Studies have shown that treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) is more effective when the patient has a supportive partner.

How can a partner be supportive? Here are some ideas:

Attend doctor’s appointments with the patient. A partner can provide additional insights and may think of questions that the patient overlooks.
Help the patient decide on a treatment plan.
Communicate. Help the man feel comfortable discussing ED, from the physical aspects to the emotional matters.
Be encouraging and upbeat.
Understand that overcoming ED takes time. Some men need to try different treatments before they find what works best for them. Patience and a willingness to try other ways of being intimate – aside from intercourse – can take pressure off the man and make him feel like he is still desired.

Working together as a team, both partners can cope more easily with ED treatment and, in turn, strengthen their relationship along with their sex lives.