The Effect of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) on Partners & Spouses
Erectile dysfunction is a condition that doesn’t just affect the man, but also the person’s partner. In addition to all of the negative feelings that he may have about his condition, partners can also experience through profoundly unpleasant feelings.
Understanding the effects that erectile dysfunction can have on a romantic partner makes it all the more clear what a serious condition that it can be in terms of relationship stability.
Statistics
The statistics on erectile dysfunction might surprise you. Many believe that less than half of men are likely to experience erectile dysfunction, but on the contrary, there are far more than 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 that experience the condition.
Over 140 million men worldwide experience some form of erectile dysfunction over the course of their lives.
Doubt
When erectile dysfunction becomes an apparent issue, it is natural for a partner or spouse to feel unsure about what implications may be. One of the most common effects of the ambiguous origin of erectile dysfunction is for a partner to doubt himself or herself. Even partners who have high self-esteem can suddenly feel inadequate if they believe that they are unable to sexually stimulate their partner for reasons that are beyond their control.
Questioning
In order to alleviate the understandable amount of uncertainty that surrounds many cases of erectile dysfunction, many men or women will feel compelled to begin asking their partner questions about what they believe could be the cause of the condition. While these questions might not be meant to offend the man, it can create much tension in the relationship when he is unable to give a satisfying answer due to not completely knowing the cause himself.
Suspicion
After being unable to get a satisfying answer about the cause of their partner's erectile dysfunction through direct questioning, a spouse may become suspicious about the fidelity of their partner. Even in a relationship that is built upon trust, the combination of anxiety and confusion can result in a certain level of uncertainty about the faithfulness of the relationship. A partner may begin to believe that the man’s inability to sustain an erection may be due to the fact that he is being sexually satisfied by another person.
Anxiety
When the self-doubt, confusion and questions about fidelity reach a high point, it is natural for a very real sense of fear to develop. At a loss for answers and unsure about what the best course of action to take might be, anxiety can swell up in a partner’s heart very quickly. Even if he or she may not be completely aware of it at first, a low-boiling anxiety can begin to color the manner in which they interact with other things and people throughout the day. It may not be severe enough to cause a panic attack, but it can still be very unpleasant all the same.
Depression
In addition to an uncomfortable amount of anxiety, inexplicable erectile dysfunction in a person’s partner can cause a person to become depressed. The individual may begin to lose the amount of enthusiasm that they had for the relationship in the past. Even if he or she is normally very upbeat, feeling unable to excite their partner can put a very big damper on their mood and overall perspective on other aspects of life.
Overcompensation
Many partners may be prone to misunderstanding erectile dysfunction as a sign that they simply are trying hard enough. Some individuals may attempt to be even more promiscuous and sexually forward with their partner than usual, and unfortunately, this can actually put the man under a level of pressure that worsens the problem instead of helping it.
Conclusion
It is clear to see that the negative effects of erectile dysfunction affect more than just the man who suffers from it directly. A relationship thrives on effective communication and trust, and unfortunately, erectile dysfunction can be a very real challenge to couples that have anything less than the most effective, honest and ego-free communication skills.
In addition to the treatments for erectile dysfunction on a physical level, mutual emotional support is critical for preventing the condition from negatively affecting both partners.