Let’s be honest: sex is great. We love to have it, and some of us can’t get enough of it. Sex remains one of the most intimate forms of human connection but what happens when some parts of us don’t cooperate? That is, how do we begin to cope with issues such as low testosterone and or erectile dysfunction? Though we may act as if these problems never affect us, as many as 30 million men face difficulties with getting or keeping an erection. With our emphasis on sex, the inability to have it can lead to problems with mental health and be an early sign of more serious health issues.
Low Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction: What’s the connection?
To better understand how erectile dysfunction works, it is important to know about its connection with Testosterone. Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is important to normal male sexual development and function. Testosterone levels tend to decrease with age which makes it difficult to make sperm. Some men from different age groups have low Testosterone which leads to symptoms such as:
- Low sex drive
- Fatigue
- Reduced lean muscle mass
- Irritability
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depression
Although Erectile Dysfunction may be a symptom of low Testosterone levels, it is not always connected to it. Because of this, it is important to recognize symptoms of Erectile dysfunction and how it affects health.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sex problem and is defined as “trouble getting or keeping an erection that’s firm enough for sex” (Urology Care Foundation). Although occasionally having difficulty getting an erection is no cause for alarm, ED that is continuous or becomes a pattern should be treated. This is largely because ED can be viewed as an early warning sign of a more serious illness such as heart disease or high blood pressure. ED can also cause
- Low self esteem
- Depression
- Distress for the man and his partner
Treatment Options:
Having difficulty with sex is nothing to be ashamed of but it should be taken seriously. If you have a pattern of erectile dysfunction, there are a variety of treatment options to help approach the issue. It is important to remember that asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of—especially when it helps improve the overall well-being of a person. Be sure to talk to your health care provider for which treatment options are best for you.
Resources and References:
https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)
https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/l/low-testosterone
https://mychn.org/services/mens-health/
