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When the topic of erectile dysfunction comes to mind, many men assume the diagnosis is permanent.
While this may be true in certain scenarios, it’s not always the case.
Men can be suffering from erection-less moments for months; however, they may be able to get their erection back following a few positive lifestyle modifications. This phenomenon is referred to as temporary erectile dysfunction.
If you’re currently struggling with this sexual health problem, it’s best to be more informed about it so you can take proper action. Though the symptoms may resemble permanent ED, it’s important to recognize the fact that it may require different treatment approaches.
This article will go into temporary erectile dysfunction in more detail, as well as the causes, diagnoses, and treatment plans of this sexual dysfunction.
What Is Temporary Erectile Dysfunction?
When you have had an ongoing bout of erectile dysfunction, but have since recovered from it, such a condition during that point in time is known as temporary erectile dysfunction.
Just like permanent erectile dysfunction, this condition can stem from both physiological and chronic health factors. The only difference is that temporary ED is not a condition that will last a lifetime or will require serious medical intervention.
Temporary erectile dysfunction can be reversed with proper lifestyle changes, but it can still be incredibly debilitating to live with.
The symptoms of temporary ED and permanent ED are largely the same, namely, the inability to get or stay erect for an extended amount of time.
Furthermore, another separation of temporary ED with permanent ED is the group affected by it. If individuals who are healthy and young experience erectile difficulties for more than 50% of the time, they may also be diagnosed with temporary erectile dysfunction.
While the name may denote that this condition will pass, it can become a more serious and even permanent condition if you fail to treat it properly. As such, consult with a medical professional to get proper treatment plans.
Types of Temporary Erectile Dysfunction and Their Causes
There are two main types of temporary erectile dysfunction. These are:
- Temporary ED
- Situational ED
Temporary ED is a condition that’s marked by an ongoing bout of erectile difficulties.
This condition tends to originate from poor lifestyle choices, like smoking, drinking, and binge eating. These poor habits can impair blood flow to the penis, causing difficulties activating the mechanisms to get an erection.
However, stopping these habits can reverse ED and restore erectile function once again.
On the other hand, situational ED is largely psychogenic and happens only under certain conditions.
An example of situational ED in action is when you’re anxious about a future sexual encounter. This, in turn, causes you to have performance anxiety and can make you remain flaccid even during an aroused state.
This type of ED may occur in different people and under different circumstances, making it fairly sporadic in nature. Besides that, situational ED can also occur if your mental state isn’t in the right place, such as when you’re highly stressed or if you’re using certain vices.
Just like temporary ED, situational erectile dysfunction can be reversed with lifestyle changes. However, the best way to reverse it is by treating the source of the problem by undergoing counseling and sexual therapy.
Diagnosing Temporary Erectile Dysfunction
A urologist will perform a thorough examination to determine whether a patient has temporary erectile dysfunction or not. The testing procedure doesn’t differ much from diagnosing erectile dysfunction cases that are longer-lasting.
The practicing urologist will first review your past medical and sexual history. They’ll also answer questions and concerns the patient may raise. Once they’ve gathered the data, they’ll proceed to the next stage of diagnosing your condition, the testing.
The test your doctor will prescribe will vary depending on your responses. In most cases, a blood test will be administered to look for signs of diabetes and underlying health conditions. Then, more specific measures may be applied at the doctor’s discretion, such as a RigiScan and penile ultrasound.
A key difference in the testing between permanent and temporary ED is the mental health evaluation. Emotional distress is fairly common in patients with temporary ED and can lead to negative erectile outcomes, so having this evaluation can help doctors get to the root of the mental health-related side effects and administer treatment appropriately.
Treatment for Temporary Erectile Dysfunction
To effectively treat erectile dysfunction, you’ll need to identify what caused it in the first place. Depending on the source, these ED treatment approaches can vary widely.
For instance, if lifestyle choices are to blame for your erectile dysfunction, your doctor will most likely recommend a course of lifestyle factors. This may include:
- Eating a balanced and healthy diet
- Losing weight (for overweight and obese patients)
- Sleeping the recommended 7 hours a night
- Stopping excessive alcohol consumption
- Reducing sources of chronic stress
- Treating psychological factors
Furthermore, many clinics can administer ED treatment that can quickly improve blood flow to your blood vessels and penis through erectile dysfunction medication. This includes RestoreWave therapy, ED therapy, and other customized treatment programs.
Get Medical Assistance with the Top Male Health Clinic in St. Louis, Missouri, Paramount Men’s Medical Center
Temporary erectile dysfunction is a debilitating condition that can bring your sex life to a grinding halt. As frustrating as it is, you can overcome this sexual difficulty.
If you want to keep your sexual health in a good state, we highly urge you to follow the tips above to treat temporary erectile dysfunction.
If you want to closely monitor your sexual health and leave it in the hands of experts, get in touch with the doctors at Paramount Men’s Medical Center in St. Louis for medical assistance.
These licensed medical professionals provide free consultations and offer treatment plans for all types of male health needs, from ED therapy and hormone therapy to premature ejaculation treatment and RestoreWave treatment.
Schedule a free consultation with our clinic today.
