It might be something you don’t talk about. We’re going to wager, conversations about erectile dysfunction usually come about only two ways: after the deed fails to be done or with a doctor.
So, let’s chat about it. There are no age requirements for this discussion. This is because we know it’s not just older men experiencing erectile dysfunction and it can have a serious and negative impact on relationships. The good thing is, it can also be treated.
Causes of erectile dysfunction
When males are unable to get or hold an erection, or if they are ejaculating prematurely, there could be some underlying causes.
“Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological issues causes erectile dysfunction,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
“For instance, a minor physical condition that slows your sexual response might cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting anxiety can lead to or worsen erectile dysfunction.”
It’s important to treat any physical issues before the stress sets in. House Call Doctor has written about the importance of a male health check and the physical conditions that could lead to erectile dysfunction.
“The brain plays a key role in triggering the series of physical events that cause an erection, starting with feelings of sexual excitement,” the Mayo Clinic reports.
A number of things can interfere with sexual feelings and cause or worsen erectile dysfunction, including:
- Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
- Stress
- Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns.
If that sounds familiar and you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor. Get some advice and get to the source of the issue.
Young men account for one in four erectile dysfunction sufferers
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found “one in four patients seeking first medical help for new onset ED was younger than 40 years.”
“Almost half of the young men suffered from severe ED, with comparable rates in older patients.”
Of course, some men are medicated for the condition. Enter the little blue pill we know as Viagra.
House Call Doctor can report we have seen cases of young men calling us to their homes to ask for prescriptions to the drug.
This is, of course, not what our service is designed for and not what it can be successfully used for. We are an after hours doctor service here for urgent matters. We encourage everyone to have an ongoing relationship with a personal GP. It is important to talk to them about concerns such as erectile dysfunction.
Remember, Viagra is just one option. It’s likely your doctor will ask you a range of questions. They need to try and understand your environment, stress levels, relationship health and other activities to get a bigger picture of what could be causing the erectile dysfunction.
