ED, or erectile dysfunction, is a condition in which a man is unable to get and maintain an erection for sexual intercourse. It strikes about 1 in 10 adult men and is quite prevalent in men aged 50 years and older.
According to studies, about 50% of men who are in their 50s have erectile dysfunction, and that percentage increases by 10% for every decade that passes, i.e. the odds increase to 60% once they are in their 60s, to 70% once they are in their 70s, and so on.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction often comes with aging, but it can also be a symptom of various underlying medical conditions. The following are examples of factors that cause ED:
Heart disease
The heart is an important organ that plays many crucial roles in the body. It is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to the cells and tissues, and eliminating carbon dioxide and wastes. If your heart is healthy, you should not have any problem with getting enough blood flowing to your penis for erections. However, if your heart is suffering from complications, such as if there is a blocked blood vessel somewhere, your blood circulation is negatively impacted, and blood flow to your penis is impeded.
Multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders
To get an erection, the nerves in your body should be able to send impulses to your penis without any obstructions. However, if you have multiple sclerosis, which is a condition that disables your central nervous system, your nerves may be unable to allow information to smoothly flow between your brain and body.
Mental health
Your mental health is crucial to your erectile function. If you are always stressed, suffering from depression, or have performance anxiety, it may become difficult to maintain a high sex drive or perform satisfactorily in the bedroom, even with enough sexual stimulation.
Injury
Certain injuries can cause erectile dysfunction. For example, if you get into an accident that leaves serious damage to your spinal cord or nerves, you may be left with a dysfunctional penis. Also, if you experience extreme force or trauma to your pelvic area or penis, you may experience vascular damage that can make achieving and sustaining erections difficult or even impossible.
In some cases, erectile dysfunction is brought about by certain medications. If you are taking medication for your heart, depression, cancer, and other health problems, you should be wary because they may contain substances that can cause trouble to your penis.
Examples of medications that may potentially have ED as one of their side effects are:
- Antidepressants – These are medications used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, some addictions, some chronic pain conditions, and others.
- Antihistamines – These are medications used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and other kinds of allergies caused by food, dust mites, pollen, and other factors.
- Muscle relaxants – These are medications used to relieve the symptoms of muscles pains, muscle spasms, and hyperreflexia, and they can reduce muscle function and tone.
- Chemotherapy medications – These are medications used to stop cancer cells from growing and spreading to the other parts of the body or to completely kill cancer cells.
- Antihypertensives – These are medications used for the treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension.
- Diuretics – These are medications used to increase the amount urine expelled from the body, and they are usually administered to people with high blood pressure, edema, and glaucoma.
Use of prohibited, illegal, and recreational drugs can also contribute to ED. Your risk of erectile dysfunction increases if you are a frequent or long-term user of the following drugs:
- Alcohol – Health experts recommend that men drink no more than 2 drinks per day and women drink no more than one drink per day to keep their alcohol intake in moderation and avoid the health risks of alcohol abuse.
- Cocaine – This is a very potent recreational drug that has profound effects on brain function, causing an intense feeling of agitation or happiness, detachment from reality, tremors, and increased heart rate.
- Amphetamines – These are drugs that stimulate the brain and central nervous system. They are legally prescribed to treat narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and others. However, if abused, they can impair cognitive skills, increase anxiety levels, cause faster heart rate and heart palpitations, and raise blood pressure.
How is erectile dysfunction treated?
It is important that you consult your doctor as soon as possible to treat your erectile dysfunction. These days, there are several ways to treat ED, and your doctor may recommend the one that they think is best for you. Some of the common ED treatment options are:
Oral medications
These are the most commonly prescribed treatment for ED. They work by boosting the effects of nitric oxide in your body, making your penis more relaxed and able to receive blood to get an erection. Examples of these oral medications for ED are Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil, and Avanafil.
Sex therapy
If your erectile issues are caused by factors that have got to do with your mental health or psychology, you may be advised by your doctor to see a sex therapist. By undergoing this kind of counseling, you can get help for your performance anxiety problem, high stress levels, or depression.
Penile injection therapy
This is done by injecting into a particular area of your penis, away from a blood vessel or a nerve. You should only administer your doctor’s prescribed dosage, as there may be negative side effects that can only worsen your condition.
Hormone therapy
If your ED is due to low hormone levels, you may be advised by your doctor to take hormone replacement. Among all the hormones found in men, testosterone is the primary male sex hormone that plays a big role in various bodily functions. Men with low testosterone usually encounter erectile difficulties, and they are prescribed testosterone replacement therapy in the form of injections, pellets, skin patches, creams, or topical gels by their doctors.
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