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Dr Rob Hicks |
Straight talk about erectile dysfunction
‘Embarrassment is the main obstacle to tackling a condition that can destroy relationships’
ERECTILE Dysfunction (ED) – where men find they’re unable to achieve or sustain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse – is the ultimate humiliation of the macho man.
The dreaded impotence affects men of all ages, shapes and sizes – but the vast majority are too embarrassed to talk about it outside the walls of the bedroom, let alone seek help from a doctor.
Failing to rise to the occasion may cause a few sniggers down the pub, but it could end up wrecking your relationship and leaving you with deep-rooted psychological problems – and is a indicator that a heart attack could be lurking around the
corner.
ED awareness campaigner Dr Rob Hicks, of the Randolph Practice in south Kilburn, said: “It starts out that the patient is too embarrassed to ask for help. But after a while, the man can just reach breaking point.
“They come in and say: ‘I just don’t know what to do – it’s tearing me apart.’
“Men with ED may feel angry or guilty, and become depressed. Many lose interest in sex and relationships often suffer. It can terrify people, getting into a situation like that.”
The Department of Health regularly latches on to this fear of failure – its new shock-factor cigarette packet warnings include a droopy cigarette warning smokers their addiction could cause impotence.
But impotence, mainly caused by stress, can cause psychological illness on both sides of the relationship.
Dr Hicks said: “It is not just the man [who is affected]. There is often a knock-on effect for the partner. The wife might think that their man doesn’t love her anymore, and also that he is attracted to someone else. There can be a lot of suspicion. I often invite the couple to come in together to talk about it.”
Around 40 per cent of men will experience associated problems at some point in there life. Dr Hicks believes that around two thirds of cases are caused by stress He added: “ED usually occurs in patients that are feeling stressed. The concerns stops the man from enjoying sex. A lot of the time, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
The other third, mainly older patients, struggle with erections as a side-effect of other illness that stop the blood getting to the penis. Patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid or kidney problems or heavy smokers often struggle with erections.
Dr Hicks said: “In fact researchers have warned that erectile
dysfunction may be an early warning of widespread atherosclerosis which could lead within a couple of years to a heart attack.”
There are straightforward tablet treatments available and the problem is normally fairly easily solved. It might make men shudder, but other treatments include vacuum pumps or penile implants, and medicines such as intra-urethral pellet therapy and injections.
Dr Hicks said: “There are prescription tablets you can take. In the past decade oral new medicines that help a man to achieve an erection have radically improved the treatment of ED.
“These drugs work for the majority of men affected, whatever the cause.”
To reduce your risk of ED, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, eat healthily, take regular exercise, and make sure you relax and get plenty of rest. |
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