Why Don’t Men Talk About Erectile Dysfunction?

Monday, July 21 2008

Reviewed by:  Daniel Williams, MD

Many people consider Erectile Dysfunction (ED) to be a condition where a man is unable to get an erection from a complete lack of sexual arousal.  These misconceptions have made ED discussions understandably rare.  Erectile Dysfunction is actually a broad term that describes the inability a man to achieve and maintain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse.  ED can be attributed to a long list of causes, and really has little to do with what makes a man, a man. 

Since this condition is an inherently private and sensitive issue, many men choose to live with it out of embarrassment, hoping for the best. Even worse, some blame themselves for an inadequacy when they actually have an unknown medical condition.

As we all know, most men avoid telling the people closest to them about events in their private lives. There are also those who prefer to keep sexual matters to themselves, and therefore do not divulge any information in regards to personal privacy. 

Those who suffer from Erectile Dysfunction often suffer in silence, but they are not alone. In 2004, a large international study of over 27,000 men found that between 16-22% currently had ED. Further, only 58% ever consulted their doctor and only 16% ever tried oral therapy. Suffice is to say that more education may shed some light, not only on the efficacy of oral therapy, but on breaking the silence that accompanies this problem.

Erectile Dysfunction Embarrassment

Sexual performance is often, albeit incorrectly, regarded as being analogous to a man's overall masculinity. What makes a man masculine usually focuses on their ability to be strong and successful and how it applies to their marriage or any other private relations.  Therefore, a man who experiences failure in one of the sexual stages may become too embarrassed to talk to their partner about ED just because of the fear of feeling ashamed or inadequate. By remaining silent and choosing to keep everything bottled-up, many men may be doing more harm than good in the end. In fact, Erectile Dysfunction may be the first symptom of a medical condition that affects a person’s overall health. 

Male impotence can be indicative of underlying health problems, as Erectile Dysfunction can result from clogged blood vessels, nerve damage from diabetes, and other health issues related to vascular disease and hypertension.  It can also be the result of a lifestyle that includes alcohol and drug abuse, and smoking cigarettes.  By discussing ED with your doctor, you may be able to alleviate your frustrations, and allow any health problems you may not be aware of to be handled appropriately.

Saving You The Embarrassment

Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are commonly prescribed by doctors to effectively treat erectile dysfunction. These medications can be purchased from online pharmacies such as Accessrx.com. Online pharmacies are popular alternatives from where a person buys their medicine because they are not only cost-effective, but are timesaving and more convenient than a trip to see a local physician. Ordering online also saves you from the embarrassment that may come with requesting an Erectile Dysfunction prescription at a neighborhood pharmacy.
 

About the Author:  Rich Bernstein is a professional health writer who specializes in Men's Health & Telemedicine.