Erectile dysfunction (or impotence) is the inability to achieve an erection long enough to engage in sexual intercourse. 1 in 10 men suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) on a long-term basis.
There are still stigmas about ED despite it being so common. This prevents men who suffer from ED from seeking treatment. This stigma can also contribute to the false information regarding ED, along with the treatment options available. This is a safe space, dear men, and we got your back. Set the mood and get comfortable, here are the top 10 myths about ED, DEBUNKED!
Myth 1 – Erectile Dysfunction Only Affects Older Men
It is commonly believed that ED only affects elderly men. While ED is prevalent amongst the men in their 50s, it can also affect men of any age. This claim is supported by the findings of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, which discovered that:
- Men have a 52 per cent chance of facing erectile dysfunction
- By age 40, 40 per cent of men would have suffered some degree of ED
- By age 70, 70 per cent of men would have experienced at least one issue with achieving and maintaining an erection
The right word to describe the results of this study is probably yikes! There was also another study by Johns Hopkins. It mentioned that only a small group of men over 50s and 60s were completely incapable of achieving an erection. This means that ED is more likely to affect you as you get older. But chances of being permanently unable to achieve an erection is somewhat low. There are other risk factors that you do need to consider for ED as well. You will come to discover more about as you continue reading.
Myth 2 – Erectile Dysfunction is Solely The Consequence of Ageing
Since the myth of ED affecting elderly men has been debunked, does ED have a correlation with ageing? It is common to assume that ED is a natural part of ageing. The truth is that there are other risk factors which could increase your risk of being affected by this debilitating condition. These risk factors include:
Obesity
Excessive weight or obesity puts you at a higher risk of being affected by a variety of chronic conditions. This increases your risk of ED, which will be discussed more in Myth 3. Furthermore, obesity is also associated with poor blood circulation in long term, causing you to suffer impotence.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking can harm your body in a multitude of different ways, including your body’s ability to perform sexually. Like obesity, smoking can cause damage to your blood vessels, causing a negative impact on your blood circulation.
Medical Conditions and Diseases
Medical conditions or diseases can influence the risk factors that are typically associated with ED. Some examples include your blood pressure, blood circulation and hormone balance. Common diseases that have a direct impact on ED include type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Medical Treatments
The treatment of diseases, too, can put you at an increased risk of ED. These include radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer, as well as surgical procedures such as prostate surgery.
Alcohol or Drug Use
The use of drugs or alcohol can cause severe negative implications on your physical and mental health. Apart from dampening your mood, it can also cause decreased libido. A low libido makes it difficult for you to achieve or maintain an erection, or to achieve an orgasm.
Psychological Conditions
Research has discovered that psychological factors play a significant role in causing ED. For instance, anxiety, stress and depression can all be associated with an increased risk of ED. The specific term for ED caused by mental health is coined as psychological impotence.
Hormone Problems
Hormones play an important role in regulating numerous bodily functions, which include erections. The primary hormone responsible for helping you achieve an erection is testosterone. However, low amounts of testosterone may not only cause you to suffer ED but libido and fertility issues as well.
Myth 3 – You Should Only Be Worried About Sexual Performance in Case of Erectile Dysfunction
It may be a bit of a surprise, but sexual performance may not be the only thing you should be worried about. In fact, presence of ED may indicate underlying health problems, like diabetes. Since it is a problem with blood circulation in the penis, it is also possible you’re having (to a certain degree) blocked vessels in the heart.
Diabetes is a disease resulting in your body’s inability to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. If untreated, diabetes can result in extremely high blood sugar, which can damage the coronary arteries and affect blood circulation. Apart from these diseases, some of the other medical conditions that could also cause ED to include:
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension (also known as high blood pressure)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peyronie’s disease (formation of placque in penile shaft)
- Sleep disorders
- Prostate cancer, or an enlarged prostate
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Chronic stress
It may surprise you that majority of ED cases have to do with psychology. This means that you may not necessarily require medical treatment to overcome the condition. With that said, the most credible way to understand the condition better is for you to speak to a doctor.
