Although more than half of men between the ages of 40-70 experience erectile dysfunction (ED), there is a lot of misinformation about the condition.
With that in mind, Dr Neel Patel, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, has dispelled myths about ED – including whether 'too much' masturbation can cause it.
But what actually is ED? Dr Patel explains: "Erectile dysfunction or ED is when you are either unable to get an erection, or struggle to maintain one for long enough to have sex."
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Talking about how common it is, he added: “ED is very common. By 2025, the condition is expected to affect approximately 322 million men worldwide – a figure that has more than doubled since 1995. Most men experience ED occasionally, for example, when stressed or after drinking too much alcohol, and this is not a cause for concern.
“If you keep experiencing ED and feel it is affecting your self-image or sex life, it may be a good idea to seek medical advice. Although rare, ED can be a side effect of more serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.”
Asked why there are so many myths about ED, the expert says it is mainly because a lot of men feel embarrassed about seeking medical advice. "For this reason, there is a lot of damaging false information that circulates about the condition," they said.
Check out the eight myths below as Dr Patel gives you the real truth about them.
1. Only old men get ED
Although ED is more common in older men and prevalence increases with age, ED can occur at any age, says Dr Patel. In fact, around half of men aged 40-70 experience ED, he says.
“Recent studies have also shown ED is becoming increasingly common in younger men," says the doctor. A 2013 study revealed that 26% of patients diagnosed with ED were under the age of 40. This may be due to lifestyle choices such as drinking alcohol and watching a lot of pornography.”
2. If you get ED once you have a problem
Dr Patel says: "I have had patients who have struggled to get or maintain an erection once or twice and believe they have a problem. In reality, it’s normal to experience these issues occasionally.”
3. ED means you’re not attracted to your partner
Personal relationships are just one of the myriad of possible causes of ED, says the expert.
"Don't jump to conclusions about ED being a sign that your attraction for your partner is to blame," he says. "Your ED may be due to stress, anxiety, side effects of medication or other health conditions.”
4. ED is all in mind
"In the past, it was thought ED was caused by psychological factors alone. Now, we understand that physical conditions such as diabetes can cause or contribute to erectile issues," says Dr Patel.
5. ED means there’s something wrong with your penis
Men who experience ED assume it is a sign of a physical problem with their penis. But if your ED only occurs in certain situations (for example when having sex with your partner but not during masturbation) it’s likely the underlying cause is psychological or stress related, says the doctor.
6. ED means you have low testosterone
“It’s true that ED can be a symptom of low testosterone levels," says Dr Patel.
"But too many men assume experiencing ED automatically means this is the case for them. In reality, there is no direct correlation between testosterone deficiency and ED. While most men’s testosterone levels fall with age, these levels aren’t usually low enough to induce ED.”
7. ED is caused by too much masturbation or pornography
It’s often reported that masturbating too frequently can cause ED but this isn’t true, according to Dr Patel. He says: "Masturbation should not damage the penis. That said, some studies have linked the guilt that surrounds masturbation for some individuals and ED. Plus, as you get older, the recovery period that follows ejaculation may take longer. So you’ll need to plan extra time between masturbation and sex.
“When it comes to pornography, the evidence is inconclusive. However, some studies suggest excessive consumption or consumption of particularly hardcore pornography can lead to unrealistic expectations of sex.”
8. Medication is the only way to treat ED
Dr Patel says: “Many patients assume ED treatment means medication like Viagra. But in actual fact, ED is primarily treated by tackling the underlying cause. This could mean lifestyle changes such as losing weight or psychological treatments including sex therapy. Other medications may also be recommended to treat the underlying medical cause.”
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