2018-05-30T07:01:01
(BPT) – Erectile dysfunction, or ED, may be difficult to talk about, but more than half of men over 40 experience some degree of ED.[1] It can be frustrating, embarrassing and confusing to be unable to achieve or maintain an erection, but there are many myths about this common health condition that should be dispelled.
Myth: ED is Just a Normal Part of Aging
Fact: It’s true that ED becomes more common as men age, but it does not need to be something that men accept as a routine part of getting older. ED is a medical condition that can and should be treated, whether it occurs at 41 or at 89.
Myth: Having ED Means A Man Doesn’t Want Sex
Fact: Some men who experience ED may avoid having sexual intercourse because they are afraid they will not be able to get or maintain an erection. However, ED is not an indication of sexual desire, and treating ED may help to restore a healthy sex life.
Myth: ED is Nothing to be Concerned About
Fact: Although it isn’t always the case, ED can be a sign of an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease.[2] For example, almost 70 percent of the time, ED occurs before coronary heart disease.[3] And, particularly for men younger than 45, ED can be an early symptom of undiagnosed diabetes.[4] It’s important to see a doctor when experiencing symptoms of ED to rule out possible serious medical conditions.
Myth: ED can be Treated Simply by Taking a Pill
Fact: While oral medications are a common first step to treat ED, they don’t work for everyone. About 50 percent of men with ED typically give up or the pills stop working[5] and men taking prescriptions for heart disease may not be able to take ED medications.[6] The good news is that there are a number of other treatment options available such as a penile implant, which offers a permanent solution and provides the man with complete control over his erections. ED medications have been used to treat the condition for twenty years,[7] and penile implants have been used for more than 40 years.[8]
If you or a loved one is struggling with symptoms of ED, it’s important to speak with a specialist. Visit www.edcure.org to:
- Take a simple assessment to receive a customized profile of ED symptoms and see how severely it may be impacting you or your loved one’s life
- Find an ED specialist in your area
- Register for free educational seminars to learn more about treatment options
- Hear how people like you have found treatment for their ED and get answers to common questions about ED, penile implants and insurance coverage.
EDCURE.ORG is a website sponsored by Boston Scientific Corporation
[1] Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol. 1994 Jan;151(1):54-61. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)
[2] Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol. 1994 Jan;151(1):54-61. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)
[3] Gandaglia G, Briganti A, Jackson G, et al. A systematic review of the association between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Eur Urol. 2014 May;65(5):968-78.
[4] Sexual and Urologic Problems of Diabetes. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/sup/. Accessed May 2015. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)
[5] Matthew AG, Goldman A, Trachtenberg J, et al. Sexual dysfunction after radical prostatectomy: prevalence, treatments, restricted use of treatments and distress. J Urol. 2005 Dec;174(6):2105-10. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)
[6] Jackson G, Rosen RC, Kloner RA, et al. The second Princeton consensus on sexual dysfunction and cardiac risk: new guidelines for sexual medicine. J Sex Med. 2006 Jan;3(1):28–36. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)
[7] Viagra: The Little Blue Pill That Could. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/27/health/viagra-anniversary-timeline/index.html. Accessed March 2018.
[8] Scott FB, Bradley WE, Timm GW. Management of erectile impotence: use of implantable inflatable prosthesis. Urology. 1973 Jul:2(1):80-2. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)