This One's for the Significant Other

How to Help Your Man Deal with Erectile Dysfunction
  

        A bump in the road has been reached. It may be difficult to have a partner with erectile dysfunction. At times, it may feel personal, but it really is important to see the condition from the partner’s perspective. There are many causes of ED, including underlying, more serious health problems, medications, stress, depression and smoking. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that the cause of ED is not the partner, and the partner should not blame herself/himself. According to WebMD, feelings of self-blame, anxiety and anger are most commonly due to the lack of education about the causes of ED.

When it comes to dealing with ED in a relationship, it may seem like a lose-lose battle at first. The significant other may question the man, which causes the man to back off due to embarrassment. This progresses into the significant other backing off, as well, because she/he feels at fault. Eventually, this leads to poor communication and a potential rough patch in the relationship. On the other end of the battle, the significant other may go out of her/his way to try to help the situation. The significant other may try much harder, buy fancier lingerie or be more aggressive in the bedroom. Nevertheless, according to Sallie Foley, a professor at the University of Michigan, “Stroking him harder isn’t going to matter either because you have to remember, this isn’t a problem related to being turned on… the more and the harder you try, the worse it’s going to be for him—and for you—when it doesn’t happen.

It may seem like the relationship has set stage for disappointment forever. However, this is not the case. There are several ways the significant other can have a positive effect on the man’s ED concern. For one, communication outside the bedroom is important. It may seem tempting to bring up the occurrence right when it occurs or shortly after, but for the partner’s sake, it would be much better to wait a few days, or even weeks before discussing the occurrence. It is important to remain positive and hopeful when communicating, because it is very likely the partner is already uncomfortable and/or embarrassed. Additionally, it would be helpful to remind him that ED could be a warning sign of a more serious condition. By focusing the occurrence on the physical concern, rather than the sexual concern, it is more likely for the partner to not back away.

Furthermore, depending on the severity of the condition, sexual experimentation may be the solution. According to sex expert, psychiatrist and professor, Jennifer Downey, “there are lots of different ways to be sexual, and if one way becomes difficult or impossible, you have to explore, together, the things you can do with each other that are sexually exciting.”

Overall, just because a partner suffers from ED, does not mean it is the ends of all means. There are varieties of coping mechanisms and treatments available to ensure a positive, healthy relationship.

         
       References:

"A Partner's Guide to Erectile Dysfunction." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/features/a-womans-guide-to-ed#2>.

"Erectile Dysfunction: A Womans Point of View." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2017. <http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=43662&page=3>.

 "How to Help Your Man Deal with Erectile Dysfunction | Relationships." IDiva.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2017. <http://www.idiva.com/news-relationships/how-to-help-your-man-deal-with-erectile-dysfunction/21005>.

Sorgen, Carol. "Impotence Imposes on Relationships." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/features/impotence-imposes-on-relationships#3>.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Inside Scoop on Penile Pumps

Image
         The use of penile pumps may be an option if other medications cause side effects, don’t work or aren’t safe for the individual. Penis pumps are a viable option if that is the case. Studies show that 50-80% of men are satisfied with the results of this form of treatment.                 Penis pumps are attractive to some individuals for a variety of reasons. Besides being effective, penis pumps are also less risky than other treatments. Oral medications pose the risk of several side effects, whereas penis pumps have lower risks of side effects and complications. Furthermore, the overall cost of penis pumps as a treatment for ED is lower than other forms, because there are minimal costs after the initial purchase. Depending on the brand and type, most devices cost anywhere between $300 to $500. Penis pumps may also be attractive to some patients, because they are non-invasive and can be used with other medications, such as oral medications.                 Now that
Read more

Myths vs. Facts

Image
                       Most people have heard about erectile dysfunction. Some may experience it every now and then, while others experience it regularly, which leads to several dire consequences. When it comes to ED, there are several resources available on the Internet, whether credible or not. In desperate times trying to find a solution, it is very important to resist falling into a trap of one of the myths that surround this condition. Myths only prevent individuals from finding a suitable treatment method. Myth: ED just happens as one gets older, and people must learn to live with it. This is often one of the most common myths. Fact:  ED is more common among older men, but correlation does not mean causation. Often times, men need more stimulation as they age than when they were younger. Nevertheless, ED is not part of the normal aging process and consulting with a doctor is the first step in successful treatment. Myth: Although ED is disappointing, there are n
Read more

What is it?

Image
         Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. Although less commonly used by health care providers, ED is also known as impotence. There are three instances where ED is present in a man. The first is when a man can get an erection sometimes, but not every time. Other instances are when a man can get an erection, but it does not last long enough for sexual intercourse. Lastly, ED is present when a man is unable to get an erection at any time. About 30 million men in America are affected by this condition. In fact, about half of the cases of ED are only issues of concern from time to time. Occasional ED is often brought about by stress and is not uncommon. However, frequent ED may be an indication of other health problems that may need to be addressed. Furthermore, male sexual problems may be a result of premature ejaculation, delayed or absent ejaculation, lack of interest in sex, or emotional or relationship
Read more