Erectile dysfunction (ED) is still somewhat of a taboo term and there are many misconceptions surrounding it. It refers to the inability to get or to maintain an erection rigid enough to engage in sexual intercourse. While many people believe that ED is a given for men as they age, the reality is that ED is not restricted to older men and there are other risk factors associated with it. Furthermore, it’s possible to live a long and full life without getting ED. It’s important to know, moreover, that there are ED treatment options that can effectively treat those with ED.

What follows is a look at, firstly, the factors contributing to ED and, secondly, ED treatment options.

ED – What is it?

In order to understand what ED is, it’s important to realize that male sexual arousal is not as simple a process that many might think. In fact, it is the result of a multi-step process within the body. For instance, the brain triggers nerves in the penis to loosen up muscles in the penis. Once this happens, blood can go to the spongy tissue in the penis from the arteries. The flow of blood into the spongy tissue in the penis enlarges the penis, and the membranes surrounding the spongy tissue maintain the erection. ED refers to anything that short circuits this process.

Rare cases of erectile dysfunction aren’t uncommon. A lot of men experience such a problem in stressful times. Frequent ED, however, can be caused by health problems that need treatment. Moreover, it can also be a sign of family problems (relationship difficulties or emotional misunderstanding). These particular problems can be solved with the help of professionals.

Let’s discuss the causes of erectile dysfunction in more detail.

ED and Age

Many people assume that ED is a condition that only impacts older men. It is true that the instances of ED are higher in the older male demographic, but getting older doesn’t necessarily mean that one has to come down with ED.

Approximately 5 percent of men that are over 40 years old have complete erectile dysfunction, and that number increases to about 15 percent of men at age 70. Mild and moderate erectile dysfunction affects approximately 10 percent of men per decade of life (i.e., 50 percent of men in their 50s, 60 percent of men in their 60s).

And it’s also important to keep in mind that there are ED treatment options available that are effective.

ED – Medical Causes

There are many medical causes of ED. Any of the following medical causes can interrupt the series of physiological changes that lead to an erection: high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep disorders, low testosterone, Parkinson’s disease, and an enlarged prostate. Many of these medical causes of ED have a genetic component.

As per diabetes, someone who has the disease is at a heightened risk of getting ED. The disease can injure the nerves that detect heightened blood flow to the genital region. A doctor can perform a test to see if there is any diabetes-related nerve damage before recommending a course of action. A doctor might also recommend a physical exam, blood test, ultrasound, nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test, and urine test.

ED – Other Risks Factors

Other risk factors can include many other things. Among them we can mention:

  • Bad habits such as smoking, drinking, and drug use
  • Personal issues including stress, anxiety, and relationship issues
  • Damage from surgery or cancer
  • Being overweight or of a certain age

Any single one of these issues can contribute to men’s health problems, quite often several of these issues overlap to cause problems of erectile dysfunction.

ED Treatments

Since there are many possible causes of ED, it follows that there are various treatments available. Depending on the causes of ED, a doctor may recommend medication treatment, talk therapy treatment, medical equipment, or all three.

Medications: A doctor would prescribe medication designed to manage ED symptoms. Popular medications include, but are not limited to, avanafil, vardenafil, sildenafil, and tadalafil.

Talk Therapy: It’s possible to come down with ED due to psychological factors like depression, stress, PTSD, and anxiety. A man with ED could go for multiple sessions with a therapist to talk about things like any significant stress he is experiencing or any possible subconscious issues that might be adversely impacting his sexual performance.

Medical Equipment: This can include the use of a vacuum pump to simulate an erection. The device draws blood into the penis, which then causes an erection.

The newest treatment for erectile dysfunction is wave therapy.  This therapy sends high-frequency, low-intensity pulsed acoustic waves through the penis.  This type of therapy takes place in your doctor’s office over the course of a 20 to 30-minute session.

These things can restore confidence and help improve overall sexual performance.

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that ED is something that can impact men of all ages. While older men are more likely to experience it than younger men, ED can affect men of any age. It’s also important to consider that age is not the only factor contributing to someone experiencing ED. There are many possible risk factors to take into account. As well, there are many ED treatment options that can help men with the condition to overcome the condition.

However, if you are experiencing ED frequently then it is important to visit your doctor to determine the underlying problem and begin seeking treatment so that you have the possibility to return to having normal healthy erections.