Four things you can do if erectile dysfunction is affecting your relationship
Is erectile dysfunction affecting your relationship? If so, here are four things you can and your partner can do to help treat it together.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a devastating reality for men. And, because performance in bed is regarded as a symbol of masculinity, they tend to shy away from talking about their sexual issues with their partner.
This lack of communication, rather than sex is what can destroy even the strongest of relationships.
Fortunately, ED is not uncommon. It is reported that 52% of men have ED at some point in their lives, and it becomes more prevalent as they age. However, this affects men in their 30s too.
Treatment is widespread. From instantaneous vacuum constriction devices, to Cialis pills where effects can last up to 36 hours, you shouldn’t be too concerned when you’ve figured out what’s wrong.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how ED can affect relationships and what you should do if you suspect your partner is going through performance issues so that you can look for treatment together.
1) Open up about the issue
Having a partner that’s reclusive about his ED can be heartbreaking for a woman. They start questioning whether they are still attractive enough for their man, lose their self-esteem, and then comes the dangerous part; they assume the partner is cheating.
Keep this in mind: You are not at fault!
Because of the social stigma, most men can’t begin to admit they have ED. Instead of berating him with questions about why he doesn’t want to get in bed with you, tell him how you feel about it and let him know you’re there to listen. The last thing you want is to make him more guilty than he already feels.
He might not open up right away, but eventually, he will be ready. This is the first step to rekindling your relationship!
2) Educate yourselves
It’s unlikely that he will jump onto the idea of seeing an expert. No worries, information is at your fingertips. Use this privilege to learn more about ED. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments together will strengthen your relationship even further.
ED on its own isn’t dangerous. However, it could be a symptom of an underlying health condition such as diabetes and/or heart conditions. When you have a basic understanding of the issues at hand, your partner may find the idea of seeing an expert less intimidating as he isn’t alone in dealing with this.
3) Change your ideas of sex
Now that both of you have formed a mutual understanding, it’s worth talking about changing your perception towards sex and intimacy. There are other ways for both of you to climax without penetration.
Other alternatives are manual stimulation, oral stimulation, and even kissing. What’s important is that you develop a feeling of closeness with your partner, rather than just penetration. This offers a great temporary solution while you’re working on achieving the next step, which is…
4) Seek help
As much as you want to rely on the internet for answers, it’s always best to seek help from an expert. Occasional erection issues may not be a big concern, but if this has been going on for two to three months then you’ll need to take action.
As mentioned, your partner may have underlying health issues that need to be sorted out and there is no way you can identify it without seeing a qualified physician.
Depending on the situation, the doctor might direct you to a sex therapist for counseling. This is especially true if your partner has a history of psychological trauma.
Photo by Velizar Ivanov
