It's normal to feel embarrassed or anxious about discussing impotence.
But a new study revealed that one in five men would rather end their relationship than talk about issues such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or loss of sexual desire.
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The study, which included 8,000 adults, found that one in four men suffered from these problems.
This has not only affected relationships, with 21% choosing to break up with their partner rather than opening up to them, and one in four of those suffering claim it has made them feel depressed.
Younger men, aged 25-34, are the most likely (33%) to end a relationship rather than talk to their partners, followed by Gen Z males (32%).
It was found that almost half (45%) of those who suffered from premature ejaculation did not talk about their concerns to anyone, along with 43% of men who experienced a decrease in sexual desire and 34% of those who suffered from erectile dysfunction.
Chronic disease campaigner Misha Moinerad, who works with Bupa, which commissioned the research, said: “Talking about impotence is very embarrassing, and there is a real stigma attached to erection problems in men.
“As someone with Crohn's disease and an ostomy, I'm well-versed in embarrassing topics, but in my early 20s I experienced problems with my sexual function, which left me feeling incredibly isolated and depressed.
“I couldn't think about work or focus on relationships, and I was worried it would affect my fertility which made me feel even more vulnerable.
“Eventually, I spoke to a healthcare professional and he gave me my life back.
“I cannot stress the importance of seeking help and talking about what you are going through. Don't keep it to yourself as it will only make things worse.”
The study found that of those who had a sexual problem, 14% suffered from premature ejaculation, 29% reported loss of sexual desire and 13% reported erectile dysfunction.
Nearly four in 10 blamed their problems on poor mental health (38%), while 36% put it down to stress at work.
Others felt they were affected by health conditions (29 percent), body image issues (27 percent), poor diet (21 percent), and even having children (17 percent).
But this left 33 percent feeling anxious, 28 percent frustrated, and the same percentage embarrassed.
Nearly one in five felt guilty (18%), and 15% admitted this had led to arguments with their partner.
Worryingly, nearly a third of men suffering from impotence admitted to turning to the internet or dark web to buy treatments to avoid embarrassment or judgement.
Dr James Stephenson, Senior Practitioner at Bupa Health Clinics, said: “It is no surprise that male impotence is currently a silent crisis.
“Outdated perceptions of how men should behave have led to a reluctance to speak up when they face problems with their health, especially with regard to their sexual function.
“As a result, it has an impact not only on their physical health, but on their mental health as well.
“We must do more to encourage men to talk to others about what they are going through and to seek help when they need it.”
What are the physical causes of erectile dysfunction?
There are four main types of physical conditions that can cause impotence in men:
- Vascular disorders, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, affect blood flow to the penis and cause erectile dysfunction.
- Neurological conditions, which affect the nerves and include disorders such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, are also to blame.
- A hormonal disorder, which affects your hormones, is another example of a physical problem that can lead to impotence.
- An anatomical condition is what affects the tissues or structure of the penis and is the fourth physical cause. Aging is also commonly associated with impotence.
Dr. James Stevenson's advice for those suffering from erection problems
Be open and honest
Many people who suffer from sexual dysfunction have never talked about it and it can have a real impact on their mental health.
Whether you talk to your partner, friend, or healthcare professional, it may help to ease the isolation you may be feeling, and you may find that they have gone through something similar themselves.
Communication is key because keeping it to yourself will only make you feel worse.
Reconnect with your partner
Communicating with your partner without the pressure of the goal of having penetrative sex can help restart your relationship.
You can be intimate in many other ways, such as cuddling, kissing and massaging, and explore new ways of connecting whether through shared hobbies, meaningful conversations or simply spending quality time together as a couple.
It's really important to take things slowly until you feel comfortable again.
Make lifestyle changes
Erectile dysfunction problems can be linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and drinking too much alcohol. So, making changes to your lifestyle can help you.
Make sure you stop smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.
Try to exercise for 150 minutes a week, including a combination of high-intensity and lower-intensity exercises. This will help you lose weight if you are overweight.
Cut saturated fats from your diet and include fish, lean proteins such as chicken, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and olives. oil.
Also make sure to reduce any stress you are under.
Ask for support
If you make changes to your lifestyle and it doesn't help, it's really important to see Doctor who You will be able to investigate the root cause of the problem.
They will be able to test for any underlying health conditions and suggest methods and treatments to help manage any erection problems.
There is also a range of support available for any mental health condition you suffer as a result of gender dysphoria.
