There are a number of different reasons why men develop erectile dysfunction (ED).
But can you permanently cure ED? It depends on what exactly is causing it.
In this blog, we explain how you might be able to permanently cure your ED if you experience it in relation to:
- Lifestyle factors
- Stress or anxiety
- A medication side effect
- An underlying health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Some minor injuries
Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, being overweight, drinking alcohol and drug use can lead to ED. So, you may be able to cure your ED by making changes in these areas.
Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet can help you reverse ED. Try and stop smoking, drinking or taking drugs, if you believe this to be the cause.
Stress or Anxiety
Getting an erection and enjoying sex depends a lot upon different chemicals in your body being in sync. So stress and anxiety can reduce your libido and cause ED.
Many men suffer from performance anxiety, which is a specific type of anxiety relating to sex. It can be caused by worries surrounding pregnancy, sexual health, and satisfying your partner. Poor body-image and low-self esteem can also play a part.
Whatever the cause of your stress or anxiety, a counsellor, sex therapist or cognitive behavioural therapist, should be able to help you overcome this.
You may also find that you can make small changes to reduce your stress or anxiety. You can try self-help methods related to cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness or meditation.
Medication Side Effects
Every medication has potential side effects. For some, ED can be one of them. This is especially common in medications designed to reduce blood pressure, as adequate blood flow is required to maintain an erection.
If you’re experiencing ED as a side effect of medication, you should speak to the prescribing doctor. They might be able to offer you an alternative. When you stop taking the drug, your sexual function should return to normal within a few days.
Underlying Medical Conditions
The risk of ED increases with age, as do underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
High blood pressure can interfere with the blood supply to your penis, and diabetes can affect the nerves you need to get aroused. Depending on the condition and how far along you are, you may be able to reverse or get rid of ED associated with these conditions.
The best option is to speak to your doctor for specific advice. They may tell you to make lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and more exercise, to increase your chances of total recovery.
A GP might also prescribe you with ED medication if you have underlying health conditions that may cause it.
Minor Injury
Injury can come in many forms. A common cause of ED is excessive cycling.
Nerves and blood vessels important for an erection run through the perineum (between the testicles and anus). And cycling can put prolonged pressure on the perineum, which might result in damage.
This damage may be minor and people often recover after finding a better bicycle saddle, taking more frequent breaks from cycling or reducing their cycling altogether.
If you think cycling or any other injury is the cause of your ED, it may be worth speaking to a doctor to find out your chances of natural recovery or if there’s anything else you can do to make recovery more likely.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on July 12, 2018. It has been updated for accuracy, readability and comprehensiveness.
