Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual problems experienced by men of all ages. We only need to look at how popular Viagra and other ED drugs are to know the scale of the problem.
All men will experience ED at some point in their lives.
ED is often a one-off or something that happens so occasionally that it doesn’t cause a great deal of upset. However, for some, it is more ongoing.
There are two types of ED, the one that has been caused by physical problems or the type that is more emotional and psychological. If you have ED, it is very important to find out which type you have. This can be done via an assessment with a sex therapist and also with your GP.
Having ED can also be an indicator that there is something else going on in your body that needs to be addressed, such as heart problems. It could also be that you are experiencing ED because you are taking certain medications. Discussing all of this with your GP is a must. Your GP will check your testosterone levels and may even send you to a urologist to check that blood flow to your penis is working properly.
If the ED is more psychological and has been brought on by stress or other life changes, anxiety, or lack of sexual confidence, sex therapy can be an effective way of handling it. Even if the cause of the ED is physical, sex therapy may still be of benefit as sometimes your confidence can take a bit of a knock or you may need to reconnect with your loved one. Experiencing ED can create a degree of shame and often people find themselves avoiding sex and intimacy. However, sex therapy is an excellent way of addressing the issues and offers long term solutions.
