What You Need to Know About Your Partner's Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a disease generally associated with aging, but that is not the actual case. It has been projected that globally 322 million men will experience ED by the year 2025. Erectile dysfunction can occur in any man irrespective of his age, and many medical conditions contribute to ED. These conditions can be physical or psychological in nature. 

Generally, 10-20% of cases reported are due to psychological factors, but most of these cases are often caused by an underlying physical cause. Some psychological causes of ED in men may stem from sexual abuse or childhood trauma. In this article, we will discuss the physical and psychological factors that can lead to ED.

Some physical medical conditions can give rise to erectile dysfunction. We’ve mentioned below the most common causes:

It is a common concept that if someone is struggling with ED, it is due to a physical cause. However, there are quite a few psychological disorders that can give rise to ED in men. Some of these disorders include:

Men who have a regular habit of watching pornography also struggle with ED. Pornography can develop unrealistic expectations related to sex which makes it difficult for men to attain or keep an erection under normal circumstances. 

Before jumping on to medications, it is important to identify the cause of your condition. In order to get to the cause, you need to get an appointment with your doctor. It can be quite embarrassing for you to talk about your ED, but complete information is crucial to get you the necessary treatment. 

To identify the cause of your ED, your healthcare professional will perform a set of tests followed by an interview. These may include:

Some doctors also make their patients fill a self-report form to gauge sexual function in different individuals. In the interview, be prepared to ask questions about your sexual desire, your ability to reach orgasm, whether you can achieve and keep an erection for long. Some others may include your satisfaction level from sex. 

After your laboratory results, your doctor will determine whether you need a psychological evaluation to further explore the cause of ED. 

The treatment procedure for psychological causes is a rather tricky and time-consuming process, but they are still treatable. There is no shortcut to treat psychological ED like simply taking Viagra. The best course of treatment, in this case, is addressing the root cause. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common option that doctors suggest not only for ED but for other psychological conditions. A therapist helps a patient identify unhealthy thoughts and actions and suggest ways to change them.  

To treat this condition, oral medications are prescribed, which enhance the effect of nitric oxide and relax the muscles in the penis. These include:

Although it is a frustrating condition, you are not the only one having this condition. With the support of your family and appropriate treatment, you can overcome this disease and live a healthy life.