If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), you may experience many feelings, including resentment and anger. While this is logical, you shouldn't "shut out" your partner while dealing with the problem. Your partner is also affected by your situation. Not only is good communication is essential not only for successful diagnosis and treatment, it can help your partner realize what you are going through.

The best way to be in touch with your partner is to discuss honestly about sex and your relationship. Try to get past the initial awkwardness and embarrassment so that you can resolve the problem.

Here are some tips to help get the conversation started.

Explain your medical condition in an understandable and truthful way. Your health care provider can give you the proper literature on the condition for you to share with your partner. Talk about treatment alternatives with your partner. Explore alternative methods to receive sexual pleasure. Keep the lines of communication open.

In addition, always follow the directions of your doctor and never start to take any medicines by your own initiative. There are only three oral drugs approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction: Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. All of them have same mechanism of action, namely increasing the blood flow into the penis so that when a man is sexually stimulated, he can get an erection. Regardless of the fact that Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis work by a similar mechanism to cause erections there are slight differences in how long a certain drug works and how quickly it works. Viagra and Levitra both take effect in about 30 minutes; however Levitra works a little longer than Viagra. With Viagra the effects last approximately 4 hours. With Levitra the effects last for about 5 hours. Cialis works a bit faster (within about 15 minutes), and the effects last much longer up to 36 hours in some cases.

There are certain situations in which these drugs may not be safe to take. Before taking them, you should inform your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, including Viagra or other ED medications. Your doctor should know about any prescription or nonprescription medications you are currently taking, including herbal and dietary supplements. It is important to inform your doctor if you are scheduled for any surgery.

The combination of Viagra, Levitra or Cialis with nitroglycerin or a long-acting nitrate can cause dangerously low blood pressure. Thus it is vitally important to let you doctor know if you are taking any drugs to treat chest pain. Always follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Take these drugs exactly as directed. Do not take more or less or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

There's no doubt that erectile dysfunction puts a big strain on many relationships. Either partner or both may start showing signs of stress. If you're running into difficulties with erections, the worst thing you can do is bottle it up. Whatever you do, make sure you talk to a doctor as well as your partner.