Myth 4 – Prescription Drugs Are the Most Effective Way to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
It has always been advertised that prescription drugs are the most effective (if not, only) way to treat ED. In fact, there are a few alternative methods to treat ED, such as:
Suppositories
A suppository is a small, round cone inserted into your body. Vasodilators are a group of medicines that help improve blood flow. An example is to insert alprostadil urethral suppository into the tip of the penis. The urethral walls will then absorb the suppository, producing an erection within 10 minutes upon insertion.
Vacuum restriction devices
Vacuum restriction devices (VCD) use pressure to draw blood into the penis, resulting in an erection. The erection is maintained for about 30 minutes with a rubber ring placed around the penis. While about 50 to 80 per cent of male individuals who have used VCDs were satisfied, this rate is seen to decrease over time.
Penile implants
A penile implant uses small tubes to pump air into the penis to achieve an erection. This method requires surgery and is usually the last line of defence.
You should understand your treatment options by speaking to a doctor. It is important to understand the risk behind different treatments. And while prescription drugs could help achieve an erection, you may experience some side effects. Here are some common side effects:
- Back pain
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Vision disruption (rare)
- Facial flushing
- Nasal congestion
Before considering ED treatments, it is important to address any underlying health issues. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and obesity could be risk factors for ED. Addressing these health issues might help you to overcome ED without the use of oral drugs or other treatment options.
Read more to understand further about the prescription product Generic Sildenafil – IQNYDE 50 mg (generic version of Viagra). Sildenafil is the most commonly recognized treatment for ED globally.
Myth 5 – Erectile Dysfunction is a Problem For Men, and Men Only
It may not surprise you that ED causes psychological and emotional distress. So much so, that it can actually affect your partner in the same way that it affects you. Let’s be honest: If you are facing ED, it is normal to feel ashamed or embarrassed. This is especially when you are not able to perform as you used to, in the bedroom. However, keeping those emotions to yourself will not do you and your partner any good.
Bottling up the worry may also cause you to suffer anxiety, which could further exacerbate your sexual performance. Meanwhile, your partner, who has been left in the dark due to your silence on ED, may start to wonder if it is their fault. For example, if you are not as physically attracted to them, or if they have wronged you in any way. As difficult as it might be for you to open up to your partner about ED, it is still the right thing to do. This is for both you and your partner’s sexual well-being, as well as the health of your relationship. Trust on this one.
The debunking of these ED myths should be able to provide you with a thorough understanding of the condition by now. But if you are struggling with the psychological impact of ED on your mental health, or if it is affecting your life on a daily basis, then seek help from a doctor immediately. Together, both of you will be able to identify the actual cause and appropriate treatment options for your ED. Good luck!
Myth 6: Herbal remedies can be taken along with any ED medication
Taking herbal remedies without the supervision of a specialised doctor can result in severe consequences. If your erectile dysfunction is a result of an underlying condition, it needs to be treated first.
Taking herbal remedies while taking other medications for ED might cause adverse or life-threatening reactions.
If you are interested in consuming herbal remedies, the best thing to do is consult a certified physician immediately.
Myth 7: Erectile dysfunction is mainly psychological
Yes, it is agreed that certain psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression can cause erectile dysfunction, but this is not always the case.
In most cases, the root cause of ED will be an underlying physical problem or a combination of one or more issues.
Most commonly, ED occurs due to improper flow of flood into the penis. Along with this, several neurological and physiological problems co-create this problem.
Myth 8: ED is a single problem.
Erectile Dysfunction has unique reasons in every affected person. It could be hormonal issues, while for others, it could be due to problems in blood flow to the penis and so on.
The medical definition of ED is the inability to retain an erection during sexual intercourse. It covers a range of situations that cause problems in maintaining an erection during sex.
Even if you have an erection, if it is not firm enough and causes problems in your sex life, technically, it is classified as erectile dysfunction.
Myth 9: ED means that you have lost your feeling of love
The feeling of love is entirely psychological and has nothing to do with erectile dysfunction. A person could still feel the emotion of love and affection for their partner while facing erectile dysfunction.
Myth 10: Erectile dysfunction requires a specialist to treat.
Your general physician can diagnose ED, and it doesn’t always take a specialist to treat. Some people are pretty reluctant to open up in front of a specialist. In that case, discussing your problem with your family doctor could be the best thing to do. Family doctors are fully capable of doing the groundwork in determining the exact cause of your ED.
