If you've ever uttered the phrase, “This has never happened to me before…” in the bedroom, there’s a chance you could be suffering from erectile dysfunction. Though it’s more common in men over 40, it can happen to any man who may have underlying psychological or physiological issues. Though it can be frustrating and feel hopeless, erectile dysfunction is not a death sentence for your sex life.
What is erectile dysfunction?
A man who suffers from erectile dysfunction (E.D.) can’t achieve or sustain an erection that’s suitable for sex. It can be caused by any number of things, such as poor blood flow, age, illness, fatigue, or certain medications, just to name a few. You could also experience E.D. if you have some sort of underlying psychological issue, such as anxiety or feelings of inadequacy.
Keep in mind that not being able to get hard every now and then doesn’t necessarily qualify as chronic erectile dysfunction. If you can achieve an erection most of the time, you’re probably in good shape. If you drink a lot of alcohol and then can’t maintain an erection long enough to have sex, you don’t need to schedule a doctor’s appointment. However, if you find that you often have trouble performing, or you can’t achieve an erection at all, then it could be time to worry.
Even though E.D. affects almost 18 million men in the U.S. alone, that doesn’t mean that consistent E.D. is really normal. Consult with a doctor if you’re under 40 and you frequently find yourself unable to perform because erectile dysfunction could be a symptom in itself of a larger physiological issue, such as diabetes or atherosclerosis. Additionally, consistent E.D. in any age group can and should be treated so you can enjoy a healthy, productive sex life.
What treatments are available?
There are numerous treatments you can take advantage of if you suffer from erectile dysfunction. Your doctor will want to try to determine the cause of your problem before he or she prescribes a treatment.
You could be prescribed one of several different kinds of medications, such as Viagra, Cyalis, or Levitra. These drugs help restore healthy blood flow to your penis by relaxing the muscles there.
A doctor may choose to recommend a penis pump. Placing the tube of the pump over your penis and using the pump to suck air out of the tube creates a vacuum that pulls blood into your penis, creating an erection. To maintain the erection, a tension ring is placed around the base of the penis to trap the blood so it stays firm.
If you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction, stay positive. Fretting will only make the situation worse. Viable treatment options for you are all effective in their own ways, so there should be no reason you can’t have a happy sex life once again.