11 Jan “She Thinks It’s Her”
“My wife is beautiful. She’s stunning. But when I can’t get (or maintain) an erection long enough to have sex, she thinks she’s the problem. And she’s not.”
Unfortunately, the truth is that erectile dysfunction doesn’t just affect the men who have it. While it’s difficult enough for the men who have to deal with it, it can also take a psychological toll on their partners.
But is there anything you can do about it? The answer is yes! Often, erectile dysfunction is actually a symptom of another condition. Today we’re talking about three of the most common conditions (all of which can be treated).
Cardiovascular Disease
According to Mayo Clinic, erectile dysfunction might actually be an early indicator of heart problems.
While health professionals used to think that the link between the two conditions was the inability of the heart to send an adequate amount of blood for an erection, they now believe it has more to do with something called endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is a condition where the inner lining of your blood vessels doesn’t function correctly. When this happens, your blood vessels don’t dilate properly, and your heart doesn’t receive the amount of blood that it needs. As a result, your heart can’t send the right amount of blood to other areas of your body. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the main causes of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease.
Diabetes
WebMD tells us that “about 35% to 75% of men with diabetes will experience at least some degree of erectile dysfunction during their lifetime.” Not only that, but men with diabetes tend to get erectile dysfunction earlier than other men—sometimes 10 to 15 years earlier. Plus, as you age, your likelihood of experiencing erectile dysfunction increases significantly. In short, diabetes and erectile dysfunction are linked.
The connection is complicated, but it’s there. For one thing, high blood sugar levels can lead to blood vessel damage and neuropathy (nerve damage). For another thing, men with diabetes often have other conditions that negatively affect one’s ability to get and maintain an erection, including high cholesterol or high blood pressure (where some medications might contribute to erectile dysfunction).
Low Testosterone
Like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, low testosterone could be the reason behind erectile dysfunction. Testosterone levels naturally begin declining around age 30. While low testosterone can inhibit your ability to get an erection, it can also decrease your sex drive. There are other symptoms that can help you determine if you have low testosterone, but the only way to know for sure is to get tested. If your levels are low, testosterone replacement therapy might be the answer you’re looking for.
Know that you can take control and stop letting erectile dysfunction affect your relationship and your life. Call LT Men’s Clinic today at (817) 416-5698 and schedule an appointment. We’ll help you figure out the underlying causes and then work with you to develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to you and your needs.
Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/basics/causes/con-20034244