One of these issues, as common as little spoken, is erectile dysfunction or trigger. All men have ever suffered an episode of sexual impotence, as it is common for the external reproductive system not to function properly after the consumption of certain substances or in the presence of psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, nervousness and many other conditions.
The real problem comes when the dysfunction is constant and the sexual act is diminished (partially or totally) on all occasions. If you want to know more about this clinical entity and how to put an end to it, read on.
- We recommend you read: “Male reproductive system: parts, anatomy and functions”
What causes the trigger in men?
First of all, it is necessary to make it clear that this condition is very common, despite what gender taboos would have us believe. Approximately 52% of men in the United States between the ages of 40 and 70 have some type of erectile dysfunction (ED). It is estimated that 30 to 50 million people in this country suffer from ED, a figure that increases to 150 million people if extrapolated to the whole world.
This figure is believed to be very poorly indicative, as psychosocial factors and gender dynamics make men reluctant to acknowledge their condition. Even so, the following reality cannot be evidenced: at 70 years of age, 7 out of 10 men have erectile dysfunction.
Beyond epidemiological figures, it should be noted that ED is conceived as an entity linked to the emotional field, but nothing is further from reality: only 10% of consistent triggers are due to a psychological pathology, while 80% find its cause in a physiological failure. We expand on this topic with the following list:
- 35% of people with hypertension have ED, while 40% of men with ED are hypertensive. If the blood flow does not reach the penis correctly, it will not become erect.
- One-third of men with diabetes also have hypogonadism. This could explain the high prevalence of triggers in diabetics. 35% of people with ED also have hypogonadism.
- People with obesity have a 50% chance of having consistent triggers.
- Men who are chronic smokers and alcoholics are also at risk of developing ED. For example, a person who stops smoking increases their sexual performance, on average, by 25%.
- Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is associated with ED in 72% of cases.
Hypertension, diabetes and obesity are, therefore, the main causal agents of triggers in mentag. In any case, we cannot ignore the fact that depression, anxiety and other psychological symptoms are responsible for 10% of clinical symptoms, a percentage surely higher if we go to the young population without so many systemic effects.
- We recommend you read: “6 possible causes of loss of sexual desire in the couple”
The trigger and the psychological state
On the other hand, it is also important to note that people with depression are 40% more likely to have erectile dysfunctioncompared to those who do not suffer from this psychiatric condition. Studies have also found a positive correlation between loss of self-esteem and triggers. Men with erectile dysfunction can feel depressed before the picture appears in the sexual field, but the lack of fulfillment in bed can further promote this feeling of uselessness prolonged in time.
In other words, psychological symptomatology is not usually the first trigger of dysfunction, but it clearly has effects on the patient’s mental health. Although up to 80% of the inhabitants of certain countries see erectile dysfunction as “normal”, very few are willing to admit that they suffer from it and even fewer consider seeking professional help on the subject.
How to put an end to the triggers?
First of all, we emphasize again that an isolated trigger event is nothing to worry abouttag. It happens to all of us at some point, and it’s not a reason for diminished masculinity, embarrassment, or poor performance in bed. You only have to start considering a visit to the doctor if the following points are met:
- The man can have erections on occasion, but not every time he wants to engage in sexual intercourse.
- The man can have an erection in all cases, but it does not last long enough to finish the sexual act.
- The male cannot have erections at any time, whether he wants to or not. This may be accompanied by a persistent and noticeable decrease in sex drive.
Any of these realities is reason enough to visit the doctor. Since most causes are physiological, the professional will probably order a blood test, a physical exam, a urinalysis, and, if no trigger is found, an ultrasound. The most common is that the superficial examination detects hypertension or, failing that, in the fluid analysis, diabetes.
In the event that the cause is eminently physiological, the treatment should be focused on controlling diabetes, hypertension, BPH or obesity, for example. Medications like Sildenafil (Viagra) or Tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis) can help you get an erection before sex, but they don’t magically cure the underlying cause. Therefore, theyare a transitory treatment that must be accompanied by other approaches , depending on the clinical entity of each individual.
On the other hand, if everything is fine on a physical level, it is necessary to transfer the condition to the psychiatric field. Depression, anxiety, and traumatic events related to sexual intercourse can promote erectile dysfunction that is not explained by blood or urine tests. In these cases, professionals usually turn to cognitive-behavioral therapies, which teach the patient to “unlearn” maladaptive behaviors and avoid moments and thoughts that lead to chronic stress.
In any case, in the face of depression and anxiety disorders, it is almost always necessary to take certain drugs, such as SSRI-type antidepressants (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and benzodiazepines at times when emotional discomfort is more acute. The fact of going to therapy does not imply that long-term drugs are not necessary .
- We recommend you read: “What is tantric sex and how to practice it?”
The importance of seeking help
There is no point in being ashamed or hiding a picture of continuous triggers over timetag. It is not the “fault” of the man who wears it, it is not a voluntary matter and it is not a sign of lack of manhood. Every disease (be it psychological, physical or both) manifests itself in some way, and erectile dysfunction is one more sign. If a person who experiences it keeps quiet, it is possible that the disease that causes it will be discovered when it is already too late.
In addition to all this, it is also necessary to take into account that masculinity and the body are not linked. Feeling like a man is not even conditioned by the genitals, much less by their performance in sexual activity. With more and more gender spectrums and identities being accepted these days, it doesn’t make any sense to tie personal validity to penis size, shape, or functionality. If the canons of gender are deconstructed, we all win: the expression of vulnerability will be easier for men and society will become a standard of acceptance.
Taking into account the above, it is important to attend therapy to have professional help before the triggers; from psychotherapy and medicine it is possible to have effective solutions to overcome the physical and emotional elements behind this dysfunction.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
