Is Erectile Dysfunction Always Age-Related?
While age is a common factor in experiencing Erectile Dysfunction, it's not the only cause. Keep reading to find out what else could be causing ED.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is incredibly common, with around 70% of men experiencing the condition at some point in their lives. Do the math: that's most of the men you know, so let's get over any sort of embarrassment or stigma right now. ED is simply a bodily response to something going on physically or mentally.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to keep an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. While arousal may seem simple, there's actually a lot going on inside the body to cause an erection.
- When triggered by an arousing situation or thought, the brain sends nerve signals to the spongy tissues along the whole length of the penis.
- These signals cause the tissues to relax, which means blood can flow to the penis and fill the open spaces in the tissue.
- This increased blood pressure causes the penis to expand and become erect.
- Membranes around the tissue keep the penis erect.
If any part of this intricate process is interrupted, the penis may not be able to sustain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse.
Is age the only factor in Erectile Dysfunction?
Put simply, no. While age is a leading influence in ED, it's not the sole cause.
Erectile Dysfunction may occur due to depleted testosterone levels. Testosterone is the male sex hormone, and it's responsible for a whole host of bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells and sperm, influencing body fat and bone mass and regulating libido.
As we get older, our testosterone levels generally decrease, which means the sexual functions of testosterone may be affected. This is the main reason why Erectile Dysfunction is associated with getting older.
Other causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Our erections are influenced by our general health and lifestyles. Remember that complex process that occurs between feeling aroused and getting an erection? Well, lots of things can interrupt that - it's not just about your testosterone levels.
Other medical causes of ED include:
- obesity
- diabetes
- heart disease
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- high cholesterol
- enlarged prostate
- sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
Lifestyle choices and ED
Erectile Dysfunction isn't only caused by chronic health conditions. Our lifestyle choices have a huge impact on all aspects of our health, including our sexual health. ED may also be more likely if you:
- Smoke tobacco
- Drink alcohol
- Take certain prescription medications
Psychological causes of ED
Our mental wellness plays a huge role in our sexual health. After all, the brain is the trigger for all of those physical chain reactions that lead to an erection. If you are stressed or have experienced tension, your feelings of sexual desire may be inhibited, which can cause ED. You may also be more likely to experience ED if you suffer with anxiety or depression.
There is also a link between experiencing ED just once and getting into an anxious self-perpetuating cycle. Some men may feel embarrassed or confused about their ED (though, they really needn't be - we're not robots). This negative association can cause anxiety about the next erection, which is really annoying because we know anxiety is not great for sexual wellness. You can read more about the association between Erectile Dysfunction and anxiety here.
How to get help with ED
There are a range of treatment options for ED. As well as altering your lifestyle to make healthier choices, you may be eligible for medication. Men2BeHealth offers a range of treatment options for Erectile Dysfunction. You can take a quick online quiz to find out if medication is appropriate for you, and if it is, we'll deliver it to your door in discreet packaging.
Click here to start your online consultation
Whether you've experienced ED once or a hundred times, it's never too late to take positive steps to improve your sexual health. Please don't let this hugely common condition worry you. We're all human and there's nothing wrong with exploring our options for better wellness.
Erection Depression, Body Shame and Men's Mental Health
There are too many taboos around men's sexual and physical wellness which conceal a more sinister mental health crisis.
Men's wellbeing often gets brushed aside, or worse still, jeered at. There are so many troubling taboos associated with men's health, so it's no wonder that men are less likely to seek medical support that women.
The risk of men's mental health deteriorating due to common, treatable concerns is one we must reduce. Men have a far higher risk of suicide than women, with suicide rates the highest amongst men aged 40-44 in the UK. With men already facing a mental health epidemic, improving men's relationships with their own bodies and their self-confidence is a healthcare imperative.
After treating patients in the community for years, Welsh pharmacists Jack and Andy (that's us, hi) decided to create an online wellness platform to treat common concerns facing men. Men2BeHealth addresses a whole host of regular issues, such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and hair loss.
These are problems we see getting undermined again and again, but doing so can be detrimental to men's wellbeing. Treating ED is so much more than just giving a man a boost in the bedroom. Helping someone take control of their hair loss isn't just a superficial issue. Men's mental health suffers when they don't get the support they require.
Erection Depression
Evidence shows a strong link between erectile dysfunction and poor mental health amongst men.
The correlation between erectile issues and depression is widely reported. A 2009 study of 3,810 men found that those with ED had significantly lower mental health scores than those without ED.
