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If you are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED), you may experience many
emotions, including anger and resentment. While this is understandable, you
shouldn’t "shut out" your partner while dealing with the problem.
Your partner is also affected by your ED. Communication is essential to
successful diagnosis and treatment, and can help your partner understand how you
feel.
The best way to communicate with your partner is to talk openly about sex and
your relationship. Try to get past the initial embarrassment and awkwardness and
confront the problem head on. If you have difficulty discussing this topic, you
should seek counseling. A man who has difficulty sharing and resolving his
feelings about ED may make the problem worse.
If you are the partner of a man with ED, here are some tips on how to deal
with the situation:
- Discuss your feelings and let your partner know that you care.
- Stay positive. Don’t talk about blame; instead, talk about
what you and your partner want and need, and how to achieve it.
- Try alternative techniques to obtain sexual satisfaction by
finding other ways to obtain and receive pleasure without pressuring your
partner to "perform."
- Stick to the issue of ED. Focus on ways to solve that issue,
rather than on how it affects your relationship.
- Don’t be judgmental. Give your partner positive feedback so
that he’s willing to discuss his feelings.
- Remind him that there are many options for successful
treatment. If your partner does not succeed initially, encourage him to
continue to visit the doctor and explore other options.
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