penile tumescence or morning wood. Why morning wood? Because the erection is generally maintained even after waking up in the morning.
So how can a person have ED during intercourse but still develop an erection while he is asleep? That’s when we know that the root cause of Ed, in this scenario, is purely psychological.
ED can sometimes develop in younger males aged below 30, and often times the cause might be psychological. Unlike older men above their 40s, young males are usually in peak health. So, the chances of any internal health issues leading to symptoms of ED are unlikely.
Most young males who are not experienced with sex can develop anxiety and low self-esteem early on. It may be a contributing factor to erectile dysfunction. A person with anxiety may find it difficult to perform in the bedroom, even more so if he suffers from depression.
An initial rejection or failure to perform can cause a person to develop low self-esteem, which might manifest into ED. This is possible even when there are no internal issues with one’s health.
For example, if a young male attempts sex for the first time in a nervous state of mind, he might not be able to perform. Such an incident can damage one’s self-esteem, causing him to fear sexual dysfunction every time he attempts to have sex. And the cycle repeats over and over again.
Porn Addiction
Most young men often explore pornography in their teenage years, and some become quite addicted to it. This causes their brains to mistake the concept of real sex with pornography.
It makes them develop unrealistic expectations of real-world sexual encounters, which might lead to dissatisfaction or disappointment. ED is a common occurrence in such scenarios.
They might be able to get and maintain an erection while watching porn and masturbating. However, when it comes to real-world sex, these men often fail to perform. Why is that?
Well, that’s because actual sex is very different from how it is shown in porn. After all, porn is meant to be visually presentational, and that’s exactly what it does.
However, a person with a porn addiction getting into sex for the first time will be introduced to many unfamiliar factors that could ruin the moment.
For example, one such factor is the smell of sex, which can be quite overwhelming to first-timers.
The unfamiliarity of how sexual intercourse actually smells might trigger some discomfort. It could lead to the person losing his arousal, leading to performance issues.
How Do You Know It’s Erectile Dysfunction?
There is a difference between being unable to get it up in certain scenarios and full-fledged erectile dysfunction.
Sometimes, people just aren’t in the mood, are physically tired, or are not sexually stimulated enough. These scenarios are not indications of ED, which raises a question; how do we know it’s erectile dysfunction?
Well, if a person cannot get aroused more than 50% of the time, the cause is likely due to ED. One way to ascertain the likelihood of ED is by understanding whether the symptoms occur even when the person is alone.
For example, some people might be able to get aroused during masturbation but not during intercourse. Similarly, he might get aroused during his sleep but fail to do so during sex.
In such cases, the cause is typically psychological and can be fixed by taking care of the underlying cause.
While it can be considered a form of ED, it does not derive from any physical shortcomings. Therefore, we can fix it with the proper course of action without letting it manifest into a serious form of ED.
However, if someone can’t even get an erection during sleep, or during masturbation, watching porn, etc., he definitely has ED. This is likely due to a physical shortcoming stemming from internal diseases or external reasons such as an injury or substance abuse.
Tests For Erectile Dysfunction
Doctors may want to administer certain tests to determine whether or not a patient has erectile dysfunction. If you or your partner are displaying symptoms, we recommend consulting with your doctor on the matter.
Blood Tests
Doctors may want to take blood samples and test them for low testosterone levels or diseases. They might also want to run complete blood count tests (CBC) to check for signs of amenia.
Physical Exams
Sometimes, all it takes is a careful examination of the penis and testicles. This includes testing the nerves and determining whether the organ can complete bodily functions.
Urinalysis
Urine tests can shed more light on sugar, protein, and testosterone levels. Any inconsistencies in these levels might result in low testosterone count, kidney disease, or diabetes, all of which can contribute to ED.
What Age Does A Man Stop Getting A Hard On?
Men typically start having difficulties with sexual performance once they are over 40 years old. It does not happen all of a sudden but rather over several years.
