Erectile dysfunction is a male issue that makes a man unable to have sex. It usually happens at old age, but it can happen at any age due to any possible reason. But it can be prevented if you are aware of the early signs that may lead to impotence.
Two words that can send shockwaves down any man’s spine- erectile dysfunction. While we all have off days where we just don’t feel it- whether we’re too tired, too excited, or sometimes for no apparent reason at all, it can turn into an issue if the problem persists.
When should you be concerned?
Erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to keep an erection firm enough to engage in sexual intercourse. Erections normally occur during a state of sexual arousal, and while getting aroused seems like the easiest thing you can do on most days, it is a complicated process. There are physiological as well as psychological factors involved in stimulating sexual desire, and subsequent arousal and performance. It is thus understandable if you are unable to get it up, say, if your relationship has hit a rough patch, or you’re under a lot of stress at work.
However, if this continues for a longer duration of time, and is not a one-off incident or two, maybe it’s time you started taking notice. Erectile dysfunction, while a serious enough condition in itself, could also be a sign of something larger, and much more sinister.
What you should look out for
Here are a few early warning signs typically associated with erectile dysfunction:
1. Reduced sexual drive- The most obvious symptom of erectile dysfunction is a reduction in your libido or sex drive. You do not get the urge to engage in sex as much as you used to, even when things are going well in your relationship as well as your work life, and this could be an early warning sign that you might be suffering from erectile dysfunction.
2. Inability to get an erection- In certain cases, even if you feel sexually aroused and want to engage in sexual intercourse, your body doesn’t respond the way it is supposed to in order to facilitate intercourse. You constantly find yourself engaging in sexually arousing foreplay yet unable to get an erection - this could be another sign of erectile dysfunction.
3. Inability to maintain an erection- If you do manage to get yourself up and about, you fail to maintain an erection long enough to have intercourse. This could either be premature ejaculation, where you climax within a minute of starting sexual intercourse or just losing an erection soon without climaxing, both of which could be impending signs of erectile dysfunction.
What you can do
Erectile dysfunction is very common and can be caused due to a variety of factors in isolation or in combination. These can range from sedentary lifestyle choices to psychological issues to underlying physiological medical conditions such as, side-effects from other drugs, of which erectile dysfunction is just a symptom. The key to getting your sex life back on track is identifying the root cause and then tackling it effectively.
1. Sedentary lifestyle- If you work a white-collar job, chances are you lead a pretty sedentary life with minimum physical exertion in your day to day activities. A hectic desk job also brings with it other poor choices like improper diet and lack of physical exercise, all of which can contribute to a lowered sex drive. Try to get more active by putting a few simple exercise routines into your daily schedule.
2. Physiological problems- Your issues down there could also be because of various physiological problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or chronic inflammations. For these, you should consult a licensed medical practitioner, who will help diagnose the issue. Erectile dysfunction can also be caused due to hormonal imbalances that prevent you from getting an erection, in which case you can try medication like Silagra 100 mg, which has been found to increase the blood flow to your penis, resulting in your being able to maintain an erection. Of course, as with all drugs, before starting a course of the drug, inform your physician of any other medication you might be taking to avoid any adverse reactions.
3. Psychological problems- If it’s not the first two, then this is probably it. It could be either poor stress management, in which case you need to slow things down a little and reevaluate your priorities and allocate time for calming activities, or it could be issues with self-esteem, which only get worse the longer your erectile dysfunction persists. In this case, consider going to a therapist and talking things through. It could also be due to relationship troubles, in which case consider going to couples therapy which won’t just solve your sexual problems but emotional ones as well.
All things said and done, erectile dysfunction can understandably be a source of embarrassment and low self-esteem for an individual. However, you should not lose hope as it is treatable with a variety of options available at your disposal. Just try and identify the problem as early as possible, and go get your mojo back!
