Do I have ED? What You Should Know
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Do I have ED? What You Should Know

Updated: May 31, 2023


couple talking about if he had ED

John had always been a fairly confident guy. But when it came to relationships, he was always a little more reserved. He had never been great with women and he knew it. So when he finally met someone that he really liked, he was determined to make things work.


Things were going great between them for the first few months. But then John started to notice that he was having trouble getting keeping his tent pitched. He didn't want to say anything to her, but he could tell that she was starting to get frustrated with him.


He started to feel like a failure. Like maybe there was something wrong with him and that he would never be able to satisfy her sexually completely. He didn't know what to do and he is now worrying that he may be developing erectile dysfunction.


John wasn't 100% sure though, with so much stress coming in from his job, his sleep patterns have been off, and he has recently changed up his dieting and workouts. Was he developing ED, or could it be something else? Could it be psychological ED or he's not taking care of his health?


Do I have ED? Why am I not able to "rise to the occasion"... Let's take a look...


What is Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition that affects a man’s ability to "get it up", whether that is achieving or maintaining an erection. It can be caused by physical or psychological factors or a combination of both.


ED is not a natural part of aging, but it is more common in older men. It can be treated at any age. As we get older we naturally start to see a sexual decline.


ED is quite common here in the United States affecting over 30 million men.


What Types of Erectile Dysfunction Are There?

There are three main types of ED: psychogenic, reflexogenic, and nocturnal.

  • Psychogenic ED is caused by psychological factors such as performance anxiety or depression.

  • Physical factors such as obesity or diabetes can also cause ED. This is part of Reflexogenic ED, which is caused by damage to the nerves that control erections.

  • Nocturnal ED is caused by disturbed sleep patterns that prevent erections during sleep.

Treatment for ED depends on the underlying causes. Psychological factors can be treated with counseling or therapy. Physical factors can be treated with medications, surgery, or other medical interventions.

man relaxing knowing he doesn't have erectile dysfunction

How It Works

Arousal is a complicated process that involves many different parts of the body. For men, emotions, brain activity, hormones, nerves, blood vessels, and muscles all work together to create an erection.


When any of these systems are not functioning properly, it can lead to an inability to pitch your tent. By understanding how arousal works, you can better understand what may be causing any problems you may be experiencing.


While it's important to maintain physical health in order to enjoy a healthy sex life, it's also important to remember that mental health plays just as big of a role. Stress and other mental health concerns can cause or make "getting it up" harder.


What are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

Occasional, or periodic, sexual problems don't necessarily mean you have erectile dysfunction. However, if you're experiencing some of the following, then it could be an indication of ED.

  • Reduced desire for sex

  • Inability to maintain an erection

  • Inability to get an erection

  • Having erections that are not hard enough for penetration

  • Loss of erection after penetration

  • Unsatisfactory intercourse

man with erectile dysfunction

What Causes ED

While ED can occur at any age, it is most common in men over the age of 40. Many health conditions can lead to ED, so it's important to have these treated and controlled.

Some of the most common include:

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • Coronary artery disease

  • High blood pressure

  • Sleep apnea

  • Trauma to the pelvis such as surgery or radiation

  • Medications after surgery

  • Unhealthy diet

  • Smoking and vaping

  • Dehydration

  • Excessive alcohol

  • Peyronie's desires

In addition to these, there are psychological or emotional problems, as well as your nervous system that can affect your erections. You may develop ED if you have one or more of the following:

  • Fear of sexual failure

  • anxiety

  • Depression

  • Low self-esteem

  • Stress about sexual performance or in life in general

Do I have ED

ED can sometimes be confused with other sexual performance difficulties. Some of which can sometimes happen at the same time as ED. Which makes things even more complicated for those trying to figure it out.


Some of those things include:

  1. Low libido

  2. Premature ejaculation

  3. Delayed ejaculation

  4. Anorgasmia

If you’re asking yourself “How do I know if I have ED”, start by looking at what your experiencing and the symptoms that we spoke about earlier. If you can rule out these 4 complications and you’re experiencing those symptoms, it's most likely you have some form of ED or you are starting to develop it.


It is at this point that a lifestyle change needs to be made in order to combat which form of ED you may have and turn your sexual health around. Let's talk about treating ED.


Treating ED & Sexual Performance Issues

In order to properly treat ED and other types of sexual performance issues, you'll need to find what it is that is causing it. Whether that is one or multiple things.

zucchinis representing erections

Finding the root cause can be hard to pin down. In some cases, it may be the result of a physical condition, such as obesity or diabetes. In others, it may be the result of psychological factors, such as anxiety or depression. And in still others, it may be a combination of both.


Regardless of the cause, treating ED and sexual performance issues starts with finding the root cause. Once the root cause has been identified, various treatment options and lifestyle changes can be explored in order to treat it.


Improving Sexual Performance With The Phoenix

There are dozens of clinical studies on the efficacy of Li-ESWT and it has become the preferred way to combat performance issues in the bedroom.


The Phoenix uses the same strength low-intensity shock waves (Li-ESWT) that is offered at men’s health clinics to improve sexual performance and allow men to "rise for the occasion" once again. The device helps prevent the natural decline in sexual performance, improves sex, and makes it easier to "get it up".


Using The Phoenix has become a popular choice and it is recommended by both experts and doctors alike. This is mainly due to how effective it is and the many benefits that come along with it.

  • Improves bedroom performance

  • Has a 94% success rate

  • Is a100% at-home treatment

  • No prescription needed

  • A fraction of the cost of going to the clinic

the phoenix acoustic wave therapy device for ED

In addition, the Phoenix is non-invasive and easy to use, making it a convenient option for men who are looking to "get it up" once again.


The many reviews of the Phoenix are promising and it's our number one choice!


It's important to remember though that treating sexual performance issues isn't as simple as just taking a pill or buying the latest technology for treatments. Treating it is an ongoing process that also involves us making big lifestyle changes.


Learn About Yourself, Sexual Performance, & ED

If you are unsure if you have a form of ED or not, start by learning about erections and how your body works. From there, take some time to learn about sexual performance issues, what causes them, and what the symptoms are.


From here you can start to narrow down if you have something else going on or if it's a form of ED. If you do have ED, it's time to start making better lifestyle choices to help improve your health and utilize the best treatments alongside it.


Leave a comment down below if you have questions about anything we discussed in this article. BDE Style is a community and together we can help each other learn from our experiences.

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