Jesse Kahn, LCSW-R, CST, reminds partners, “Tread mindfully, but dont avoid it.”
Partners should gently encourage their loved one to open up and offer space when needed.
Professional support, likesex therapyor other counseling for individuals and/or partners, could be helpful and is completely normal.
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Learning About Erectile Dysfunction
To be a supportive partner, it’s important to get educated.
Trans peoplemight experience erection changes when taking hormone replacement therapies or after gender-affirming surgeries.
All of these concerns can be explored with a doctor.
Treatment of these medical conditions or adjustments to current approaches in treatment could help.
Kahn explains that feelings of shame, guilt, or low self-esteem, and anxiety can also cause ED.
For instance, new life eventssuch as childbirth and parenthoodcan be a cause.
But never assume that this is the cause without communication.
It’s most important to talk openly about interpersonal dynamics so they can be addressed.
If an erection is something that’s important sexually for partners, reliable interventions could make it happen.
Stress reduction, both related and unrelated to sex, can help promote an erection.
Partners should respect any decisions to decline intervention and instead consider how to connect in new ways.
Kahn says, “A sex therapist can help you brainstorm some options.”
Sex doesnt have to include everyones body and everyonesor anyonesgenitals.
Explore what being sexual can look like for you.
See these as funnot dirty!
Find out what works for you and your partner."
It’s okay to feel nervous and take it slow.
It’s okay to fumble around awkwardly in new experiences and laugh a lot along the way.
Anyone can encounter erectile dysfunction, which might occur for a variety of reasons.
Work together to find new ways to connect.
It could lead to new discoveries about your bodies and interests!
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Holmberg M, Arver S, Dhejne C.Supporting sexuality and improving sexual function in transgender persons.Nature Reviews Urology.
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doi:10.1038/s41585-018-0108-8
Burnett AL, Nehra A, Breau RH, et al.Erectile dysfunction: AUA guideline.Journal of Urology.
2018;200(3).
