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What is Erectile Dysfunction?

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Men with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) have trouble getting or keeping an erection that is stiff enough for sex during most of their intimate encounters. Trouble with erections often cause a major blow to men’s egos, leading many to struggle with depression and low self-esteem. Men put a lot of value in their sexual prowess and frequently see ED as a personal failure. They feel embarrassed about it, which prevents many from discussing it with their partners or even their doctors. Additionally, partners blame themselves, thinking they are not attractive or sufficiently sexually enticing. As the problem continues, sex becomes a point of contention and stress for couples instead of an enjoyable experience.

Most men who encounter Erectile Dysfunction deal with it because of various physical health issues. The most common culprits are heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. As a result, people usually associate ED with just getting older. However, ED is not a natural part of aging. In fact, it often serves as an early warning sign of other, underlying medical issues.

On the other hand, the other main group of men dealing with Erectile Dysfunction are both young and generally physically healthy. These are the men whose emotions, like anxiety and depression, cause erectile problems. One in ten men have trouble getting an erection during their first time having sex from the anxiety around such a major step in life. Having a new, relatively unknown partner as well as drinking and drug use can also cause erection issues. After ED happens once, some men develop anxiety about it happening again, “performance” anxiety, which causes even more erection problems.

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References
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  2. Erectile Dysfunction – Harvard Health. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/erectile-dysfunction on 3/27/19. [Citation is on paragraph 1]
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  4. What is Erectile Dysfunction? – Urology Care Foundation. (2019, March 25). Retrieved from https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/erectile-dysfunction#Causes on 3/25/19. [Citation is in Causes]
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  9. Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/diagnosis on 1/13/19. [Citation is on Imaging Tests]
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  14. Erectile Dysfunction – Harvard Health. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/erectile-dysfunction on 3/27/19. [Citation is on paragraph 3]
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