About 30 million men in the United States deal with erectile dysfunction (ED). However, when you’re struggling with it, it’s easy to feel alone and frustrated. Not only can ED affect your self-esteem and confidence, but it can even impact your relationship(s).
Obviously, physical intimacy isn’t the only part of a healthy relationship. However, it’s an important factor. You should be able to enjoy those experiences with your partner without either of you dealing with the effects of erectile dysfunction. Maybe you’ve even stopped having sex because of it.
If your ED is starting to affect your relationship, it’s time to take charge and do something about it. Thankfully, that might be easier than you think.
Let’s take a look at a few steps you can take to deal with erectile dysfunction in a relationship, and how both you and your partner(s) can experience fulfillment and satisfaction.
Talk About It With Your Partner
Erectile dysfunction can be an uncomfortable thing to talk about. You might be embarrassed or self-conscious. Maybe you even feel ashamed that it’s impacting your relationship.
However, discussing your struggles with your partner means you can tackle the issue together. You’re in a relationship with someone because you care deeply about each other. Don’t be afraid to open up to your partner and ask for their support as you navigate the struggles of your ED. You can create a plan together, and you’ll undoubtedly feel better knowing your partner is on your side and ready to walk with you on this journey.
Look at Treatment Options
Once you’ve opened up to your partner, consider looking at different treatment options together. The first thing you should do is determine whether a medical issue is the cause of your ED. Everything from heart disease to diabetes can be a culprit, so it’s essential to talk to your doctor about those possibilities. If you do have an underlying medical condition, your physician should be able to come up with an effective treatment plan.
Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. While a primary care physician may not be able to help with those things, a qualified mental health professional can.
A therapist can help you get to the root cause of your mental health issues—even if they stemmed from childhood. Getting to the bottom of those issues can help you let go of anxiety or depression and learn how to manage the symptoms.
Practice Healthy Habits
While lifestyle changes may not completely eradicate the effects of your ED, they can make a big difference when included in a treatment plan.
Taking care of yourself will boost your confidence. It will help with your mental and physical health, increasing the likelihood that your ED can (and will) stop being a problem.
You don’t have to change everything about your daily habits. However, prioritizing physical activity, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy meals are all great places to start.
Taking care of your mind and body will make it easier to manage physical health issues, and things like exercise and healthy eating are also known to boost mental health. Ask your partner to hold you accountable for those things, or see if they’ll join you in making healthy changes.
If you try to ignore the effects of ED, it will undoubtedly have a heavy, negative effect on your relationship. Talk to your partner about your struggles and commit to working things out together. If you believe your mental health is playing a role, feel free to Contact Us to set up an appointment.