Between 30 million and 50 million American men have erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that makes it difficult to get or maintain an erection long enough for sex.
Considering how common ED is, you might assume that most men seek treatment, but that isn’t the case. A survey by prescription discount service SingleCare found that 39% of affected men never talk to their doctors, choosing instead to suffer in silence.
At Advanced Southern Westchester Medical in Yonkers, New York, urologist Sherif S. El-Masry, MD, regularly diagnoses and treats ED. In this post, we aim to help men who are embarrassed to talk to their doctor understand why they shouldn’t delay ED treatment — and learn how you can get your sex life back.
Seeking treatment for a common medical condition seems like a no-brainer, but when it comes to sexual health, many men opt to stay quiet. There are several reasons for this, including:
While all of these reasons are valid, it’s important to know that there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Having ED doesn’t say anything about you as a person, but identifying the underlying cause is crucial to prevent it from worsening and to help you feel your best.
Even if you have reasons for not asking for help, there are many incentives to do so. For instance, ED is sometimes caused by underlying health issues — such as heart disease, diabetes, or a hormone imbalance. So, getting screened can bring those issues to light so you can get treated to protect your well-being and provide peace of mind.
Beyond that, many effective treatments are available, such as prescription medications to make it easier to get erections, talk therapy to address mental health issues like anxiety or stress, and lifestyle changes like exercise and a healthier diet.
Perhaps the best reason of all to get treatment is that it can help prevent worsening symptoms. ED rarely improves on its own; in fact, it often becomes more challenging to manage. The sooner you get screened, the sooner you can enjoy sex again, if that’s your goal.
Don’t let stigma or embarrassment about erectile dysfunction prevent you from asking for help. Dr. El-Masry provides a confidential, supportive environment and has helped dozens of men reclaim their confidence.
Schedule an appointment today by calling the office at 914-375-5700.
