Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments
And if you have it, your condition can directly make an impact on your confidence in yourself and the quality and sustainability of your sexual relationships.
It can make you feel less of yourself and cause you to become insecure and even depressed. And it’s easy to feel bad because you don’t satisfy your partner entirely.
In this article, you’ll learn about the condition, what may cause it and how you can improve your situation if you have it.
We will discuss:
- What is erectile dysfunction?
- What are its causes and symptoms?
- How can you cure it?
Let’s dive in.
What is erectile dysfunction?
The most prevalent sex issue that men report to their physician is erectile dysfunction or ED.It affects up to 30 million males worldwide.
ED is characterized as difficulty obtaining or maintaining a firm enough erection for intercourse.
Though it is not uncommon for a guy to experience erection occasional problems, ED that is progressing or occurs on a regular basis with intercourse is not normal and should be treated.
ED can occur:
- When the flow of blood in the penis is restricted or nerves are damaged, this occurs most frequently
- Because of stress or psychological reasons
- As an early warning sign of a more serious illness, such as atherosclerosis (hardening or clogged vessels), heart problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes-related high blood sugar
If you have the condition, finding what may cause it will help you treat it and improve your overall health. And generally, what's healthy for your circulatory health is usually good for your sex health.
What Causes Erections?
Nerves generate substances that boost the flow of blood into your penis during sexual stimulation.
Blood rushes into the penis's two erection chambers. These chambers are formed of spongy muscle tissue called the corpus cavernosum.
The spongy tissues loosen and trap blood during an erection. And the pressure caused by blood in the chambers causes the penis to contract, resulting in an erection.
When a man has an orgasm or ejaculates, another set of nerve signals reaches the penis. This causes the muscle tissues in the penis to contract, blood to be released back into the man's circulation, and the erection to collapse.
The penis is soft and limp when you are not aroused.
Also, you may notice that the size of your penis changes in response to heat, cold, or anxiety. This is typical and represents the balance of blood entering and leaving the penis.
What are the symptoms of ED?
It is difficult to obtain or maintain a firm enough erection for intercourse when you have Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
And when ED visits become a regular and inconvenient issue, your primary care doctor or a Urologist can assist.
ED could be a primary indicator of cardiovascular illness, indicating that blockages are forming in a man's microcirculation.
According to research, men with ED are at a higher risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or having circulation difficulties in their legs.
ED may also result in low self-esteem, distress for you and your partner and depression.
If ED is interfering with your well-being or relationships, the condition should be addressed.
Erectile Dsyfunction Treatment seeks to restore or improve erectile function, improve circulatory health, and improve a man's quality of life.
What causes ED?
ED can be caused by either physical or mental difficulties, or by both. Some well-known risk factors include:- Being over the age of 50
- Having or developing diabetes
- A high blood pressure
- Having a heart condition
- Having high cholesterol levels
- Smoking
- Abusing drugs or alcohol
- Being overweight
- Lack of exercise
Even while ED grows increasingly common as men get older, it is not necessarily the result of ageing. Some guys are sexually active well into their 80s.
Erectile dysfunction might be an early warning indication of a much more serious medical condition. And this is why, identifying and treating the underlying cause of ED is a critical first step to improving your sexual and general health.
Physical Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
-
There is insufficient blood flow into the penis.
Many health conditions, such as blocked arteries, heart disease, excessive blood sugar (diabetes), and smoking, can limit blood flow into the penis.
-
The penis cannot hold blood during an erection.
A guy cannot maintain an erection if blood doesn't quite remain in the penis. This problem can occur at any age.
-
The penis does not receive neural messages properly.
Certain diseases, injuries, and surgeries in the pelvis and its surrounding area can cause nerve damage to the penis.
- Diabetes can lead to small vessel disease and nerve damage in the penis.
-
Cancer therapies near the pelvic area can impair the function of the penis.
ED can be caused by surgery or radiation for malignancies of the pelvis or lower abdomen. Men who have prostate, colon-rectal, or bladder cancer frequently develop ED.
For sexual health concerns, cancer survivors should consult a urologist.
-
Drugs used to address various health issues can have a negative impact on erections.
Patients should discuss pharmacological side effects with their physician.
Psychological Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Normal sex necessitates the cooperation of both the mind and the body. So emotional or relational issues can either create or worsen ED.
ED can be caused by a variety of emotional difficulties, including:
- Anxiety or depression
- Conflicts in relationships
- Workplace or home stress
- Conflicts in social, cultural, or religious settings that cause stress
- Concerned about sex performance
How is erectile dysfunction treated?
If you are suffering from the condition, there are still ways that you can recover or improve things.
Proper care of your heart and cardiovascular health is the first step in treating ED. Your doctor may identify "risk factors" that can be modified or improved.
You may be asked to adjust your eating habits, stop smoking, boost your workouts, or refrain from using alcohol or drugs.
You may also be given alternatives to the medications you are now taking. (Remember to never discontinue or change prescription medications without first consulting with your doctor.)
Your doctor may also advise you to address emotional issues. These could be the result of interpersonal issues, life difficulties, despair, or anxiety related to previous ED problems (performance anxiety).
The following treatments are available for treating ED directly.
Non-invasive treatments are frequently attempted first. And the majority of the most well-known ED therapies are effective and safe.
Still, it's a good idea to consult your doctor about the potential adverse effects of each option:
- Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (when low testosterone is detected)
- Penile Injections like ICI or intracavernosal Alprostadil
- Medication for the urethra including IU and Alprostadil
- Vacuum devices
- Penile implants
Some younger patients with a history of serious pelvic injuries may benefit from surgery to bypass penile artery damage. But for elderly men with hardened arteries, penile vascular surgery is not advised.
It’s okay, you can get better with medical help.
If you are worried that you may have or start developing erectile dysfunction, know that help is available.
Take an online assessment today and see your solution options.