This information has been reprinted courtesy of the Erectile Dysfunction Information Center (www.erectile-dysfunction-treatment.org) for personal use only.

Your relationship: Impotence affects both sexual partners

At least one in every ten men has it. Some estimates say that up to 30 million American men have it. Up to 50 million Americans are in relationships that are suffering because of it.

"It" is impotence. Today, impotence is more accurately called "erectile dysfunction," or ED. When a man has erectile dysfunction (ED), he cannot achieve or maintain a firm erection.

It was not long ago that few people talked about ED. When they did, they often called it a "problem in the head." But that is wrong. Most ED has a physical cause. Diabetes and the side effects of prostate cancer can reduce or prevent blood flow and nerve impulses to the penis. So can pelvic injury and the side effects of some drugs. Only about 10% of impotence has a psychological cause.

Regardless of cause or age, ED can take a toll on a man, his sexual partner, and their relationship. The man may be embarrassed, anxious and depressed. He may develop insecurity about his masculinity. His sexual partner may feel rejected, unwanted, disappointed or angry at the loss of intimacy. The partner may even suspect the man is having an affair. The relationship can suffer.

Erectile dysfunction is difficult for both patients and their partners. Both of you need help and support-individually and as a couple.

If your partner has ED, you can learn more here about how to manage and improve your personal relationship and your sexual relationship.

This page revised March 2005

Copyright 2005 Erectile Dysfunction Information Center. All rights reserved. This site contains information about erectile dysfunction (impotence) for men with ED and their partners. Nothing in this site may be reproduced without written authorization from the Erectile Dysfunction Information Center.