Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition affecting one’s ability to either achieve or maintain an erection during intercourse.
It’s tempting to ignore ED in hopes that it resolves itself, but there are potential consequences if ED is left untreated.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction
ED is much more common than you might realize. One professor from the UNC School of Medicine estimates that as many as 120 million people in the United States live with some form of erectile dysfunction.
Despite how common it is, many people avoid talking about ED out of embarrassment. Unfortunately, this has bred a culture of ignorance around the subject, with many people not understanding that ED isn’t the same for everyone; instead, it varies from case to case in both severity and underlying causes.
For some individuals, ED is an intermittent issue. But for others, it’s a chronic problem.
The Risks of Ignoring Erectile Dysfunction
If you’re experiencing ED, there are numerous potential risks associated with ignoring it.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of a much more serious underlying health issue, such as:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
If ED is a symptom of a critical health condition, ignoring it and leaving it untreated could have long-term consequences.
Psychological Impact
Not being able to maintain an erection can significantly impact your psyche, leading to anxiety, stress, depression, and low self-esteem.
Relationship Strain
ED can strain relationships because a lack of sexual intimacy can result in tension between partners. These strains can lead to emotional distance or even breakups.
Lifestyle Complications
Erectile dysfunction can be the result of lifestyle choices, including:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption
If your lifestyle is causing ED, then continuing to ignore it could mean ignoring important areas of your life that need to be addressed.
Worsening Symptoms
Without prompt treatment, the symptoms of ED can get worse over time. In some cases, they could lead to the complete inability to achieve an erection.
Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Recognizing and treating ED is important. Some conventional treatments are available, such as Viagra and Cialis, but these medications may not be suitable for everyone.
Regenerative medicine is a promising treatment option for erectile dysfunction. This medical approach, in the form of stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma therapy, can help repair damaged blood vessels and nerves in the penis, allowing for improved blood flow and restoring erectile function.
Erectile Dysfunction Is About More than Just Sex
Erectile dysfunction is not just about the ability to have sex; instead, it’s about your overall health and well-being. By ignoring ED, you risk playing with uncertain consequences. Addressing ED, on the other hand, can help you identify and treat underlying health issues, allowing you to achieve a better quality of life.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine also known as IV Ozone Therapy. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.