My boyfriend has erectile dysfunction. What should I do?

Key Points:

1. You don’t have to have sex to have a fulfilling relationship. But sex is often linked to intimacy and relationship satisfaction.
2. An ED diagnosis can lead to a loss of intimacy and sexual frustration between partners. Partners may even blame themselves for the issue. But ED is not usually caused by a lack of attraction. Instead, various health conditions, mental health stressors and lifestyle factors contribute to ED risk.
3. Supporting your partner with open communication and a sense of play in the bedroom can help reduce performance anxiety and ED. Joining your partner to find a proper prescription ED medication can also help.

Sexual arousal is a complex process. It involves a series of specific chain reactions in the brain and body. That means even one interruption can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED).

Erectile dysfunction—or the inability to achieve or maintain an erection—doesn’t just affect the person with ED. It can be equally challenging for the other partner in the bed. Significant others may experience related feelings of sexual frustration—or even blame themselves for their partner’s ED diagnosis.

Here, we discuss how you can support a partner with ED. Plus, how Dr. B can help you get prescription erectile dysfunction pills online with a $15 consultation.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Various health conditions, mental health issues and lifestyle factors can all increase ED risk.

• Medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and heart disease can all affect blood vessels in ways that trigger ED.
• Prescription medications to treat health problems like anxiety, depression and high blood pressure may increase the likelihood of ED as a side effect.
• Mental health conditions like high or chronic stress, anxiety and depression can affect blood flow and confidence, impeding the brain-body connection vital to getting erect.
• Lifestyle factors like drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and using recreational drugs can damage nerves and blood vessels, increasing the risk of ED.

There’s also some evidence that COVID-19 infections may contribute to ED.

Is erectile dysfunction common?

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common forms of sexual dysfunction. Research estimates about the prevalence of ED vary. But one study suggests it affects as many as 30 million people with penises in the United States alone.

ED is more prevalent with age—but it can happen to anyone. One shocking study revealed that around 1 out of 4 new cases of ED occur in those under 40.

How erectile dysfunction affects relationships

Erectile dysfunction can strain a relationship so severely that it’s often referred to as a couple’s disease. Regular sex isn’t a crucial aspect of all relationships. However, studies have linked sex to higher intimacy and relationship satisfaction levels.

Some benefits of sex:

• Orgasms release oxytocin—often called the love hormone
• Sex may reduce stress and improve sleep quality
• Sex can be a form of light exercise
• It may reduce the risk of heart disease

Sex isn’t the only form of intimacy. Activities like holding hands, kissing and cuddling can create an emotional connection, too.

Partners looking to get pregnant may worry if ED affects fertility. ED may be a symptom of an existing low sperm count. But the condition isn’t thought to affect fertility or sperm count directly. Talk to a health provider if you are concerned about ED and pregnancy.

How to help a partner with ED

The support of a partner can be key to securing the best erectile dysfunction treatment for both of you.

When ED is caused by psychological factors, therapy or couples counseling may treat ED by reducing performance anxiety and fostering intimacy. This is especially true for temporary erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction prescription medications can help, too.

Here are other ways to support a partner with ED:

• Realize it’s not you. It’s easy to take it personally when a partner suffers from ED. But, the condition is a medical issue usually not caused by a lack of attraction.
• Foster open discussion. Communication is critical in any relationship. But it’s vital when dealing with sexual dysfunction. Explain your feelings or concerns about ED and encourage your partner to share theirs.
• Help your partner relax. Easier said than done! But try to find ways to help your partner reduce the pressure that often comes with ED. Assure them they’re not alone in the issue and that you’ll work toward a solution as a couple.
• Rekindle the spark. Try to relive when you first met and explored each other’s desires. Finding ways to be playful around sex—even without intercourse—can help you feel more connected.

In most cases, the right lifestyle remedies and medications will treat the cause of ED. But it’s important to remember that physical intimacy doesn’t depend on maintaining an erection. It is possible to have a satisfying sex life even if ED can’t be reversed.

How to get ED treatment online

A condition as complex as ED is best tackled with help from a licensed provider. They’ll help you understand the cause of your erectile dysfunction. They may also treat erectile dysfunction by helping you get ED meds online.

This is where Dr. B can help. With a discreet, convenient consultation, your partner can share their health history and symptoms. A licensed provider will review their treatment within three business hours. If they recommend an ED drug like Cialis or Viagra online, they’ll send the prescription to your partner’s chosen pharmacy.

Dr. B offers several prescription ED medications. So if you’re ready to get back on the road to a robust sex life, have them start a $15 online consultation today.

Sources:

Capogrosso, P., et al. (2013). One patient out of four with newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction is a young man—worrisome picture from the everyday clinical practice. The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Cera, N., et al. (2021). How relevant is the systemic oxytocin concentration for human sexual behavior? A systematic review. Sexual Medicine.

Frappier, J., et al. (2013). Energy expenditure during sexual activity in young healthy couples. Plos One.

Jacobs, N., et al. (2018). The associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.

Mayo Clinic. Low sperm count—symptoms and causes.

Nunes, K. P., et al. (2012). New insights into hypertension-associated erectile dysfunction. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension.

Kohn, T. P., et al. (2020). The effect of sleep on men’s health. Translational Andrology and Urology.

Sansone, A., et al. (2021). Addressing male sexual and reproductive health in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation.