Despite more than half of British men over the age of thirty admitting to struggling in the bedroom – discussions related to addressing certain sexual dysfunctions and problems are often shrouded in secrecy, leaving many men to struggle in silence.
Although people are way more comfortable discussing certain health-related issues – heart diseases, diabetes, obesity – conversations around erectile dysfunction often take the backseat.
Yet, a study conducted by Atomik Research recently found a robust 43 per cent of men aged 18 to 60 years across the United Kingdom are suffering from impotence, otherwise known as erectile dysfunction.
Even more, the same study found that four in ten men blame stress, and a third says tiredness is often the cause followed by anxiety and heavy consumption of alcohol.
While it may not be an easy conversation to have, we’re here to help discuss how you can communicate better about erectile dysfunction, and what are some things you can consider during your conversation with your male peers.
Before starting the conversation, be sure that you are aware of the facts surrounding erectile dysfunction (ED) and what are the common symptoms that may occur throughout a person’s life.
Many people typically believe that ED is associated with older men, however, this is not the case as we’ve already seen. Men as young as in their thirties can experience erectile dysfunction, and while you or someone you know are having problems getting an erection from time to time, there isn’t a cause for concern.
The Mayo Clinic describes ED symptoms as the constant and persistent inability to:
While you may experience any of these symptoms at any given time, you shouldn’t be concerned. However, experts from the Mayo Clinic suggest that people concerned about their erections, or experiencing other types of sexual problems such as premature or delayed ejaculation may consider consulting with a healthcare provider on the matter.
On top of this, experts further suggest that some chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease might be linked to ED. If you fall in this category or have experienced a combination of erectile and sexual dysfunctions over recent months, you can consider reaching out to an expert to address the issue.
There are many things that may cause erectile dysfunction, and this may be different for each person. Some of the more common reasons for erectile dysfunction include:
Now that we have some of the facts on our side, and better understand what erectile dysfunction is, it’s time to start discussing how to have a conversation with your male friends, and communicate openly about ED.
Talking about something such as ED may be a sensitive topic, either to you or the person you’re having the conversation with. Make sure to choose a time and place that is best suitable for both of you and where you both can feel comfortable.
Try to avoid crowded places such as a bar, restaurant or café and instead opt for something more quiet and intimate. By having fewer distractions, you both can feel relaxed, and feel comfortable responding or carrying the conversation further without having eyes and ears all around you.
When bringing up the topic, be sure to make it clear that you are discussing this from a personal point of view, and it should be treated as such. Bringing up the topic in a seemingly nonchalant way could give the impression that you are jokingly addressing issues relating to ED.
Instead, when opening the conversation, be clear about your intentions, and why you are willing to discuss this topic. Don’t come across as overbearing, but also don’t be timid when a friend shoots you down or tries to move the conversation in a new direction.
Next, you need to make sure that the other person is open to discussing ED, this would help you both feel more comfortable regarding the situation and whatever may be shared. Additionally, you want to know that you can trust the other person and that you don’t feel awkward while talking about either your or his penis.
Laying down the groundwork would ensure that you can feel comfortable sharing something personal, and vice versa. If you’re on the receiving end, try to keep your reaction to a minimum, and instead listen, rather than react to everything they say.
If you’re the one sharing your experience, make sure to keep the conversation light at first, to see their body language, and how you can begin to include more information as the conversation continues.
Instead of downplaying the situation the whole time for the sake of making yourself or the other person feel comfortable, address the issue as it stands, and overcome the personal barriers that might be holding you back.
By talking about ED with a friend, you’re making a mature decision to discuss something so intimate and personal, that you automatically reduce feelings of self-doubt or even low self-esteem.
There is nothing embarrassing about ED, and it’s a completely natural and normal thing that happens to a lot of men, regardless of their age, health or genetic history.
Although you might feel out of place discussing your sex life and sexual health with a close friend, keep in mind that you would’ve had the same conversation with a healthcare provider during a physical examination.
Now that you have shared your mind, and have opened the floor to the discussion of ED, it’s time to listen to what the other person has to say. Sure, your friend might not be a medical professional or an expert in this field, however, it’s important that you now do the same for them, by listening to what they have to say about the situation.
Leave enough room for them to ask questions, and communicate this with them. Of course, you don’t have to answer all of their questions or at least the ones you don’t feel comfortable with.
There isn’t a better way of learning about something than with someone you feel comfortable with or trust. While there is a chance you both might not be struggling with ED, it’s still important to ask the necessary questions and find science-backed answers to help shed more light on the scenario.
There’s nothing wrong or strange talking about erectile dysfunction, especially among your male friends. The days of men keeping their struggles to themselves, and never addressing critical health issues is a thing of the past, and it’s time that all men become more comfortable with themselves and their male peers and break down the social barriers that have been withholding them from living a happy and confident life.
We at Breathe Delay Spray believe that every man should experience the pleasures of longer-lasting sex. Our natural delay spray for men helps to desensitise the penis, allowing you to have better sex without the fear of premature ejaculation.
Not having to stress over ejaculating too early will help calm your nerves, giving you more opportunities to focus on your form and technique. Give yourself the ability to have more pleasurable intercourse without the pressure of sexual performance anxiety, and satisfy your partner in the best possible way you can.
