When you love someone but can’t be intimate with them, it can feel like your relationship has been broken in half. Erection problems can be the source of relationship issues, or relationship problems can sometimes cause erection problems. But there are ways you can deal with Eps in your relationship.
For you and your partner, being open with each other about the problem you’re facing is an important step towards making your love story whole again.
Understanding
Did you know EPs – or erectile dysfunction, to use the medical term – affect millions of men in the UK?* They might be something you’re ashamed or embarrassed about, but you shouldn’t be. They aren’t unusual and nobody is to blame.
*Prevalence based on men reporting occasional and frequent difficulty getting or maintaining an erection [ref. Kantar TNS Omnibus Survey Dec 2010 – in a survey of 1033 men].
Whether you're a man or the partner of a man with EPs, there's no need to feel threatened. EPs, which are also referred to as erectile dysfunction (ED), can be treated in most cases.
Erection problems are much more common than you might think. 4.3 million men in the UK experience symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED)* (the medical name for erection problems).
Some of the most common conditions and diseases that are linked to erectile dysfunction (ED) are ones that are also linked to lifestyle:
Cardiovascular disease
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Erection problems can also be caused by things that affect mental wellness, stress, anxiety and depression. EPs might be experienced regularly or just occasionally. In either case don't ignore them, as they could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
*Prevalence based on men reporting occasional and frequent difficulty getting or maintaining an erection [ref. Kantar TNS Omnibus Survey Dec 2010 – in a survey of 1033 men].
