How to have a healthy discussion about ED with your doctor?

1.  Introduction:

For men, erectile dysfunction can be an uncomfortable subject to talk about.. These emotions are normal and understandable, but you may be able to accept that a medical professional can help you cure this issue by first reminding yourself that it is a disease that can be curedt. ED does not have to be a persistent issue. 

Men with ED frequently experience emotional exhaustion, loneliness, and disappointment which makes it more important to discuss it with the right professional expert. 

For many guys, having sex is an essential part of what it means to be a man. Lack of healthy sex life can thus lead to a plethora of psychological and physiological problems.

1.2   Overview of ED: Basic Complications

A man with erectile dysfunction would frequently struggle to get or maintain a strong enough erection for intercourse. This may affect a person’s quality of life in addition to sexual activity. Some people find it difficult to keep their penis erect during a sexual intercourse. 

However, one must know that occassional trouble in getting an erection is normal. Erectile dysfunction is only a problem if you frequently find yourself unable to get hard in bed.

Facts that prevent men from addressing ED for conversation:

Fear fact about sexual function may be brought on by a variety of factors, including relationship troubles. This worry may result in physical symptoms like ED if it persists. To manage ED, people can attempt a few at-home methods. Discussing performance anxiety openly with any potential sexual partners may also assist in lessening the tension it causes. There are some factors associated with ED listed below.

2.1 Social anxiety and Depression:

There is no doubt that erectile dysfunction (ED) and depression are related. Although urologists and psychiatrists have long understood that depression drugs have a deleterious impact on erectile function, the interaction between the two disorders is still not fully understood. The existence of depression in individuals with ED is rarely formally assessed by urologists, and psychiatrists may be reluctant to ask patient-specific questions concerning their ED.

It is common to refer to the connection between anxiety and ED as a perpetual cycle. Erection anxiety or other sexual performance-related worries can become so distracting that a guy is unable to concentrate on the pleasures of intimacy at the time. It could be challenging to maintain an erection due to that distraction. Sexual issues could then make him feel less manly or unable to attract a partner. He can feel less confident in himself and worry about his romantic relationship. Even greater anxiety may result from these emotions. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, which are commonly used to treat anxiety, can also have sexual adverse effects.

2.2 Sexual performance anxiety:

Sexual performance anxiety refers to feelings of nervousness and sexual anxiety prior to and during sexual activity. When you’re feeling anxious, angry, or frustrated, your body may respond by releasing extra stress hormones such as cortisol, making it more difficult to relax and enjoy sexual activity. This can cause erectile dysfunction in many men, which makes the sexual activity more challenging and unsatisfying. When a terrible encounter leads to increased sexual anxiety and tension about sexual interaction, performance anxiety can occasionally get worse over time. It has numerous causes, is quite frequent, and affects men of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

3.  Fear facts that must be overcome for ED treatment:

Relationship issues brought on by ED may also be significantly more severe. Many guys are reluctant to tell their partners because they fear disappointing them. Additionally, they could worry that their companion will leave. 

There are some possible ways to overcome these fear facts: 

Pay attention to your content rather than your audience. People focus more on fresh information than on how it is presented. They might not realize that you are anxious. If the audience does detect your anxiety, they might support you and want your presentation to go well.

Seeking assistance. If your performance anxiety worsens or becomes more frequent, get assistance. You can find methods to deal with any unfavorable thoughts, fear, or stress as soon as you see your doctor. The earlier you do so, the sooner. Additionally, you can rule out other conditions that are impairing your performance.

4. Discussion with Doctor: Primary diagnosis of ED

It can be uncomfortable to discuss some issues with the doctor. The drawback to this is that ED is frequently something we can assist with, and the more you put it off, the more stressful it may get! So, it is crucial to come prepared if you need to get used to talking with your doctor about personal matters. Starting the conversation is frequently the most difficult part. It’s excellent to begin by addressing a more general query to ease the conversation. 

Being upfront and honest with your doctor can help him or her determine the basis of the condition and the best course of action. It is even more crucial that we speak with your doctor if you are exhibiting additional combination symptoms, such as eyesight loss, difficulty urinating, or irregular penile curvature.

A doctor would initially inquire about erection-related issues as well as current medical conditions and medications to order to diagnose erectile dysfunction. The doctor then requests a physical examination of the penis and testicles to gauge the nerves’ sensitivity. A doctor may also suggest blood tests to look for biomarkers for heart disease, diabetes, endocrine issues, or other health concerns to order to determine the underlying cause. 

Analyzing is also done via urine tests. Finally, the doctor could advise ultrasound imaging of the penis if the blood flow issue is the cause of the erection issue. This non-invasive treatment uses a transducer to produce a video image of the blood flow in the penile blood vessels. Fortunately, overcoming performance anxiety is simple. There are a variety of therapy alternatives that can assist you in overcoming performance anxiety and taking pleasure in a healthy sex life, including open discussion with your partner, guided imagery, relaxation techniques, and ED medication.

4.1 Report of problem:
Due to the partner’s lack of sexual interest under specific circumstances, men can experience erection problems. In addition, there are other health factors, such as diabetes, heart disease, hormonal imbalances, or a history of pelvic trauma.
Therefore, the most crucial step in coming up with a viable solution is to address the matter honestly with your partner and with a healthcare professional. The consequences of erectile dysfunction may continue to be:

• Having issues obtaining an erection
• Problems maintaining an erection
• Decreased sexual arousal

Compared to men without diabetes, men with diabetes are three times more likely to report having ED.  Even worse, majority of men avoid talking about the condition with their partner and doctor due to the stigma. As a result, the issue is never resolved.
The intricate process of male sexual arousal includes the brain, hormones, muscles, nerves, plus blood vessels. Therefore, any problems that affect the proper functioning of all the above-mentioned areas of the human body and brain can lead to issues such as erectile dysfunction.
5. Possible ways of treatment
Therapy is frequently used to treat psychological factors that contribute to ED. You can escape the stress, anxiety, and ED cycle with therapy. Those are:
Counseling: To manage your significant stress or anxiety, you will work with a therapist to pinpoint and address these sources. To uncover the underlying cause of your ED, psychodynamic treatment typically includes resolving a subconscious conflict.
Sex therapy: Instead of arousal and sexual activity, this therapy concentrates on exquisite pleasure. By fostering a more stable and consistent sex life, it seeks to lower the stress level.
Therapy for sexual anxiety: Your doctor will thoroughly explain ED to you. This can lessen issues and concerns brought on by ignorance. Your doctor will then address your emotional problems and assist you in finding a solution. Solutions can range from attempting to relax to reviving imagination.
Alternative therapies: Stress and anxiety may be reduced with alternative therapies. Current therapies include:

• relaxation strategies
• meditation
• yoga
• acupuncture

You can manage your stress and anxiety with the aid of these remedies. According to research, meditation can alter brain chemistry and lessen stress. But compared to conventional therapy and drugs for stress and anxiety, there is less research to support the efficacy of these alternative treatments. Nevertheless, they might offer further advantages in addition to the medical procedures your doctor orders.
6. Conclusion:

Typically, men are taught the value of strength and self-reliance. This can make asking for help particularly challenging. However, delaying treatment for treatable conditions like stress and ED makes men and their partners suffer longer.

Although initially discussing ED with your healthcare physician may feel awkward, it is crucial to do so. They can aid in treating your ED and offer advice on how to lessen the stress that comes with it. In addition, most men can maintain healthy and enjoyable sex lives as they age with treatment.