Erectile dysfunction (ED) or the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that’s sufficient for satisfying sexual activity is a much more common problem than we thought. It is believed that one out of 10 men in the world is suffering from ED.
However, despite the commonness of this male health issue, awareness about it is still not that widespread. Many men and women still don’t know much about this condition, which has led to severe frustration and strained relationships that eventually fall apart. Here are some of the things you need to know about erectile dysfunction.Erectile dysfunction is a complex thing
For all that modern medicine knows about ED, the condition remains somewhat mysterious. The brain, hormones, the nervous system, blood vessels, and muscles are all involved in giving rise to erectile dysfunction. ED issues may arise if any of them presents a problem.There are many physical conditions that could lead to ED
The Mayo Clinic lists many physiological reasons why a man may suffer from erectile dysfunction. Foremost among these are heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Parkinson’s disease, prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate, multiple sclerosis, metabolic syndrome, obesity and even hormonal issues such as low testosterone levels are also being blamed for ED.
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications men take for various health conditions may also contribute to male impotence. There are diuretics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, prostate cancer medications, non-steroidal inflammatory drugs, and even antihistamines that may affect a man’s circulation, hormones or nerves, and result in ED or raise the risk of ED.
Trauma such as injury to the nerves and arteries near the penis can lead to ED. The same goes for injuries to the spinal cord, prostate, bladder, pelvis and to the penis itself.
Lifestyle choices are also a huge factor in erectile dysfunction. Smoking, alcohol consumption, substance abuse, not getting enough sleep, and too little exercise contribute to ED as well.Psychological issues may cause ED, too
When a man suffers from persistent erectile dysfunction despite not having physiological problems, it is likely that the problem lies in the psychological side of things. As we all know, sex breeds a lot of fears in both men and women. For the men, performance anxiety arises, especially after a single case of ED during one sexual encounter. Aside from fearing it will happen again, a man could also fear not being unable to satisfy his partner sexually. Eventually, these fears may cause one’s self-esteem and confidence to take a dive, which could only make ED problems worse.
Experts also point to mental issues such as chronic stress or depression as causes of erectile dysfunction. When a man is suffering from stress and depression, it isn’t just his brain that takes the brunt of their effects. Physical symptoms such as aches and pains, chronic fatigue, appetite loss, insomnia and a diminished interest sex also manifest.ED affects young men as well
While it’s true that the incidence of ED increases with age, young men who are otherwise healthy may also suffer from it. The most common reason is anxiety. It is not unusual for young men about to have sex to be nervous about it or have concerns about not wanting to seem inexperienced or getting a girl pregnant, among other things.ED can be effectively addressed
Whatever caused the ED, men should take comfort in the fact that it can be tackled effectively. Some men may only need to lose weight or exercise more. Others may require medication and other options. The point is, suffering from a case of ED is not the end of the world, as there is now a variety of solutions available to help a man get back in the game.
Unfortunately, many myths about ED continue to persist. If you want to learn more about those myths and the facts that debunk them, check out this infographic.
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