Erectile Dysfunction: What Everyone (Male or Female) Needs To Know

counselorbarb ♦ September 6, 2012

Erectile Dysfunction…it’s that sensitive subject that nobody really wants to discuss. It’s the elephant in the room. You know it’s there, but it makes you really uncomfortable and you figure if you ignore it, it will go away. Well, that’s why I’m here. I specialize in discussing topics nobody wants to talk about. My reward is seeing the change and relief in people when the issue is finally put on the table and dealt with. So, I’d like to continue that by taking these types of issues to my blog. In this post, I will talk about Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

I treat many couples in my office suffering from ED. Note that I stated couples and not individuals. That’s because ED is a couples problem. It occurs (generally) within the context of a relationship, and the reactions and feelings of the partner can have a direct effect. Not only that, but relationship issues themselves, including anger and lack of emotional intimacy, can affect men as well as women and actually cause ED!  In general, the woman feels rejected and unattractive; and the man feels inadequate and pressured to perform. All of these feelings, when not dealt with properly, can make ED worse. If left untreated, ED can end relationships. Ironically, it’s usually not the ED condition itself that ends the relationship. It’s the unresolved and mishandled negative emotions about the ED. That’s where sex therapy can be very beneficial.

Although the male sex drive is generally stronger and more focused than the female sex drive, men are still affected by emotional and environmental factors. Women often forget this. ED can also decrease sexual desire in males, mainly due to the negative emotions and recent memories of the last sexual experiences.

Education and information can go a long way to reducing the negative effects of ED. In fact, a lot of what I do in my office is educate couples. Sometimes, the information alone is sufficient to solve the problem. It’s amazing to me how many couples have perceptions based upon misinformation. Years and years of invalid perceptions.

So…here are some links to slideshows for  more information, including all of the various causes of ED:

1. Things that can deflate your erection
2. A virtual guide to ED

And, remember, you don’t have to face ED alone. Call your local sex therapist, TODAY. Don’t wait. As many of my sex therapy clients state, “Wow, this wasn’t nearly as painful as I thought!”