“Is it you, or is it me?” is one of the most common questions you’ll hear from a man suffering from ED. In most cases, it is, in fact, true. According to Vantage Point Counseling Services, “A potential problem can be a lack of attraction, however, in my work with clients over the years, I have found that this is a lot less common than you might think.” Evidently, the cause of the problem has more to do with physiological or hormonal issues, rather than a partner’s level of attractiveness.
“It’s understandable to jump to this concern. Our culture tends to make it seem as though as long as a man is attracted to someone, erections naturally happen. So why wouldn’t we buy into the opposite? Erections are more complicated than attraction. Even if ED was related to an attraction issue, it’s very rare that this is the whole story.”
There is also the notion that overuse of porn or cheating could be a factor. Vantage Point Counseling continues, “Some men may have ED issues after repeatedly choosing porn over their partners, however, there are many situations when this isn’t the issue either. It’s essential to have open, honest discussions in your relationship to be able to discuss whether porn is a factor. It’s also important to have openness and honesty to identify whether there are desires or even interactions with someone else outside of your relationship. Trust is a foundation to any solid relationship. If you can’t have conversations that build trust, I recommend you get in with a sex therapist or a couples therapist to open this dialogue.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, physical causes of ED include:
- Heart disease
- Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Certain prescription medications such as: Cimetidine (Tagamet), Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Hydroxyzine (Vistaril), Meclizine (Antivert), Nizatidine (Axid), Promethazine (Phenergan), Ranitidine (Zantac)
- Tobacco use
- Peyronie's disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis
- Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
- Sleep disorders
- Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
- Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord
- Low testosterone
Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction include:
- Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
- Stress
- Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns
While a FirmTech Performance Ring can certainly help you maintain and strengthen an erection without the necessity for medication, the Tech Ring can alert you to some of the above conditions, in which case, you’re given a heads up and are better informed before you make an appointment for your annual checkup.
Overall, you should always consult a doctor for issues pertaining to physical or psychological concerns, it’s important to remember that some erectile failures are simply a part of life. But many medical problems can cause ED, especially as men get older. Taking pills before getting examined is not the right solution, given the risk of neglecting a disease.
