For more information about the various options for treating erectile dysfunction, check out “Drugs and Devices for Erectile Dysfunction.”
The emotional side
No matter what the cause of erectile dysfunction, it is likely to cause feelings of stress and other emotional reactions. It’s also not uncommon for erection problems to cause tension in a relationship, particularly if one or both partners withdraws emotionally and the problem is not talked about. And it’s possible for a man’s renewed ability to have intercourse after a period of no sexual activity to stir up relationship issues.
Seeing a psychologist or sex therapist, therefore, can be helpful for many men or couples, even if the origins of sexual dysfunction are physical. A therapist can help an individual or couple to communicate more easily, feel less anxious, and develop realistic expectations for sex.
The bottom line is that nearly all men with diabetes who wish to have an erection adequate for sexual intercourse can do so with the therapies currently available. And with commitment and communication, the experience of erectile dysfunction can be changed from a potential personal tragedy to an opportunity for greater emotional intimacy in a couple.
