In the realm of sexual health, erectile dysfunction is a topic that is very stigmatized amongst men, despite affecting up to 52% of men at some point in their lives according to The Massachusetts Male Aging Study. The sexual disorder involves the inability to get or maintain a firm erection during sexual activity, with this condition even leading to several mental health problems that include stress, anxiety, and depression.
It is often seen as an embarrassing issue for men to address. However, there is no shame in this condition. Learning more about it, its causes, and how you can treat it with the assistance of a professional urologist can help break the stigma and ensure that men get the help they need to deal with this issue.
Debunking Misconceptions Around Erectile Dysfunction
There are many misconceptions about ED that have led to this disorder being stigmatized. One of these misconceptions is that ED is a disorder that only affects older men or ‘weak” men. However, in reality, ED affects men of all ages, becoming more common with increasing age. It also has multiple potential causes, which are both physical and psychological.
Physical or medical causes:
Low testosterone: Low testosterone levels can be due to problems with signaling from the brain or the reduced production of testosterone in the testicles.
Reduced blood flow to the penis: This reduced blood flow can be as a result of many conditions, but most commonly, it occurs from high cholesterol levels that can narrow blood vessels or high blood pressure damaging blood vessels.
Diabetes – persistent high blood sugar has the potential to cause damage to the small blood vessels and nerves in the penis.
Side effects of medication: Regularly using certain drugs such as opiates, blood pressure tablets, or antidepressants can lead to ED.
Lifestyle: Smoking, the use of recreational drugs, and alcohol can also be possible causes.
Psychological causes
Stress: This can be both conscious or subconscious and result from anxiety and depression from work or family.
Performance anxiety – The pressure to perform
Relationship issues: Having a lot of conflict with a partner can result in less affection and arousal.
Sexual uncertainty: This can stem from forcing certain sexual feelings rather than accepting the possibility of having a different sexual orientation.
Overuse of pornography: This can cause normal sexual encounters to feel understimulating.
Most of the stigma surrounding this condition stems from the unrealistic expectations of masculinity and sexual performance. Men often feel emasculated or inadequate due to their inability to perform sexually, which leads to shame, embarrassment, and self-doubt. These emotions can, in turn, also exacerbate their ED.
However, after understanding the potential causes behind ED and the prevalence of ED amongst men, we can help to break the stigma associated with it. This, in turn, can empower men to make informed decisions about their sexual health and seek appropriate help when needed.
Seeking Help for Erectile Dysfunction
Seeking ED treatment is important as consulting a healthcare professional such as a urologist can lead to an accurate diagnosis and personalized erectile dysfunction treatment plan.
However, it can be a challenge for men to address this, even after understanding that this disorder can be a normal occurrence for men. Therefore, the best course of action to tackle this issue is to practice how to address the problem.
Firstly, you should find the words that come naturally to you. Whether it is ‘How can I tell if I have ED?” or ‘I am having some problems in the bedroom,” just ensure that you rehearse this beforehand to comfortably say it out loud to your doctor.
It would help if you also wrote down your experiences and any questions you have, as in the heat of the moment, it is easy to forget what you have to say. Writing these things down can also help you stay on track if you ever feel nervous or uncomfortable.
Your doctor will likely also ask you some questions to fully understand your issues, so ensure that you try to be as open and honest as possible. After all, this is a treatable medical issue, and for you to have the best chance of a successful erectile dysfunction treatment, you should ensure your healthcare professional is aware of everything.
Supporting Those with Erectile Dysfunction
Breaking the stigma begins with creating an environment where you can be honest and open about sexual health. This is essential in promoting empathy, understanding, and education around ED, which can replace judgment and shame.
In addition, by promoting the education and awareness of ED, we can dispel myths and misconceptions that result in its stigmatization. Breaking the silence is therefore the first step towards breaking the stigma so that we can make a difference in the lives of those experiencing erectile dysfunction.
