Erectile dysfunction (often referred to as ED) is a common condition that many men experience at some point during their lifetime. Erectile Dysfunction is a form of sexual dysfunction and is defined as the ongoing inability to get or maintain an erection during sexual activity, whether it is alone or with a partner.
Failing to get an erection once in a while is common and shouldn’t cause concern. But if you’re finding it impossible to achieve an erection over a period of three months or longer, then you might be suffering from ED.
Erectile dysfunction is more prevalent than you might think. In the past, individuals may have been hesitant to come forward and discuss their ED-related concerns due to embarrassment caused by the perceived stigma of the condition. But these days, it’s incredibly easy to get a diagnosis and start treating your erectile dysfunction.
In this post, we’ll discuss five facts that you might not know about erectile dysfunction. We’ll also share how to treat ED so you can improve your bedroom performance and start enjoying your sex life again.
There are four levels of erectile dysfunction
Although the definition of erectile dysfunction is relatively straightforward, medical professionals have created a system of categorisation that grades the seriousness of the condition. Here’s the breakdown:
- Grade A: Men who never have trouble getting and maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse
- Grade B: Men who usually get and maintain an erection during sexual intercourse
- Grade C: Men who sometimes get and maintain an erection during sexual intercourse
- Grade D: Men who never get and maintain an erection during sexual intercourse
ED can be caused by physical health problems
When it comes to the reasons why you might be experiencing ED, there are a number of factors at play. Physical health issues are among the most common causes of erectile dysfunction and can include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
If you have one (or perhaps more) of these conditions and you’re experiencing the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, there’s a chance that the two could be connected. In these cases, you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns.
But what if you’re dealing with ED and don’t have any known physical health issues? If you’re in this position, it’s especially important that you visit a doctor to find out if you might have an underlying health condition causing your erectile dysfunction.
It can also stem from psychogenic factors
In addition to physical risk factors, erectile dysfunction can also be caused by a number of psychological problems, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Relationship problems
- Financial worries
- Other mental health conditions
For men who struggle with ED, the cause is often a combination of both psychogenic and physical problems. Unfortunately, erectile dysfunction (no matter what its cause) can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem or performance anxiety, which worsens the problem.
There are also situations in which certain medications used for treating mental health conditions may be negatively affecting your sex life. Specifically, antidepressants have been found to increase a man’s risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Counselling can help
Since erectile dysfunction frequently goes hand-in-hand with psychological distress, some men suffering from ED find that counselling helps improve their mental state and worry less about their condition. Therapists can help you identify the root of your troubles and provide you with the tools you need to get through periods of stress, anxiety and depression.
While counselling isn’t a substitute for prescription medication, it works in tandem with medical treatment. Also, the benefits of therapy go far beyond the bedroom and can help patients improve their overall quality of life.
You don’t need an in-person doctor’s visit for ED treatment
These days, life is incredibly busy and taking time out of your day to wait around a doctor’s office probably isn’t the most appealing idea. And even though the data shows that erectile dysfunction is a prevalent problem among men as they age, it can still be uncomfortable to discuss with your GP.
However, seeking treatment for your erectile dysfunction is important. Luckily, you can now talk to a doctor and receive a prescription to treat ED — all from the comfort of your home. Companies like Men’s Health Clinic allow you to have a confidential chat with medical professionals who are experts in sexual dysfunction and experienced in dealing with these specific health concerns.
Men’s Health Clinic is an online medical clinic specialising in men’s health issues, including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation (PE) and testosterone deficiency (TD). As an ED clinic, we aim to re-ignite our patients’ confidence by providing customised and managed solutions for the treatment of men’s sexual health.
To get started, you’ll simply fill out an online assessment to determine if you have an issue that we can help with. From there, you’ll set up a phone consultation or video chat with a member of our team of licensed doctors. During your confidential consultation, your doctor will ask you about the symptoms you’re currently experiencing, along with any relevant medical history and current health conditions.
Once your evaluation is complete, your doctor will draft a personalised and affordable treatment plan just for you, including recommendations for appropriate medications. Your prescriptions are then delivered discreetly to your door. As you progress through erectile dysfunction treatment, our team will perform monthly check-ins and adjust medication as necessary to make sure you see success. Our patient support team is available 24/7 to make sure you’re always taken care of.
To learn more about treating erectile dysfunction, get in touch with the team at Men’s Health Clinic today. Take our free online assessment to get started. We look forward to to getting you the best ED treatment and improving your bedroom performance.
