Depending on age and lifestyle, some erection issues are not that uncommon in most men all over the world. Most men over 40 experience this problem from time to time and it gets a bit more common as you get older.

However, if it happens often, it can be a sign of erectile dysfunction or an underlying health condition (such as diabetes) and you should see a GP or go to a sexual health clinic. In most cases, even if it is ED, it is only a phase, and the problem should go away with proper treatment and some lifestyle changes.

The main causes for ED are mild (like stress, overworking, alcohol abuse, smoking, anxiety, bad eating habits, problems sleeping, and more). However, there are situations when you can’t get or maintain an erection due to more serious health conditions.

In addition, ED is accompanied by a series of emotional problems that take a serious toll on the couple. Not to mention that, according to studies, about 13% of men who experience erectile problems declared they would rather give up on sexual activities than seek help. Even more worrisome, about 19% of the questionees would try to solve the issue without medical help, which leaves them exposed to all sorts of “miraculous cures” available online.

Considering these aspects and the fact that ED is starting to affect men over 30 as well, we decided to shed a bit of light on the subject and discuss treatments and how to deal with this problem in a healthy manner.

Common Methods Of Treatment

We already mentioned this before, ED is easily treatable unless it is triggered by a serious health condition or has other aggravating factors. Furthermore, the treatments available right now are diverse and easily accessible for almost anyone.

Medication

There is a long list of medication for erectile dysfunction and most of the products are available online. This means you don’t have to go to the pharmacy, asking for ED pills (which some men find embarrassing).

Most pills you can find online or over-the-counter contain sildenafil (also known as Viagra), tadalafil, or vardenafil. If these are not available or effective, there are some other types of medication, developed recently, using new-generation technologies and elements. However, the new-generation medication may not be FDA-approved.

Quick note: In the UK, you don’t need a prescription for pills containing sildenafil, but you will have to get a consultation with a pharmacist before you can buy it.

However, before you order a stock of Viagra (the most common medication known in this niche), you must talk to your GP and ask if medication is a good fit to you. These pills are vasodilators and have the role of increasing blood flow, thus helping users to properly maintain an erection.

It’s important to specify that their purpose is not to cause an erection but to help increase blood flow towards the genital area. Also, users may experience some mild side effects, so it’s best to read the instructions sheet before taking any medication.

Other Types of Treatment

If medication is not a viable option, there are other types of treatments you can try. For instance, vacuum pumps are quite successful, but so is testosterone replacement therapy. In addition, there are external penile prothesis you can try.

Lifestyle Changes

More often than not, the underlying cause for problems in the bedroom are in the way we live. As such, stress, anxiety, depression, a lack of sleep, and other similar factors can contribute to a low libido and ED.

The good news is that you can turn things around by making a few lifestyle changes, such as:

  • Include physical exercise in your daily routine
  • Aim for a healthyer diet, with vitamin-rich and nutritious foods
  • Lose weight (if you are overweight)
  • Quit smoking
  • Avoid consuming alcohol in large quantities
  • Adopt a meditation regime (to reduce stress and anxiety)

Overall, as you improve your lifestyle, you increase the chances to have a more enjoyable and fun sex life. It will also help boost your self-confidence, which can do wonders between the sheets!

How To Cope With ED As A Couple

Sadly, ED is a problem that also affects the couple, not just the individual. Usually, the partner having problems maintaining an erection will feel frustrated and anxious about his performance. As a result, they will retreat within themselves, while cutting off communication with their partner.

On the other side, the partner will feel rejected and hurt because their attempts to help their loved one are usually met by an unbreakable wall.

If the situation continues, the harmony and overall balance in the couple will break. This leads to fighting, negative feelings, and a whole lot of mess that could have been avoided by being open and honest.

Now, we already established that, in the majority of cases, ED is treatable. However, it can take time and a bit of investigation until you find the right treatment and lifestyle changes. So, to make sure you will still have a partner to share your bedroom with after the dark time passes, it is crucial to maintain open communication. Tell them about the situation and how it makes you feel.

You are allowed to feel scared, angry, or frustrated at the situation, and your partner should understand this. It’s also a good idea to go to counseling, as a couple who deals with ED. A professional counselor will know how to help you maintain harmony and good communication, which can only strengthen your bond.

It’s also a good idea to try other forms of intimacy and experiment with what you consider to be romantic love.

Wrap Up

The world is changing around us and we are slowly starting to understand that our worth is not connected to our gender. Each one of us has their own style and they are free to express themselves as they please (as long as they are not hurting anyone).

However, erectile dysfunction is still a diagnostic that sounds like an end-of-life sentence. Men are taught that their sexual performance is strongly related to their masculinity and self-esteem, which is why ED is both a physical and an emotional problem.

But, there is hope! As the science digs deeper into this problem, we get more effective medication, new techniques, and easier access to proper information.