Around 10-20% of ED cases are caused by psychological factors, which may include trauma, stress, anxiety about performing sexually, or low self-esteem. Thus, men who are dealing with the difficulties of ED may also be struggling with mental health challenges. Seeking help for ED should not be stigmatised. In fact, it shouldn't be a big deal at all.
Men2BeHealth as a hassle-free, discreet service; not because men should have to keep these things secret, but because accessing medical support should be easy, and free of any daunting scenarios that may deter people from seeking help.
Premature Ejaculation (PE)
Eight trials including 18,035 participants found that depression was significantly associated with the risk of premature ejaculation. 20-30% of men may be affected by PE, which paints a grim picture for men's mental health. Men with PE complain about decreased sexual confidence and psychological comorbidities, impairing their own mental health and their relationship dynamics.
The relationship between premature ejaculation and poor mental health is a mutual one. It can be difficult to determine whether poor mental health is the pre-cursor to premature ejaculation or vice versa. But, what's evident is that physical symptoms often indicate mental health issues, and they shouldn't be ignored.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is incredibly common. Nevertheless, many men find this distressing and losing hair is heavily associated with the development of anxiety and depression, particularly (but not only) amongst younger men who experience hair loss.
There are several ways of combatting hair loss. We offer a medical solution, called finasteride. Some men may also choose to seek hair transplants. But what's troubling is that these solutions are often sought out in secret. While men are dealing with physical changes, they also have to put up with unnecessary shame around wanting to take control of their appearance.
If you or anyone you know is dealing any of the issues listed above, please feel free to browse our support here. We would always recommend chatting to your doctor or someone with your best interest at heart if you are dealing with mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
If you've got any questions, please email [email protected] and we'll be sure to help you in any way we can.
How to regain confidence in bed
Lost your confidence in the bedroom? Fear not, these evidence-based tips will help you regain your mojo.
No one feels like a stud in the bedroom every time they have sex. Feeling less than adequate in this department is totally normal. According to Petra Zebroff, relationship counsellor and sex therapist, “Everybody is having (some sort of) confidence issues when it comes to sex”. Don't fret, we've got several practical tips to help you reframe the way you think about and engage in sex. It's not all about 'spicing things up' either.
Tip #1: Be more present
Is your mind somewhere else? If you're worrying about the to-do list waiting for you at the end of your bedroom venture, you're less likely to enjoy the experience. You're also more likely to worry about the way your body looks when you're less engaged in the sensual side of sex.
Practice mindfulness to help you refocus on the moment. It's good practice to build this into your everyday life, but if you want to be more mindful during sex, focus on the things you can see and feel. Let your senses bring you back to the moment.
Tip #2: Try Edging
Lots of men are concerned about premature ejaculation. If you're looking for a medical solution to this common concern, click here to complete our quick online consultation. Otherwise, you could try edging. Edging is a way of masturbating where a men gets as close to climax as possible and then stops, to delay reaching orgasm. This has been found to help delay ejaculation and may promote more intense orgasms. Win win! This may help you feel more in control of your own sexual experience.
Tip #3: Discuss Preferences
News flash: you shouldn’t be expected to just know what to do. Every partner is different, with different preferences. Your needs might change from partner to partner, too. Have open conversations with your partner about what they like in bed, and let them know that you'd like to learn and explore together. Talk positions, turn ons (and offs) and don’t let pride stop you from having these conversations.
Tip #4: Leave your Expectations at the Door
Assume a growth mindset when having sex. Enjoy each interaction and don’t worry if something awkward happens or if your positions just aren’t clicking. Sex is about exploration and no two encounters are the same- it would be boring if they were.
Tip #5: Laugh with Each Other
Laughter is attractive, and it puts you and your partner at ease (as long as you're not laughing at them, of course). Humans are flawed and you don't have to perform immaculately. Let yourself laugh when something's funny.
Tip #6: Get Regular Exercise
A recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found an association between regular exercise and better erectile and sexual functioning. Being generally healthy and fit may offer you more strength and stamina in the bedroom, and it's likely to improve your self-confidence.
Tip #7: Don't Learn from Porn
Don’t get your sex education from porn. It’s not a realistic representation of healthy sexual relationships. Do you know the difference between the vagina and the labia? Do women actually ejaculate? Is lube really necessary for anal sex? Knowledge is power.
Tip #8: Switch It Up
Here comes the most obvious but maybe least important tip for improving sexual confidence: spice things up to keep sex interesting. Trying something new in the bedroom can help you feel more sexually savvy, as it’s the same old routines that make us question our allure. You don’t have to be bold, simply try a new position, have sex in a different room or switch up foreplay.
Medical Support
If you're experiencing erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation on a regular basis you may be eligible for medical support. To see what options are available to you, click here to take our quick online consultation.