What to Do if Your Partner Has Erectile Dysfunction
March 14, 2022
If your partner experiences erectile dysfunction, it doesn’t have to take a toll on your relationship. Although ED can be a tricky health condition to discuss, the best way to help your partner is by providing a caring safe space anytime they are having difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection. When erectile problems initially occur, it can come as a big surprise. Plus, it is often somewhat confusing for both parties. Even though you are a loving partner, you may not be prepared to talk about it and may feel overwhelmed with worry about what this means for your sex lives. Where it is not uncommon to blame ED on a lack of attraction or loss of sexual interest, don’t allow your insecurity to make the problem worse.
It is important your partner understands that it is not uncommon for a healthy male to experience erectile dysfunction from time to time. More importantly, avoid thinking that his inability to perform in the bedroom is caused by anything that you’ve done. Although the cause of ED can be emotionally or psychologically based, the vast majority of episodes are due to lifestyle or physiological issues, and often a medical condition, such as a build up of plaque in the penis, high cholesterol, or a change in medications. Since a majority of men over the age of 25 struggle with ED intermittently, having a partner who responds with loving support can help both of you turn the focus to identifying the best treatment strategies. That way, it shouldn’t be long before he is sweeping you off your feet.
Help Your Partner Help Himself
According to an article published by Harvard Medical School, open communication sets the stage for a quicker resolution and it is important for you to remind him, as well as yourself, that millions of men suffer with erectile dysfunction. Moreover, it does not indicate his interest in your shared sexual relationship is waning. Fortunately, ED is a very treatable condition once you can get him to agree to discuss the issue with an experienced doctor who specializes in men’s health. For a long time, erectile dysfunction was thought to be a process of natural aging, but healthcare professionals today say 1 in 4 men under the age of 40 seek treatment for ED. From his lifestyle choices to serious medical conditions, erectile dysfunction can be triggered by a number of factors.
Sometimes, ED can be directly traced to a specific health condition like the onset of heart disease or diabetes, but it can also be caused by medications that a man may be taking to treat a totally unrelated problem. This is why putting yourself in your partner’s shoes is the best first step to tackling ED as a couple. Since anxiety and depression can play a major role in maintaining the ability to have and keep an erection, it is not unusual for a man to experience ED following a sexual encounter in which he failed to perform at his normal level. Although starting the conversation about ED may seem disconcerting, discussing health issues outside your comfort zone is where finding the solution can begin. Keep in mind that lifestyle issues like heavy drinking, smoking, and recreational drug use can be a hidden contributor.
Diagnosing Hidden Causes of ED
Determining the correct diagnosis for erectile dysfunction starts with making an appointment with a doctor who is experienced in men’s sexual health. A qualified specialists can be of great value to you and your partner. The provider will likely start by asking a series of questions regarding the man’s health history, lifestyle issues, and any medications currently being used to treat other problems. He or she may also ask about recent physical, mental, and emotional stressors that could have affected sexual performance. Based on a man’s age and risk factors, the physical exam may focus on the genitals, blood tests, urine specimens, and the body’s circulatory system. The primary cause of ED in the United States is related to an inconsistent flow of blood to the penis.
Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, there is a broad range of effective treatments that can help to restore normal sexual function and improve the couple’s relationship. In fact, your sexual health doctor should share ways to maintain physical intimacy while the man undergoes treatment for erectile dysfunction. For example, touching, kissing, cuddling, and even holding hands can help the man feel supported and often helps the couple remain closer. Studies have shown that sexual activity without the need for penetration can lessen anxiety by reducing pressure on the male to perform. As the partner of someone suffering with ED, it is important to understand there is a difference between ED and a loss of interest. Low libido is a separate condition where a partner does not want sex, where a man with ED wants sex but for unknown reasons is unable to perform.
Jacksonville Shock Wave Therapy to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Unfortunately, sex is the primary way a man connects emotionally with their partner. To make matters worse, most of us were raised to believe that personal worth comes from what we do rather than who we are. Since sexuality is a very vulnerable area, men who invest too much personal stock in their ability to please their partner can immediately have feelings of shame. As a loving partner, redirecting his attention to being proactive with his health can reduce his tendency of becoming over anxious about a failed sexual performance. This is also an ideal time to let him know that you care and encourage him to see a doctor who specializes in men’s sexual performance issues. If you offer to join him, remember that some men may be more revealing in a private conversation with the doctor.
Seeking help for a sexual performance issue sounds uncomfortable for any man but it is the first step in finding the solution for restoring good physical and emotional health. If you and your partner define satisfaction by having penetrating sex with an erect penis, there are ED medications like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) that may do the trick. However, this can be an unnecessary expense and most men grow tried of always having to time the taking of a prescription medicine with when they need for it to work. In more than 40% of men, the little blue pill might not work at all or may suddenly stop working. More importantly, researchers have concluded that the number one organic cause of erectile dysfunction is poor blood flow to the penis and recent studies suggest low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy can significantly improve erectile function in patients with vasculogenic ED.
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Dr. Earl Eye has practiced medicine for 40 years in Jacksonville and is board certified in five medical specialties, including advanced training in Age-Management medicine. During his career, Dr. Eye became increasingly discontented with conventional medicine’s fix-it-when-it’s-broken, disease-focused approach. In 2004, he transitioned out of traditional medicine and into preventative medicine. His current practice focuses almost exclusively on male patients, offering comprehensive and individualized concierge health care to help men live a healthier, more vibrant life. If your partner is having problems with ED, let Dr. Eye help them identify what’s causing the problem and suggest the best solutions to restore their sex life safely and effectively.
