Ignoring your health? Your sex life may pay the price

One common but rarely talked about health problem that affects men is erectile dysfunction (ED), meaning that you are unable to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. It's not something you will die from, but it can certainly make your life miserable.

It's more common than you think. One 2020 study found that 52% of men will have ED at some point in their lives and that the problem increases with age. Men between the ages of 40 and 70 have a 15 percent chance of ED becoming an ongoing problem.

What causes ED? Any health issue that reduces blood flow to the penis (which is needed for an erection), can cause ED. Many of the underlying health conditions that cause ED are preventable and treatable:

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Obesity

• Clogged or damaged blood vessels

• High cholesterol

When ED happens occasionally (and it does to all men), it's not a concern. However, when it happens regularly enough to cause frustration, stress and relationship problems, it's time to take action.

What can you do about ED? Your first step should be to talk to or visit your doctor for a health check-up. The doctor needs to take your blood pressure and do some simple blood and urine tests to see if you have any underlying conditions that may be causing the ED, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. If you already have a doctor, ask him/her about any drugs you take that might be causing the problem. If you do not have a regular doctor, ask family, friends and others you trust to recommend a doctor.

Don't let cost be a barrier to good health. Many area clinics accept Medicaid and Medicare and use a sliding fee scale (pay what you can based on your income) for people without insurance. Visit https://wwfhc.org/ for more on these clinics in the western Wayne County area.

How do you prevent ED? If you're young, or if you have not had ED, you can prevent it from being a part of your future with these healthy actions that you can control:

• Stop smoking.

• Increase your physical activity, even if it's just walking.

• Make healthier food choices.

• Reduce stress.

So, the next time you have a less than successful adventure in the bedroom, make a plan to see a doctor and take back control of your body and your life.