Myth Busting: Erectile Dysfunction

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?  

Erectile Dysfunction, also commonly called ED, is the inability to get and maintain an erection firm enough for sex. ED can be caused by a number of physical conditions but can also be caused by psychological factors such as anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem issues, and performance anxiety. Some lifestyle factors can also lead to ED.  

Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction:  

• Trouble getting an erection that is hard enough for sexual intercourse. 

• Trouble maintaining an erection that lasts long enough for sex.  

• Being unable to get an erection at all.  

• Reduced sexual desire (libido). 

Causes of ED

• Lifestyle Factors

  • Excessive Alcohol Use

  • Tobacco Use

  • Substance Abuse

  • Lack of Physical Activity

  • Poor Diet

• Psychological Factors

  • Stress

  • Performance Anxiety

  • Depression and Anxiety

  • Low Self Esteem

  • Relationship Problems

  • Sexual Indifference

  • Pornography (Over) Use

• Diseases and Conditions

  • Heart disease

  • Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)

  • High cholesterol

  • High blood pressure

  • Diabetes

  • Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol

  • Parkinson's disease

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Certain prescription medications

  • Peyronie's disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis

  • Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse

  • Sleep disorders

  • Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate

  • Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord

  • Low testosterone

Common misconceptions about Erectile Dysfunction:  

• It only happens if you are 65+  

  • According to the NIH, about 8% of people with penises between the ages of 20 and 29 and 11% between the ages of 30 and 39 had some sort of erectile dysfunction. Some studies indicate that these numbers may be even higher.  

• If it happens to a young person, there is something ‘wrong’ with them. 

  • If you or your partner are experiencing erectile dysfunction, that does not necessarily mean that there is something nefarious going on. Frequent erectile dysfunction can indicate an underlying issue that may need to be treated, but infrequent dysfunction is totally normal for some people. If you are anxious about your ED or feel like it is happening more than it should, try talking to a health professional about it! 

• Erectile Dysfunction is always caused by something physical going on in your body. 

  • Many times, especially in young people, erectile dysfunction is caused by psychological factors like stress or performance anxiety or lifestyle factors like heavy alcohol use rather than physical factors like an underlying disease or condition. Getting treated for these factors through methods like therapy can be greatly beneficial and help to reduce the erectile dysfunction you might be experiencing.  

• Erectile Dysfunction is something to be ashamed of. 

  • Erectile dysfunction is not something to be ashamed of. A Massachusetts Male Aging Study found that about 52% of people with penises will experience ED at some point in their life.  

• It is something that is embarrassing to talk about with your partner or doctor. 

  • Medical providers talk about bodily functions all the time and are more concerned about your health than anything else, so it is not going to make your provider feel uncomfortable or awkward if you bring up your erectile dysfunction. The best approach is to just say “I think I may have erectile dysfunction” and your provider will take the conversation from there to gather the information they need! 

  • Talking to your current partner or a potential partner about erectile dysfunction can feel very daunting, but remember that talking about your ED is the same as talking about any other part of your health. Be open and honest, explain what is going on and why it may be happening (if you know), and what they can do to support you or help! A supportive partner will be happy to listen and understand what is going on.  

• There is no way to ever get or maintain an erection again. 

  • There are various medications, therapies, and self-care practices that can be used to help manage erectile dysfunction. If you want to learn more about these options, schedule an appointment with one of our providers today! 

• If you have Erectile Dysfunction, you will have a “bad” sex life or unsatisfied partner.  

  • Having erectile dysfunction does not mean that you will spend the rest of your life having ‘bad’ sex. Sex and its quality are determined by each person involved and their feelings about the experience. Remember that there are many ways to satisfy your partner(s) and not all of them involve penile penetration! You can explore these methods in a more in-depth way with your partner(s) and remember to be safe no matter what type of sex you’re having! 

Erectile dysfunction is a normal part of life for many people with penises, despite the social stigma surrounding it. Here at Bridgercare, we are more than happy to talk with you about any ED symptoms you may be having or talk to you about what treatment options might be right for you. Call 406-587-0681 or schedule an appointment online today!