Long Island, New York (PRWEB) August 07, 2014
Dr. Joel Block, former supervisor of a New York hospital-based Sexuality Center and creator of a men’s sexual health program, known as Mind over ED, is now reporting on new findings in the area of Erectile Dysfunction.
His report this week is about a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. In this study, titled "Depressed Men with ED at Risk for Cardiovascular Problems", researchers found that the presence of depressive symptoms in men with ED constitutes a risk factor for a major cardiovascular event. (http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-78237.html)
Erectile dysfunction and depressive mood are often associated, and both are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. To investigate clinical correlates further, researchers led by Elisa Bandini of the University of Florence studied approximately 2,000 male patients in a clinic for sexual dysfunction using a structured interview while also scoring for depressive symptoms.
Dr. Block, reviewing the report, states that depression in itself, apart from other factors, can be a cardiovascular risk. In fact, the researchers found that even the use of antidepressant medications did not alter the relationship between severe depressive symptoms and adverse cardiovascular events.
The take away is clear: men with ED often are either depressed as a result, or perhaps their depression is a factor, that is interfering with their erectile function. In either case, treatments for erectile function are not optional if cardiovascular health is to be protected.
Further, since many men tend to avoid talking about their erectile dysfunction, and instead avoid being sexual, there is a role for the woman in his life. Considering that erectile dysfunction is often associated with depression, and untreated depression is a cardiovascular risk, there is a pressing basis for a woman to encourage her partner to seek psychological help; as both partners work together to discover how to fix ED.
For men with ED, depression is quite common; either as a result of their erectile dysfunction or as one of the symptoms of ED. Now, according to this new study, the link between depression and cardiovascular problems virtually demands that treatments for overcoming ED be sought by these men, and those who love them.
Joel D. Block, Ph.D., is an award-winning psychologist, practicing couple therapy and sex therapy on Long Island, New York. Board Certified in Couple Therapy by the American Board of Professional Psychology, Dr. Block is a senior psychologist on the staff of the North Shore - Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and an Assistant Clinical Professor (Psychology/Psychiatry) at the Hofstra North Shore - LIJ Medical School. Dr. Block is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Couple and Family Psychology), and for twenty years was the training supervisor of the Sexuality Center at Long Island - Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Block is the author of over 20 books on how to fix ED and, his specialty, Love and Sex. For more information visit http://www.MindoverED.com.