In recent years, more people are seeking professional advice on erectile dysfunction in Singapore. However, it’s still pretty much a taboo subject, leading to individuals being wrongly informed about this condition. Hence, there are still myths surrounding erectile dysfunction in Singapore.
Believing these myths can result in poor decision-making and may lead to unwelcome repercussions. In this article, we debunk five myths that some people in Singapore believe about erectile dysfunction.
What is erectile dysfunction and what causes it?
Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to get or sustain an erection. It’s a condition that affects men of various ages and can be due to a variety of reasons.
Men may occasionally face difficulties in getting an erection and that’s not necessarily a cause for concern. However, if it occurs frequently, it’s a sign that you may have the condition.
There are actually many factors that can cause erectile dysfunction. Some of the common causes are:
| Psychological aspects | – Stress – Anxiety – Depression – Low self-esteem – Fear of sexual failure |
| Chronic illnesses | – Diabetes – High blood pressure – High cholesterol – Heart disease – Nerve disease or damage – Multiple sclerosis – Atherosclerosis |
| Lifestyle choices | – Smoking – Excessive alcohol intake – Lack of exercise – Obesity |
5 misconceptions that people in Singapore have about erectile dysfunction
With that, let’s set the record straight and debunk five common myths that people in Singapore believe about erectile dysfunction.
Myth 1: I have trouble getting or maintaining an erection because I’m not attracted to my partner.
The truth is, even if you and your partner have been together for a long time and the relationship is starting to seem dull, having trouble getting or maintaining an erection doesn’t mean that you’re no longer attracted to him/her. In fact, there are lots of couples that continue to enjoy good sex life even in the later part of their life.
While a lack of attraction to your partner could be a possible cause, chances are that other factors are affecting and causing the erectile dysfunction. Some of these factors include heart problems, diabetes, stress, anxiety and depression.
Don’t let erectile dysfunction harm your relationship. Consulting a doctor and getting the right treatment can help to get you back on track and improve your sexual life with your partner.
Myth 2: Having erectile dysfunction is just part of growing old and there’s nothing I can do about it.
While it’s true that erectile dysfunction is generally more common among older men, this doesn’t mean that you should not do something about it and simply accept it as part of growing older.
The fact is that older men can get an erection. However, they may require more stimulation and may take longer to get an erection as compared to when they were younger.
Thus, having difficulty in getting and maintaining an erection isn’t necessarily a normal part of growing old.
So, don’t brush it off as a sign of growing old, because erectile dysfunction can be treated. If you think you might have the condition, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor to talk about it.
With the MyDoc app, you can talk to a doctor from Dr Tan & Partners (DTAP) anytime, anywhere regarding erectile dysfunction and any other sexual health issues and book a clinic appointment to visit the doctor.
Myth 3: Erectile dysfunction only affects older men. I won’t suffer from it as I’m still young.
Erectile dysfunction can happen at any age.
Although there’s a higher prevalence of older men suffering from the condition, the fact is that younger men are not immune to it either. In fact, as more patients seek treatment to deal with erectile dysfunction, doctors in Singapore noted that a large proportion of the group is actually under the age of 40.
And age is usually less of a factor than other causes such as underlying medical conditions and lifestyle choices.
While older men tend to suffer from erectile dysfunction because of underlying health issues, younger men are more likely to suffer from it due to stress from work and the pressure of building a family.
This is on top of diseases common in urban society such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. These diseases were more common among older men, but are now affecting more and more younger men as well.
Thus, you can suffer from erectile dysfunction regardless of your age.
Feeling stressed? Here are some things you can do to manage it.
Myth 4: Having erectile dysfunction just means that there’s something wrong with my penis.
Having erectile dysfunction may not only mean that there’s something wrong with your penis. It can actually be a sign that you may be having other underlying health conditions as well.
In fact, suffering from erectile dysfunction may be the first sign that you also have diabetes or coronary artery disease. Research has found that men with erectile dysfunction have a 59 percent higher risk of developing coronary heart disease than men without the condition.
This is because the common causes of erectile dysfunction are often vascular-related problems that cause obstruction of the blood flow to different parts of the body, including the penis.
Other causes of erectile dysfunction are hormonal factors such as low testosterone and thyroid disease, as well as trauma or injury to the brain and spinal cord. It can also be due to psychological aspects such as anxiety, depression and stress.
Hence, if you have been experiencing difficulties in getting and maintaining an erection for some time, it’s recommended that you consult a doctor. That way, the doctor will be able to screen for other possible underlying diseases and provide the right treatment early.
Learn more about why regular health check-ups are essential for your health.
Myth 5: Erectile dysfunction can only be treated with pills.
In Singapore, Viagra is probably the most common treatment for erectile dysfunction that people know of.
But did you know that other than Viagra, there are also other treatment options available for erectile dysfunction in Singapore? The treatment to be used will depend on each individual’s condition.
This includes incorporating lifestyle changes such as:
- Increasing physical activity
- Cutting out smoking to help regain sexual function
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet
- Losing weight
- Minimising stress
If an underlying health problem causes your erectile dysfunction, medication may be given to treat the condition.
Other treatment alternatives include electro shockwave therapy and injections that help to increase blood flow in the penis.
On the other hand, if the condition is due to psychological factors, psychotherapy may be used. With the help of your partner, techniques that help to manage and reduce anxiety will be taught during the sessions.
If needed, the doctor may also recommend surgery options such as penile implants and vascular surgery to repair blocked arteries.
Whichever the cause of the erectile dysfunction, one thing to note is that you should not self-treat with herbal remedies or supplements without consulting a doctor.
Firstly, they may contain harmful ingredients that may affect your health. Secondly, they may not be suitable to be taken together with other medications that you may currently be taking. Thus, it’s best to seek professional help and consult your doctor before taking any herbal remedies or supplements.
Not only can erectile dysfunction affect your confidence and mental health, it can also affect your relationship with your partner. However, the good news is that erectile dysfunction can be treated.
Don’t be afraid to seek professional advice from your doctor and take control of your health today.
Get personal medical advice about erectile dysfunction anytime, anywhere by chatting with doctors from DTAP on the MyDoc app. To get started, all you have to do is to download the MyDoc app and register through this link.
