Seeking Advice: Partner with Long-Term Steroid History and ED
I am in love with a 35-year-old man who used performance-enhancing hormones for bodybuilding over a period of 10 years. He has since stopped, but he is now suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED).
Currently, he is completely refusing medical treatment, claiming he has "accepted" his situation. However, I can see that this is a major point of vulnerability for him. He has even admitted to me that he feels a deep sense of shame, fearing what other men would think if they knew.
I sense that he has a buried desire to seek help, and I want to encourage and support him through a recovery journey. As a medical student, I’ve even started researching the clinical aspects of his condition to better understand what he’s going through.
I have two main concerns:
The Psychological Toll: He has started making strange, self-sabotaging decisions. He is considering marrying a woman who is a lesbian, under the conviction that she won't "demand" anything from him sexually.
The Recovery Process: I don’t want to pressure him, but I want to know if there is hope. Has anyone here gone through a similar recovery after long-term steroid use? How was the treatment journey, and what helped you or your partner regain your health?
I want to be his support system, but I’m worried about the path he's taking. Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.