For many, a happy and successful sexual life is considered important to their quality of life physical and mental well-being. Apart from reproductive purposes, sex often catalyzes the improvement of intimacy and the development of an emotional bond between partners. Although nowadays, society has made good progress in facilitating open discussions around sexual health over recent years, a lot of people are still embarrassed or hesitant about sexual health issues and consequently do not seek medical help. One such problem that is often ignored and misunderstood is erectile dysfunction (ED) or erectile impotence.
ED is one of the most reported sexual health issues in men, and its prevalence in the population is considerable. However, the prevalence differs from one study to another, but there is a clear pattern: it increases with age. ED could be an indication of male infertility. So, to improve male infertility, it is important to address erection problems or impotence. One should consult a healthcare professional to find a permanent cure for impotence.
The psychological impact of erectile dysfunction on the individual
A single occurrence of ED can be a very distressing event. Emotional effects of ed dysfunction may often involve anxiety, fear, and stress. This feeling can be particularly intense in young men and is a profound feeling of being less than anyone else. This can deepen any insecurities and subsequently impact an individual’s romantic relationship. This is why it is said that there is a strong connection between mental health and erectile dysfunction. The psychosocial effects of ED can be dangerous; some even feel suicidal when the issue is severe and long-lasting.
The perceived inability to satisfy a partner is another major concern, with some feeling they are not able to fulfill the expectations of their partners would leave them insecure because of this problem. Unfortunately, this turns out to be the reality for many men. This can lead to men withdrawing intimacy at a time when the relationship is at its most vulnerable, which can leave the partner feeling unwanted and unloved.
A lot of men feel isolated in dealing with erection problems. It is a common perception that there is an embarrassment and a lack of support if disclosed to their friends. Many people are scared that a lot of people will joke about their sex lives as if nothing was a miss. At the same time, societal norms show that men are always supposed to want sex, and when a man doesn’t live up to that code, he is excluded from the men’s club, which often worsens the problem for the affected individual.
Once an episode of Erectile dysfunction has occurred, one of the main drivers of the perpetuating problem can be performance anxiety ( i.e., the erection needs to be firm, needs to get an erection fast enough, or needs to last long enough).
Psychotherapeutic treatment of ED
Erection disorder treatment involves psychosexual counseling or sex therapy that works on the aspects of the biopsychosocial model of erectile dysfunction that traditional medical treatment does not. Due to the severity and complexity of the psychosocial effects of erectile dysfunction, this is an effective option either on its own or in combination with other treatments.
Psychosocial therapy can be particularly effective at addressing erection issues of a psychological origin. The causes include mental health problems (anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia), performance anxiety, relationship or marital dissatisfaction, previous abuse of any form, sexual attitudes, and upbringing (excess usage of pornography). Mental health and ed are often correlated.
Psychosexual therapy involved in erectile dysfunction treatment involves revising the patient’s and their partner’s perspectives and expectations around sex and encourages them to change behaviors that maintain sexual issues gradually. Initially, the therapist typically takes a general assessment of the patient’s beliefs, ideas, and behaviors. The treatment aims to normalize ED by illustrating its prevalence. It encourages key pillars of a relationship (trust, communication, understanding, respect, and affection).
Pharmaceutical management of ED
Identifying and treating the underlying erection problem should always be considered. Simple lifestyle advice should be given to everyone. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercising, and reducing smoking and alcohol.
The first line of treatment is with PDE5 inhibitors, and appropriate counseling related to using PDE5 inhibitors has been done. It is a common myth that PDE5 inhibitors induce erection. However, sexual arousal and stimulation are required for erections. If the initial treatment fails, the underlying cause of ED should be investigated further, as the cause may be a psychological one.
The most well-known erectile dysfunction medicine of this class is sildenafil. While this class of medications has revolutionized the treatment of ED. Sildenafil is available in various brand names and strengths, including Kamagra tablets 100 mg, caverta 100 mg, assurans 15 mg, kamagra jelly 100 mg, etc. You can buy Kamagra online at the best price. Kamagra oral 100 mg jelly is all different from a typical oral ED medicine. Kamagra jelly 100 mg comes in jelly preparation, which is meant to be consumed without water; you must put it on your tongue and swallow it. It is worthwhile noting that 30 to 35% of men respond to initial treatment with PDE5 inhibitors. Most of these medications, including Kamagra 100 mg gold and Kamagra jelly oral 100 mg, are due to unrealistic expectations of their effectiveness and inadequate counseling and support. Public opinion has frequently hailed sildenafil as an immediate and all-encompassing option to treat erection problems, and it is no surprise that failure of treatment only enhances disappointment and feelings of worthlessness. In such cases, many men would believe that they would never have sex again. Another major reason often cited as the failure of sildenafil was that sex became medicalized and all dependent on the usage of sildenafil.
The second-line treatment consists of vacuum erection devices and self-administered penile injections with alprostadil to induce erections and increase male fertility. The third line of treatment is the penile prosthesis implantation. This is usually irreversible and a last resort treatment if all the treatment options have failed.
Conclusion
ED is one of the most common sexual conditions in men, and its effect on the individual and their relationship can be significant. When successful, PDE5 inhibitors can offer a tremendous enhancement for an individual’s confidence and sense of masculinity, but treatment failure will almost certainly have the opposite effect. Therefore, patients must always be counseled on the possibility of failure and be reassured that other effective strategies for treating erection issues exist. One such method is psychosexual therapy, which targets a couple’s interpretation of sex, exploring other strategies of intimacy, reinforcing the fundamentals of relationships, and gradually building up to a more normal sex life. More open discussions about sexual health issues, including erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in relationships and society, are needed to lessen the stigma that pervades erectile dysfunction.
