Don't Let Erectile Dysfunction Ruin Your Sex Life

Erectile dysfunction is common, but it's not always a problem... A doctor can help you get to the bottom of it.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to difficulty either getting or maintaining a firm and lasting erection, enough for a satisfying sexual encounter. The most common cause is inadequate blood supply to the spongy tissues in the penis that provide rigidity. That’s a straightforward ‘plumbing problem’ that can usually be treated with medication. But there are other possible causes, too.

To get an accurate diagnosis, be prepared for some awkward questions. “You have to get into the fine details of the sexual act, and many men are uncomfortable discussing it,” says Dr Louis Liou, chief of urology at Harvardaffiliated Cambridge Health Alliance in Boston.

But there’s a payoff. “Sex is a very important part of living,” Dr Liou says. “Just because you are over 65 or 70 doesn’t mean you should be celibate. You should be able to celebrate your sexuality.”

Common sex blockers

Sex spans a wide spectrum of feelings and behaviours, but most men who end up seeing a doctor for it are there to talk about erections.

Many men immediately assume they just need a drug-assisted boost. That’s often true, but not always. Sometimes psychological factors contribute to ED. “You can’t just say let’s fix the plumbing,” Dr Liou says. “You need to figure out what’s really going on.”

One problem is low libido, or lack of sexual desire. Getting sexually aroused kicks off the chain of events that culminates in an erection. Arousal is required whether you are taking an ED drug or not. “The drugs don’t work without sexual stimulation,” Dr Liou explains.

Another psychological block that sabotages sex is performance anxiety. Men who’ve previously had trouble with erections can become so anxious about it before and during a sexual encounter that they repeat history once again.