I was browsing an onscreen TV guide last night while passing time between tasks and saw an ad for a show called “Living With Ed.” I laughed as soon as I realized what the show was actually about. Not because the star of the show is trying to raise environmental awareness, but rather because what my first reaction was when I glanced over the name.

Because of the focus of my research, my mind said “E-D” not “Ed.” I went straight to, “Wow, a show about Erectile Dysfunction!” but of course, it was a different kind of lifestyle show.

That got me thinking, though, that I have posted very little for my male readers (or their partners) about the frustrating physical condition that is addressed by my Erectile Mastery relationship guide.

Men and women write in all the time asking for advice or to share their stories about how ED is affecting their lives.

Living with ED really is a partnership issue. Both people in the relationship suffer when ED lands in your space. To focus on one member of the relationship (the man directly affected) while ignoring his partner is a bit of a disservice.

That’s not to say that the dysfunction itself is the most important problem for a man’s partner. It is the frustration by proxy that his spouse or partner feels. By that I mean: your partner loves you and wants to see you happy. When you are unhappy and suffering, your partner suffers right alongside of you, hurting and longing for a resolution.

Whether you are sick with a debilitating virus or having physical relationship problems, you are suffering. No committed and loving partner will be immune to the effects of that and will want only for relief and for your comfort.

However, just take it at face value, though. The stress of ‘I am making my partner miserable’ doesn’t help the situation, and only creates more performance anxiety. Just let your partner love you, empathize with you, listen to your concerns and frustrations, and build you back up as only that person can.

One other thing you can do together is some general internet research, much like you are doing in this moment with this article, to see what can be done to improve your situation.

There are natural remedies, exercises, creams, drugs and weird rituals, and no one program is going to work for every single man, especially if his partner will be involved in the resolution at some point.

You have to be willing to have a candid talk together about what your preferences are. By reading here, you have already expressed the interest in keeping your solutions natural, safe, and drug-free. That’s a great first step.

But what you don’t want to do, especially as a partner of a man who is suffering with ED, is to find something you think will be great without at least discussing it with your loved one first.

However well-intentioned your actions may be, if your lover gets the impression you are trying to ‘fix’ him he may pull completely away from not only the ‘remedy’ but also from you emotionally.

This issue is such a private and frustrating struggle, and there is such a taboo associated with sexual issues that it is like jumping through flaming hoops just to get an open and candid dialogue started.

But let me tell you, healing and growth can’t happen unless you are willing to have the difficult discussions. Opening yourself up to that kind of vulnerability is uncomfortable at first…but I guarantee it is not more uncomfortable that living with Erectile Dysfunction.

If you and your partner are serious about facing Erectile Dysfunction and doing something about it, you may want to check out our Erectile Dysfunction Program here…

As always your comments are most appreciated below.