According to Healthline, the majority of men will experience erectile dysfunction in their lifetime, about 50% by the time they reach their 50’s. If you’re thinking, “My husband/partner/boyfriend has erectile dysfunction, what should I do?”, how you support him will make a huge impact. ED has and will affect many men, but it can leave your partner feeling isolated, embarrassed, and worried about his health and performance.
As his “other half” and sexual partner, it is important to be knowledgeable and understanding of the situation at hand. Here are some helpful tips and options that will guide you in talking to your partner and figuring out what the next steps are.
Here are 7 tips if your partner has ED:
1. Research ED – Understand what it is and what causes it.
Before seeking erectile dysfunction treatment, there are mental and emotional hurdles to conquer, one of which is establishing an open dialogue between you and your partner. Before you can, it’s helpful to educate yourself.
The proper erectile function relies on a significant amount of blood to engorge the penis and give it the rigidity necessary for sex. When the erection is over, muscles will relax and allow blood to flow out. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for penetration. As this happens more frequently, men typically experience performance anxiety, which exacerbates the problem.
ED is typically caused by a lack of proper blood flow, which happens naturally as we age. It’s more prevalent in older men, so the likelihood is expected to increase as one ages. Erectile dysfunction is not only a physical problem; it can also extend to your social life and cause stress on the relationship. ED can also be caused or aggravated by other ailments like diabetes, obesity, substance abuse, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption.
2. Try Not To Take It Personally
If you’re unsure of what’s going on, you may feel as though he has fallen out of love with you or is no longer attracted to you. This is understandable, but insecurity can hinder an open and honest dialogue and run the conversation off the rails. Poor communication can increase his performance anxiety, which in turn can decrease his libido.
3. Have a Conversation with Him
So before diving into a conversation, keep an open mind and consider your partner’s feelings. Rest assured that however badly you feel about this turn of events, HE feels twice as bad, even if he hasn’t vocalized it. You may come to find that has wanted to talk to you about it, but felt awkward. Opening a conversation may be difficult, so always put it out there that you are willing to discuss what’s going on when he’s ready to share.
4. Destigmatize ED
As people get older, their bodies change. Because of this, your sex life is bound to evolve. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as many older couples report that the resultant communication about these changes has actually strengthened their bond and increased the satisfaction of their sex life. Developing ED, while not fun, is a natural (and likely) part of aging, and should be addressed just like any other physical or psychological change.
5. Adjust Your Sex Life
Consider alternatives for pleasing and satisfying one another so that the pressure to perform is eliminated. Sexual acts that minimize the use of the penis can prove to be satisfying. Plus, trying something new can be exciting and improve sexual health.
6. Maintain Emotional Intimacy
One of the best ways to cope (and help your partner cope) with ED is to understand that it happens, but can be treated! It’s normal for men to be occasionally unable to get or keep an erection. These occasional incidents are not an automatic sign of ED. However, when it happens frequently, it’s cause for concern and should be addressed by a medical professional.
With this knowledge, you can comfort him and focus on other aspects of the relationship. For example, having date nights, going on a trip you two have been planning or doing couples activities, while he deals with anxieties and treatment with ED. Doing such things can strengthen bonds and remind you of the value of the relationship while taking pressure off him to perform.
7. Discuss Treatment Options Together
The good news is that there’s hope for you and your partner’s sexual life. Some men could see improvements by limiting or quitting certain bad habits, such as:
- Alcohol use
- Smoking
- Drug use
- Poor diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
Other popular treatment options are pharmaceutical, such as pills or injections, but can carry significant adverse side effects. Another downside of pharmaceutical remedies is that they only treat the symptoms of ED and not the root cause.
Acoustic Wave Therapy
If you are looking for a non-invasive, pain-free, and pill-free treatment that DOES address the root cause, and not just symptoms, Acoustic Wave Therapy is a great option to consider. This therapy involves low-intensity energy waves to break up blockages, repair blood vessels, and stimulate the production of new blood flow to restore normal erectile function.
Flagstone Medical offers successful treatments for men with ED or Peyronie’s Disease. Using the best protocols and latest technology, better blood flow can be achieved to produce stronger erections, heightened sensitivity, more powerful orgasms; in short, a much-improved sex life! To find out more, visit Flagstone Medical online to schedule an appointment or call us at 1-877-930-WAVE today. Let us help get your love life back!
