Intimate Relations After ED Diagnosis

An erectile dysfunction condition, or ED, can negatively impact your intimate relations. Your sexual life becomes different from what it used to be.

You may wonder if there’s a specific erectile dysfunction test or if erectile dysfunction shame exists, and can a man still ejaculate with erectile dysfunction?

Sexual intimacy with a partner is a gift, and when we treat erectile dysfunction or ED, we also focus on how to improve intimacy in a relationship.

Intimate Relations After ED Diagnosis

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can seriously affect a couple’s sexual activity and damage intimacy. The changes to your sex life are often disappointing and frustrating for both partners. 

Erectile Dysfunction Test

At OHN, we know the good things are hard, which means developing a treatment plan for you for longer, stronger erections. 

Some people are wary of approaching specialists about their sexual health. We understand that, so we offer an ED self-assessment test as your first step to take. It’s confidential, risk-free, and at no charge.

Erectile Dysfunction Shame

Dealing with ED often means changing how you have sex, but an ED diagnosis doesn’t have to change who you are inside. You should also know that any changes don’t have to be permanent, and improving intimacy in a relationship makes sex better.

Talk to a Healthcare Provider About Erectile Dysfunction and Age

Here’s an eye-opening statistic: 50% of men in their 50s have experienced some form of ED.

It may be due to a medical condition or a medication taken for a condition that can increase the problems of getting an erection and keeping it long enough for satisfying sex. 

You need to know that effective ED treatment options exist, and we offer eight strategies tailored to your individual needs.

What is Sexual Intimacy

When we are lucky enough to discover sexual intimacy with a loved one, it becomes a valuable part of our relationship. But that closeness and emotional connection must be supported and maintained, and ‘making love’ requires trust and the ability to be vulnerable.

Intimacy Defined in Other Ways

Sexual intercourse involves physical foreplay and physical penetration, but that’s not the only form of intimacy that partners can share.

Closeness in a relationship includes emotional and spiritual intimacy, and when a couple gets intimate in other areas besides sex, their relationship becomes more fulfilling. 

How to Improve Intimacy in a Relationship

An ED diagnosis can feel devastating, but with an open mind, you can change your relationship for the better, and that means improving intimacy with your partner. Here are the steps you can take together.

Share Your Feelings

You can tell your partner or show them by your actions how much you appreciate and love them. Don’t assume they already know how you feel because everybody benefits from being told they are loved and appreciated.

Discuss ED Openly

It’s natural for a person with ED to avoid sex altogether. They may feel shame and blame themselves, but their partner may mistakenly turn the blame on themselves. 

The more you avoid talking about ED, the bigger the problem becomes, and dealing effectively with ED means being open with your partner.

Yes, it can be difficult, but discussing ED decreases negativity between partners, and when you talk about other ways of enjoying sex and intimacy, it can reduce performance anxieties.

Make Time for Rediscovery

Sexual penetration can become the end goal in a long-term relationship, and ED takes the joy out of the game.

If that situation is happening to you, take time out to rediscover each other. You’ll probably find excitement in revisiting what you both like or what has changed that is exciting now—kissing, experimenting, laughing, and caressing put a new focus on foreplay and renewed intimacy.

Relax for Better Sex

Any source of stress can make sex more complicated, and our emotional and psychological worries can worsen the physical problems of ED, such as impairing circulation. 

Experiencing ED means increased stress. Here are four steps to reduce stress now:

1. Take a moment and write down what’s worrying you the most.
2. Can you change or eliminate any worries?
3. Can you decrease the tension and stress in your life?
4. Next, make it a habit to sit quietly, relax, and focus on your breathing for 10 minutes a few times each week.

More Effective Ways to Relax and Decrease Stress

You may think this sounds obvious, but these are simple and effective ways to decrease your daily stresses and feel more relaxed in life:

• Take a walk or go for a swim at the community centre.
• Practice meditation a few times a week.
• Listen to music.
• Call a friend and catch up on things.
• Go on a vacation with your partner, even a quick weekend away.

Relaxing and focusing more on a stress-free life can help you enjoy sex more while treating ED, and here’s another question that many people have about sex and ED.

Can a Man Still Ejaculate With Erectile Dysfunction?

While ED usually affects the longevity and firmness of erections, you can still experience orgasm during sex, even with ED.

Sometimes, the most incredible sexual pleasure can happen without sexual penetration. Get adventurous and emphasize the fun during sex!

That can mean manual or oral stimulation. Try mutual masturbation with your partner to relearn what you like or what gives you the most enjoyment now. Sex toys like vibrators or sexy movies can be equally stimulating. Remember: sex doesn’t need to be limited to the bedroom!

Create Opportunities

Both partners should be free to initiate intimacy and make time to focus on each other without thinking about kids, work, or other commitments. Some couples find success in planning an evening out or a day or weekend to be alone.

Improve Your Sexual Intimacy When Treating ED

Erectile dysfunction at any age can threaten your most precious connections, but you can improve intimacy in a relationship through tough challenges like this.

Our sexual health specialists include our ED psychologist to treat erectile dysfunction shame in a confidential setting, and our free online erectile dysfunction test is available 24/7. 

At OHN, We Get You There. Contact us today!