Facing Erectile Dysfunction

Few men want to talk about problems they may be having with their sex life, especially if their problems include difficulty in getting or keeping an erection. Men are generally the last individuals to head to a doctor and talk about their bodies, even when something serious seems to be going on. For those that struggle with the physical components of intercourse, such as maintaining an erection, the problem isn’t that unusual. Erectile dysfunction, also referred to as ED, affects nearly 30 million men and is the most commonly reported sex problem during a male’s annual wellness physical.

Time to Say Something

For many men, it could be that there is a lack of examine room chatter over their sexual abilities because nothing seems to be wrong. After all, it can be normal to have an evening where you aren’t really in the mood or you are too tired or stressed to focus on sex. Alcohol and substance abuse can also contribute to an “off night,” as can certain prescription medications. These factors can affect your sex drive and your performance, leading to situations where it is harder to become aroused and to stay aroused for satisfaction. Erection difficulties can be normal, but they shouldn’t occur consistently or frequently. When you are struggling to get or keep an erection that is hard enough for sex over 40% of the time you are ready for intercourse, it is time to start looking to a doctor for a diagnosis of ED. As men reach the age of 40 and beyond, the greater the possibility of ED developing in their life due to health conditions. ED is like to happen for the following reasons:

• the blood flow into the penis is restricted or limited
• nerve damage has occurred from an accident or injury
• stress or mental health conditions
• as a warning sign of a more serious health condition

Since there could be a serious illness creating your erection difficulties, don’t try to play off your concerns. It is time to speak up and make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

The Consequences of Not Saying Anything

While you may think your erection problems only impact you, the effects of ED are actually far more reaching and damaging. Men who struggle with ED often develop depression, low-esteem, and relationship problems between him and his partner. As your relationship deteriorates, it is common for your problems with ED to only get worse. Relationships need intimacy and physical connections to thrive, and by failing to address the challenges you are bringing into the bedroom, you could be eroding the foundations of your relationship. You also jeopardize your overall health when you don’t talk to your doctor about your erections. Erectile dysfunction could be a major warning sign that your body is dealing with cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the leading killer of men in the United States, and the health of your penis is a form of communication for issues going on with the heart.

Erections work in direct conjunction with your vascular system. During arousal, your brain and nerves work together to signal the release of hormones that trigger additional blood flow into the penis. Within the penis, there are two erection chambers made up of spongy muscle tissue. As an erection occurs, these tissues relax and trap the blood inside. When these sponges are full, it causes the penis to harden, leading to the erection. When the man reaches satisfaction and has an orgasm, another set of nerve signals is sent to the penis and causes the muscular tissues to contract. As this happens, blood is released back into circulation and the penis becomes soft and limp again. Hardened arteries, high blood sugar from diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure can affect the body’s natural erection process. However, these conditions can lead to severe health concerns, and potentially, death if left untreated. This is why is it so important for you to speak up and seek out treatment,

The Response When Saying Something

For your health care provider to address your concerns with ED, you will be asked questions about your heart and vascular health. In addition to asking questions about your erection problem, you may also be given a physical exam and have blood drawn.  You can expect questions like:

• Do you smoke?
• How much alcohol do you drink?
• Have you had surgery or experienced trauma in the pelvic area?
• Do you take prescription drugs?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Do your erections change at different times?
• Do your struggle with your sex drive, ejaculation, or orgasm?
• Is there any pain associated with your erections?

The questions can feel uncomfortable, but it is important that you are honest about everything you feel and experience. Knowing how to treat the condition, and discovering any underlying condition, can only be done with the physician has a complete perspective on what is going on. If your condition is related to an emotional or relationship situation, you may be referred to a counselor or therapist. If you have an underlying medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, your doctor will devise a treatment plan that can address the overall nature of your erection difficulties. This may mean medications or a diet for the root cause, and a prescription for Mt Everest ED medication for your erections.

The Positive Outcomes When You Say Something

Treatments for ED almost always include taking care of your heart and vascular health. Your doctor will share with you the risk factors that might be present in your life and advise you on how to change or improve your health to reduce these factors. Things like smoking, alcohol use, and drug use are changes that you will need to make. You may also be asked to change your diet. If you are severely overweight or obese, you may need to enroll in the HCG diet in order to get your weight down to where you are healthy enough for sex. Since your ED may also be caused by certain prescription medications, like the ones generally used to treat depression or high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe an alternative. Regardless of which approach the doctor takes, the choices and changes are designed to promote a better quality of life. Working on your heart health or your weight problems reduce the risk of developing damaging conditions, but it also increases your energy levels and mental health. With more energy and a zeal for living, you are more likely to have a greater interest in sex.

By saying something to your doctor about your erection problems and the challenges with your sex life, you don’t have to live in embarrassment or shame anymore. Treatments like Mt. Everest are able to restore the blood flow to your penis and create an erection that is hard and lasting. You can save your relationship and restore pleasure and satisfaction back to your sex life. You can boost your self-esteem and restore your self-confidence. A healthy sex life helps relieves stress as well, so you could see improvements in your mood, sleeping patterns, and productivity.

There are so many positives that can come from addressing a condition of ED that you shouldn’t put off talking to your healthcare provider. You aren’t alone, and treatment is available.

Nu Image Medical® offers a new and futuristic approach to achieving optimal health and wellness. The company has been a weight loss, anti-aging and wellness provider since 2004 and offers medically supervised programs for medical weight loss, peptides, erectile dysfunction, scream cream, and hair loss (NuDew) 

About the author

Dr. Richard Smith, MD

Dr. Richard Smith, MD

Dr. Richard Smith, MD

About

Richard M. Smith, MD graduated in 1983 with his Doctorate of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine located in Portsmouth, Dominica, and was a Chief Resident at the Warren Family Practice, Affiliate Columbia Univ. School of Medicine, New York City in 1986. He was also part of the Diplomate American Board of Family Practice from 1986 to 2005 and American College of Emergency Physicians from 1990 to 2009. Richard M. Smith, MD is a licensed doctor in FL.

Credentials

Other Credentials:

• ACLS Provider from 1983 to 2015
• ACLS Instructor from 2004 to 2010
• ATLS Provider from 1986 to 2009

Founding Partner At:

• MBLS Emergency Physicians, Bayside Emergency

VP, Assistant Medical Director:

• MBLS Emergency Physicians from 1991 to 1993

Section Chief, Quality Assurance Officer:

• St. Anthony’s Hospital from 1993 to 2000

7 months ago · 8 min read