Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common situation that can make intercourse difficult. It may result in a loss of intimacy in a marriage or long-term relationship. It can also affect the mental health of both partners. It does not just affect men – erectile dysfunction can also have a great impact on a partner and their relationship as well. And these problems are more common than you may think. In this article, we will learn how ED can affect a relationship, how both partners can overcome this, and how to support someone with ED.

It is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sexual activity. Study shows that one of every 10 men will face this problem at some point during his lifetime. It is essential to note that in most cases an underlying problem is the cause of ED. You should not consider it normal at any age. It may associate with other problems that disturb sexual intercourse, such as lack of desire and difficulties with orgasm and ejaculation. Sometimes many men have experienced difficulty with their penis becoming hard. However, erectile dysfunction is only considered a problem if satisfactory sexual performance has been decreasing on a number of occasions for a longer time.

It is estimated that approximately one in 10 adult males will suffer from ED in their life over a long-term period. Most men also face occasional failure to get an erection. It can occur due to many reasons, such as drinking too much alcohol, relationship problems, or being extremely tired. ED does not concern with getting older. You can say that some older men may require more stimulation; they will be able to get an erection and enjoy intercourse.

It's very essential to understand that, for example, that just as a woman's sexual behavior may change as they age, so, too, do a man's. The sexual response of men also goes down with his age. He might have been excited simply by looking at his partner at his young age, but in his 40s or 50s, he may require more stimulation of the penis. So, a woman shouldn't take this as a symbol that her partner finds her unattractive. Most couples are shy to even begin any type of physical contact for fear of further disappointment. It can lead to even more of a physical distance between them. It's essential to maintain a sense of intimacy. You should not make intercourse the determining factor.

ED can occur because of having difficulties in the erection process. An erection is occurred due to increased blood flow into your penis. With the help of sexual thoughts or direct contact with your penis blood flow is usually stimulated. When a man feels excitement due to sexual thoughts, muscles in the penis relax. This will help in increased blood flow through the penile arteries, filling two chambers inside the penis. When the chambers fill with blood, the penis grows hard.

Male sexual excitement is a complex process. It involves the brain, hormones, emotions, and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can occur due to problems with any of these. Similarly, stress and mental health concerns can worsen erectile dysfunction. Sometimes due to physical and psychological problems, erectile dysfunction can occur. For example, a small physical condition that reduces your sexual response might develop anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting depression can lead to erectile dysfunction. There are a number of factors responsible for this, including:

Many men often feel quite frustrated for not being able to achieve an erection. They may see this as a symbol of their fertility and they're not able to get it on demand. There are also some external pressures like pornography or people giving their opinions about having better sex for a longer time on social media. But the reality is that if you're stressed, have eaten late and then you try to have intercourse, it will not happen easily. Some female partner’s think that they're not beautiful enough or that their husband is having an affair with other women and can't get an erection because he is enjoying intercourse elsewhere. But this is not the reason.

Recently some studies have shown a strong connection between current erectile dysfunction and depression. However, a study from the United States showed that being depressed did not increase the chance of experiencing erectile dysfunction. This may mean that the connection between erectile dysfunction and depression found in other studies appears because erectile dysfunction is the reason for depression, rather than vice versa.

Some studies showed that up to one-third of men with erectile dysfunction also face premature ejaculation problems. Anyone having both conditions will face a greater negative impact on the quality of life and sexual enjoyment.

TMen having lower urinary tract disorders are more likely to face erectile dysfunction than those without. Studies have shown 2–9 times increased chance of erectile dysfunction in men with lower urinary tract disorders.

The ideal way to prevent erectile dysfunction is to develop healthy lifestyle choices and to manage any existing health conditions. For instance:

• You should concern with your doctor to tackle diabetes and heart disease.
• You should see your doctor for regular checkups and medical tests.
• You should stop smoking and limit or avoid alcohol. Similarly, you should not use illegal drugs.
• Do Exercise regularly.
• You should take steps to reduce stress and anxiety.