Articles

Debunking Common ED Myths

ED (or erectile dysfunction) is a common condition that affects many men, regardless of their and demographics and is mainly associated with an inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection long enough to have sex. The common nature of this condition has led to the development of multiple types of treatments that are available on the market as well as a high number of specialists that provide professional advice related to this topic. 

However, due to the discrete nature of the condition, there are many myths and misconceptions related to the condition, especially with the amount of information that is available online. 

To help you identify the right information about the condition and avoid any misleading myths and misconceptions, read the following myth-busting article from Pharmica.

Myth 1 –  ED Only Occurs In Older Men:

It is a common misconception that ED is a condition that only occurs in older men. In reality, however, ED can occur in men as early as in their 20s all the way to the age of 70 and older.

This myth potentially occurred due to the fact ED does have a higher prevalence in older men, supported by research that indeed confirms that the risks of the condition occurring are higher as we age. However, the condition is still common among younger men, especially supported by recent research that confirms that lifestyle factors like drinking and smoking habits, as well as stress, obesity and lack of exercise directly contribute to the risks of ED occurring. 

Myth 2 – All ED Treatments Are Identical:

Even though some ED treatments have some common key ingredients, they mainly differ in their method of application. Clinically proven, safe and effective erectile dysfunction treatments are usually categorised as PDE-5 inhibitors which is an enzyme that is responsible for reducing the flow of blood to the intended destination, causing the erection to subside. Therefore, having the PDE-5 enzyme in the body makes achieving erection harder for some men and taking the ED treatments can eliminate that obstacle from the equation.

In terms of the key differences between the treatments, they vary in the activation and effect times. For example, one of the most common ED treatments, Viagra, usually takes up to 60 minutes to start its effects and the effects usually last up to 6 hours in total. Other treatments like Cialis, which is also a PDE-5 inhibitor, can start its effects within 30 minutes but with a much longer duration of up to 36 hours.

Myth 3 – ED Only Occurs Due To Psychological Reasons:

It is also commonly believed that ED could occur due to mental or psychological reasons like performance anxiety, stress and depression. While those factors can contribute to the higher risks of experiencing ED, physical reasons can also be the key contributing factors to the risks of ED. For example, the common physical conditions that could cause ED include having heart health issues with high blood pressure, sugar or cholesterol levels. Furthermore, taking some specific medications like antidepressants could also contribute to developing ED.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that the cause of ED is identified promptly. It could be beneficial to discuss the potential concerns with a doctor to rule out the potential ED contributing factors.

Myth 4 – ED Is Not Related To Lifestyle:

This misconception is untrue – the risks of developing ED directly correlate with one’s lifestyle where excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking, poor diet and exercise routine can directly increase the risks of developing ED condition. One of the primary reasons for that is heart health which can be deteriorated by bad habits like smoking and drinking, resulting in poor blood flow and more narrow blood vessels, consequently affecting the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. 

Implementing lifestyle changes like cutting down on negative habits and establishing a consistent and healthy diet, as well as an exercise routine, can assist with improving heart health and reducing the impact of ED while also encouraging a more healthy lifestyle in general.

An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to an increased incidence of ED. Excessive smoking, alcohol 

Myth 5 – Natural ED Treatments Are Better: 

It is commonly believed that consuming natural ED treatments like ginseng, pomegranate and L-arginine can assist with curing ED. These claims do not have a sufficient amount of research behind them and could potentially cause unwanted side effects. 

Therefore, it is important to ensure that only proven and safe ED treatments are taken.

Myth 6 – If ED Treatment Is Not Effective The First time, It Will Not Work At All:

ED treatments are proven to be effective and reliable but to achieve that, some factors need to be considered. 

One of them is the consumption of alcohol or antidepressants which can negatively affect the ability of ED treatments to work. Furthermore, sexual stimulation and arousal are necessary for ED treatment to work.

Consulting with a pharmacist could be a beneficial way of ensuring that the best possible results are achieved from taking ED treatments.

Back to top button