The main reason is that older men produce less testosterone, a primary requirement for healthy erections.
What’s more, medications for anxiety, antidepressants, etc., can also hamper testosterone production. Similarly, eating too many unhealthy or high-sugar foods can also reduce testosterone production.
Another key factor for healthy erections is good blood flow. As men get older, their arteries become weaker and less elastic.
It makes the arteries unable to expand when filled with blood, resulting in lesser amounts of blood passing through the penis. The lack of oxygenated blood is likely to cause erectile problems.
How Can I Help My Husband With Erectile Dysfunction?
It’s good to start by reminding your partner and yourself that ED is a common condition and can be fixed with the right treatment.
Remember, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, so be very accepting, and don’t judge him for it. Understand that both of you are in this together, so make sure he knows he has your support.
ED, due to underlying physical conditions, will definitely require going to the doctor. So, make sure you support your partner and accompany him during his visits if he wants you to. Prevent him from drinking alcohol, smoking, or eating anything that might hamper his health.
Meanwhile, if your husband suffers from psychological ED, you might not even need a doctor. In this case, you should discuss the matter with him and ask him if you can do anything to improve things.
Make Him Comfortable In Bed
Some men develop ED due to low confidence, which can ultimately reduce sexual drive. Others might not get aroused due to missing or undesirable factors.
For example, he might prefer intercourse in a certain way, which would make him comfortable and stimulated enough to perform. Failing to meet those requirements during sex can lead to him becoming uninterested or unable to get aroused.
Help Him Get Aroused
Sometimes it’s just a matter of giving him the right kind of physical and mental stimulation. For example, he might need you to perform oral sex on him for him to get aroused.
Alternatively, he might want to take control and ask you to roleplay in a submissive position.
Doing so might boost his confidence and allow him to enjoy a strong and healthy erection. And if it doesn’t work, don’t get frustrated; that will only pressure him into feeling guilty or unworthy. Instead, be calm, accepting, and willing to help.
Express Your Love Outside The Bedroom
Intimacy doesn’t always have to be sexual; it can be platonic too. Show your partner that you still love and care about him and that nothing has changed.
The disappointment from ED can lead to patients doubting their overall worth. So be tender and affectionate, and show him that he is still the man you love.
Can A Marriage Survive Erectile Dysfunction?
Yes, it can, and countless marriages have done so. Erectile dysfunction is not the end of your marriage or relationship, so don’t give up. Instead, be patient, and do everything you can to help each other.
This might be a good time to revisit the past and relive the initial stages of your relationship. Try to feel what you felt during your first date and reinvoke that passion.
Reawakening your emotional desires for each other can often lead to mutual sexual arousal. On the other hand, you could also focus on foreplay and have fun fooling around and exploring each other’s bodies.
Can You Still Climax With Erectile Dysfunction?
Yes, it is still possible to climax despite having erectile dysfunction. Having an orgasm only requires the right stimulation and general skin sensation. A man can orgasm with a partial erection or even when he doesn’t have an erection at all.
What Is The Fastest Way To Cure ED?
In our opinion, the fastest way to cure ED is by using medication that can boost blood flow to the penis.
This includes Viagra, Stendra, Levitra, Cialis, or anything that performs a similar function. Viagra can be consumed 30 minutes or an hour before intercourse for the best results. Meanwhile, Cialis can be consumed even 36 hours before the act.
Pills like these offer powerful erections; however, they cannot be used as a permanent solution. Plus, making them a regular habit can lead to further complications. So make sure you or your partner only takes them once or twice a day, with regular gaps in between.
Penis pumps also offer a temporary cure from ED and involve using a cylinder to pump air to the penis, simulating blood flow. Alternatively, some people even use injections to help get and maintain erections.
Penile implant surgery can is the last resort for people with severely damaged blood flow. It involves installing a rod, or two rods, that can help the patient simulate an erection by either shaping it out by hand or using a pump.
