ED symptoms and sexual desire go hand-in-hand. When you can’t achieve or maintain an erection that’s sufficient to enjoy sexual activity, you have erectile dysfunction (ED).
ED is a lot more common than you think men, affecting about one-quarter of men under 40, with this rate climbing as men age older.
In some cases, the urge to have sex, called sexual desire or libido, may decline along with the ability to achieve an erection. Are the two connected? There’s a very strong chance they are, and that’s what we discuss throughout this article.
Reasons behind ED
Discovering why you suffer from ED can sometimes be a complex process. Sexual arousal isn’t a simple sequence of events, no matter how much it may have seemed that way when you were younger.
While there’s certainly an autonomic response to sexual stimulus, there are also plenty of other factors affecting function, including your circulatory and nervous systems, hormone levels, muscle function, and even your emotional state.
Your brain processes all of these factors into what you know as “sexual desire”. So, a breakdown or failure in one or more of these subsystems could result in a state of low libido.
The libido cycle
The complexity of sexuality means that it’s not only easy for the arousal cycle to be interrupted, these interruptions themselves become a contributing factor for both low libido and ED. Since ED can cause low libido, and low libido can cause ED, breaking the cycle can be difficult.
It’s normal for ED to create feelings of anxiety and low esteem. Even a single experience with ED can undermine a man’s confidence, creating worry about future dysfunction. Because of this, the brain could suppress sexual desire to preserve aspects of self-esteem and ego. If a man doesn’t have strong sexual urges, he may not pursue sexual opportunities to avoid further experiences with ED. Makes sense right? So how do you break the cycle?
Breaking the cycle
Since ED often has multiple underlying causes, it’s often possible to break the cycle by treating or eliminating other contributing factors. Common medical conditions that may play a role in ED include:
Atherosclerosis (blocked blood vessels)
Some prescription drugs can also affect erectile function, as can lifestyle factors such as alcohol and tobacco use.
ED has also been linked to oral hygiene and gum disease. So reducing the impact of these factors can often restore enough natural erectile response that psychological blocks may be overcome.
Could your testosterone levels also be the culprit?
In addition to detrimental effects on your libido, sex life, and mood, low testosterone can sometimes lead to serious long-term health problems.
Men with very low testosterone levels experience
The good news is, reliable treatments are available called testosterone replacement therapy. At Niva Men’s Health, we can diagnose your testosterone levels, and work with you on a customized plan to bring them up to healthy levels that will leave you feeling great.
Healthy hormone levels contribute to your overall sense of well-being and vitality. And being able to express yourself sexually will have extensive beneficial impacts on your health and psyche.
If you have symptoms of low testosterone like decreased libido or ED, contact Niva Men’s Health today. With early diagnosis and the right treatment, we can get you back on the path to hormone health. A simple blood test often gives us enough information on your hormone levels to get started with treatment therapies.
The takeaway
Interruptions in a man’s sexuality can be a big confidence shaker for him. At Niva Men’s Health, we specialize in men’s sexual wellness allowing us to provide you with the most advanced, effective, and natural treatment options available.
Isn’t it time that you discover the reasons behind your ED symptoms and, more importantly, find solutions to the problems that are holding back your enjoyment?
The friendly staff at NIVA Men’s Health welcomes your call and looks forward to serving you. To schedule an appointment, you can call or use our secure online appointment request form. You can also sign up for a complimentary consultation to find out more.
Office Locations in Jacksonville,Fl., Manalapan, NJ, Melbourne, Fl, Naperville, IL, Novi, MI, and Woodstock, GA
