Head in the sand

[Daveuk36]

I havn't been on here for a while, been busy at work, home life etc, in fact a whole number of excuses cropped up to explain my abscence. But the fact is, im just avoiding the issue that is my ED.
And I have to ask my self why? I tell myself that im cool, I have a good life otherwise and its not the be all and end all, but am i just trying to convince you guys or myself or both?
So am i the only one on here who is struggling with that first step, going to the docs and saying 'I cant get it up'? or are there other guys on here who are just trying to get their heads round the whole thing and decide where to go as well? And if there are, what's stopping you going?

Dave

[Paul-Mod]

Dave,
I think between your post and Zekeman's it is very clear that it is really one of the hardest things to do - initiate this conversation with your doc. It brings up a whole host of feelings; I'm not as young as i used to be; I'm 'less than' because of it; triggers feelings of shame; inadequacy; vulnerability; .....sheesh, it's complicated.

It's no wonder that ED is so under-reported. Many men simply withdraw from a sexual life and retreat into isolation. Why is it that we have built such fear into this whole topic? Even though %50 of men in their 50's struggle with ED, only %20 of those ever do anything about it.

Glad you're tackling this feeling. you and Zekeman need to compare notes! Share them with us when you do.
Paul

[3mtrship]

Hey, head in the sand. I just posted part of my ED story at viewtopic.php?f=3&t=149 Have a look and comment if you want to. You are not alone but recognizing your present state of mind is a nice first step to coming back from cancer.

Your old NORMAL is gone and you need to find a new one.

Jim

[Saffron]

Hey there.

I've had ED for at least 5 years (probably longer than that). It took me at least a year to muster up the courage to talk to a doctor about it. Even when I was seeing a urologist, I delayed the proper treatment, simply put, because I started going into serious denial. I would pretty much put myself in a fantasy world where I believed I was okay... That is until a woman would try to put moves on me. Then I would remember I had a problem, freak out, have a near mental breakdown, and finally see the doctor to progress my diagnosis and treatment. I probably went through the same cycle 3 or 4 times now (each cycle lasting a few months). I'm not sure why I lived like this, I guess it helped me feel like I was living a normal life.

It's pretty natural to try to just ignore it and wish it away, at least it was for me. I would say that's very important to fight these urges to keep it 100% secret. The longer you wait, the longer it takes to get your life back to REALLY being normal, and not just fantasizing about it.

[Flavio]

Strange but true: ED is still a huge taboo in our society.

Even though this is an extremely common medical problem that affects the lives of millions of men and their partners, most people prefer to stick their heads in the sand and do nothing about it.

Moreover, there's a great deal of ignorance on this subject. This is why websites such as this one are so important.

I'm a very cultivated guy and until a couple of years ago, I knew nothing about ED: I didn't even realise I had a health problem, so I did nothing about it. I had never heard of sexual performance anxiety and I thought Viagra was just a placebo.