Erectile Dysfunction: The Female Perspective

Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. By definition, this health issue sounds like a man’s problem. However, that’s not necessarily the case.

This situation has an obvious impact on a man’s self-esteem, but it also can take a toll on women who have a sexual partner with ED.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Almost all men will experience some sort of erectile dysfunction at some point in their life. This does not just apply to older men; men of any age can have issues with ED. Erectile dysfunction can be a complex problem with physical and mental roots, such as:

• Severely constricted blood flow to the scrotum and testes, which inhibits the body’s ability to achieve an erection.
• Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease – just to name a few – are common culprits behind ED.
• Medications used to treat the aforementioned conditions, especially some drugs to reduce blood pressure, can interfere with a man’s ability to become erect.
• Mental causes such as stress, depression, or anxiety can also reduce the chances of having an erection.

Oftentimes, the cause for erectile dysfunction is not immediately obvious. This can lead to additional stress for the afflicted man and his partner.

What Women Tend to Think

Even though erectile dysfunction is caused by physical or mental complications within the man, women tend to internalize his inability to become erect as a negative reflection on themselves.

Most women will blame themselves, thinking that they are no longer sexy or desirable enough to arouse their man. Some women will think they did something wrong that has upset their man, or they may even become suspicious that he is having an affair.

Misunderstanding about erectile dysfunction and what causes it can easily lead to feelings of anger and hurt for both parties. Men may feel embarrassed, and women may feel inadequate or suspicious. Unless the root cause is found and open dialogue is maintained between both parties, the negative feelings planted by ED can grow.

Men should be open to talking about their impotence, and women should avoiding asking questions that sound like accusations. Men should not interpret the woman’s distress as an attack on him, and women should try to be supportive and encourage the man to seek the root cause of his ED so that it can be resolved.

Stay engaged with each other and do not withdraw. Withdrawing from each other sexually or emotionally can quickly put a strain on the relationship and effectively block channels of communication–which hurts the relationship in the long run.

What Can Be Done

Once the root cause of the erectile dysfunction is found, it is likely that it will be relatively easy to fix. Certain drugs are known to help men achieve an erection, but if the problem is deeper it is a good idea to visit a specialist.

Women should encourage their man to see a doctor and offer to go with him for moral support. The Denver ED treatment clinic is a good place for men with erectile dysfunction to start looking for answers to and solutions for their impotence.

Testing testosterone levels may be a step in the right direction. Many cases of ED are caused by low testosterone levels. Testosterone is a hormone that regulates male sexual characteristics. During puberty, testosterone encourages the growth of male anatomy as well as facial hair. Testosterone also regulates sexual health and function, including the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. Options such as those offered by the Denver testosterone replacement clinic can help a man regain his testosterone and return to normal sexual functioning.

Erectile dysfunction affects men and women in different ways. Problems with ED are not a death sentence for your sex life. With open communication and a willingness to diagnose the underlying problem, chances are your ED is entirely curable. Women should remember this and be supportive, not hurt, if their man experiences erectile dysfunction.