Myths and Facts About Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also called impotence, occurs when you can't achieve or maintain an erect penis adequate for sexual intercourse. While almost all men have some difficulty once in awhile, it occurs regularly for at least 30 million American men.

Unfortunately, many men don’t seek treatment for ED, either because they’re embarrassed by the condition or because they buy into the stigma of the many misconceptions about it.

At Revive Health Clinic, our expert team of men’s health providers diagnose and treat many men with ED at our Lady Lake, Florida, office. We also try to educate our patients about the facts of the condition, so they can be better informed about their sexual health.

In that vein, we’re taking the opportunity here to discuss a number of the myths surrounding erectile dysfunction and debunk them with the facts.

Myths and facts about erectile dysfunction

Here are some common myths about ED and the facts that debunk them.

Myth #1: ED is a part of aging

Fact: While it’s true that ED becomes more prevalent as you age, it’s not a natural part of getting older. You may require more stimulation to achieve an erection, but many men well into their senior years are still having good, healthy sex.

Myth #2: ED doesn’t happen when you’re young

Fact: Many different factors go into having an erection, from proper blood flow to your psychological state. If any one of them is “off” a bit, you may have difficulty, no matter what your age.

Myth #3: ED isn’t related to your overall health

Fact: ED is most certainly related to your overall health. Some of the primary causes of erection difficulties include:

• Heart problems: includes hypertension and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Diabetes: from 35 to 50% of men with diabetes get ED
• Some medications: e.g., blood pressure, anxiety, and depression meds
• Nerve disorders: includes Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
• Hormonal imbalances
• Mood problems: includes stress, anxiety, and depression
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Enlarged prostate

Regular visits with your primary care provider can diagnose all of these causes early, when they’re more easily treated.

Myth #4: ED is all in your head

Fact: We’ve just seen that this isn’t true, but the problem might not be all in your body, either. In many cases, ED stems from a combination of both physical and psychological factors. For instance, your ED may have a physical cause — often a problem with the vessels that allow blood to flow to your penis.

However, the more you stress about the situation, the more your brain plays a role in making an erection more difficult. Try keeping a log of when problems occur so you — and your doctor — can determine what’s driving the problem.

Myth #5: All ED drugs are the same

Fact: The meds you’re probably most familiar with — Viagra®, Cialis®, and Levitra® — all belong to the same class of first-line treatments: PDE5 inhibitors. And they all work the same way, by relaxing smooth muscles to increase blood flow to the penis. Nevertheless, each one affects your body a bit differently, which is important in maximizing their benefits.

Viagra and Levitra both reach peak effectiveness in about an hour, while Cialis takes about two. Also, if you eat a heavy, fatty meal before taking Viagra or Levitra, that can reduce the effectiveness of the drugs. You’ll need to wait between two to three hours after your meal to take those.

Want to learn more about the facts about erectile dysfunction? Revive Health Clinic can help. To schedule a consultation, call our office at 352-290-0896, or book online with us today.