Page 124 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

122 COMMON CONDITIONS: MEN’S PROBLEMS

Erectile dysfunction

Most men experience occasional difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection, often because of stress,
fatigue, drinking too much alcohol, or a recent illness. Temporary erectile dysfunction is unlikely to be a cause
for concern if you are still able to achieve an erection by masturbating or if you sometimes wake with an
erection. Long-term erectile dysfunction can be due to illnesses, such as diabetes and circulatory diseases, or
drugs, such as blood pressure medications and antidepressants. It may also be caused by anxiety or depression,
or relationship problems. As you get older, it may take longer to get an erection and it may be less firm.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
Reducing sexual anxiety Worrying
● You suffer regularly from erectile
about getting an erection can set up a cycle of
dysfunction or if you are taking a prescribed
“performance anxiety.” One of the best ways to
drug that may be causing the problem
reduce anxiety is to take things slowly.
● Take the pressure off. Take turns exploring your
partner’s body using stroking and massage. You
What you can do yourself should agree there will be no touching of genitals or
breasts at this stage. This will help you both relax.
There are several things you can do that may help ● After several of these sessions, allow genital and
you overcome temporary erectile dysfunction. breast stimulation, too, but refrain from intercourse.
● Continue relaxed and leisurely stroking and
● Don’t judge yourself harshly. If you are stressed
massage until you begin to get erections again and
or tired, for example, because of money concerns,
work, or recent illness, tackle the underlying problem. feel comfortable about proceeding to intercourse.
● If you are in a long-term relationship, talk to your Taking time
partner. Share your worries, and work together to Spend plenty of time
try to solve the problem. It may help if there is less touching and stroking
pressure on you to “perform,” so if erection problems your partner’s body.
are making you nervous about sexual intercourse, Take things slowly,
try ways of sharing intimacy that reduce sexual and learn to relax.
anxiety (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right).
● To help relieve anxiety, try practicing deep
breathing and muscle relaxation exercises
(see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES, pp.20–21).
● Reduce your alcohol intake; even better, avoid
it altogether. Drinking too much alcohol can cause
difficulty in achieving an erection; recreational
drugs can have a similar effect.
● Stop smoking, or at least cut down if you smoke
heavily. Young men who smoke double their risk
of long-term erectile dysfunction in later life.
Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● These measures are not helping, or you think
erectile dysfunction may have a physical cause