Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Everything You Need to Know
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is one of the most widespread sexual dysfunctions among men. There are a lot of myths and prejudices connected with erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is a condition when men have difficulties with the achievement of erection. Although all men experience it at least once in their life, it does not mean that there is a disease. Men sometimes have erectile dysfunction due to stress, tiredness, or any other feature of their way of life. However, if it happens very often, it may mean that there is something wrong with men’s health.
Nevertheless, erectile dysfunction can be cured in most cases. The treatment of erectile dysfunction, the change of lifestyle, and the consultation with a doctor will help to become confident again. It is necessary to know about erectile dysfunction.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction happens if the penis cannot get enough rigidity for sexual intercourse to be possible. The condition is also called impotence – a word which has been out of use nowadays since it is rarely used by doctors.
A healthy erectile function presupposes good blood flow, normal operation of the nervous system, proper hormonal balance, and stimulation. Any failure in these aspects can lead to erectile dysfunction. There might be cases when erectile dysfunction happens sporadically, and there is nothing to worry about. But if the symptoms persist for several weeks or even months, you should start paying attention.
Erectile dysfunction is not the symptom of aging only. As erectile dysfunction is becoming more widespread among the elderly people, many older men continue their sexual life, while the younger ones can also experience erectile dysfunction because of various causes.
How Common Is Erectile Dysfunction?
ED affects millions of men all over the world and becomes more common with advancing age. Research shows that the chances of developing this disorder grow after 40 years old. But this disorder may develop at any age.
More cases of ED in men have been associated with some health problems like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, smoking, and also various mental disorders. Besides, erectile dysfunction is increasingly diagnosed in young people because of stress, lack of sleep, sedentary lifestyle, and alcohol abuse.
Despite the fact that men often hesitate to consult their doctors about ED, it is very important for them to do this, as it will help identify the causes of their problem and treat it better.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
ED can arise due to many factors, and in most cases, several causes can be behind the disorder. The identification of the cause is one of the key aspects of selecting an appropriate treatment plan for erectile dysfunction. It is quite normal to have some erection problems sometimes, but chronic ED may suggest some health problem which requires further medical attention.
Physical Causes
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
Psychological Causes
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationship issues
Lifestyle Causes
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Poor sleep
- Lack of exercise
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
The primary sign of erectile dysfunction is the inability to get a hard enough erection on a continuous basis. While the occasional experience of erection failure is rarely something to worry about, persistent problems should be treated as serious symptoms.
Typical signs of ED include:
- Inability to get an erection during sexual activity.
- Inability to keep an erection long enough to engage in sexual activity.
- Decreased sexual desire.
- Weakened erections.
- Anxiety associated with sex.
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Who Is More Likely to Develop ED?
Even though ED can occur in men at all ages, there are individuals who are more likely to suffer from the disorder than others. Apart from age, which is one of the risk factors for ED, it is not the only cause of ED in men. Even younger men suffer from inability to get erections due to various reasons like some diseases, stress and improper lifestyle.
In case you have any of the following characteristics, you may belong to the category of those who are more vulnerable to ED:
- Diabetes and hypertension.
- Heart diseases and bad blood circulation.
- Excess weight and obesity.
- Being a heavy smoker and alcoholic.
- Chronic stress, anxiety or depression.
- Certain prescription drugs that affect your sexual functions.
- Sedentary lifestyle with lack of physical activities.
How Doctors Diagnose Erectile Dysfunction
When diagnosing the condition, the process will begin with a consultation where the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and life are considered. The doctor will want to know the frequency of the situation, its occurrence in different circumstances, and any other medical conditions which might be responsible for the erectile dysfunction.
The physical examination can be carried out to determine whether there is an imbalance in hormones, circulatory system, or nerves. If you are suffering from specific symptoms, your doctor will advise you to undergo blood tests which will help determine the levels of your blood sugar, cholesterol, testosterone, and others.
It is possible that the urine analysis or blood flow study will be performed in order to diagnose the cause of erectile dysfunction. It is vital to understand that an accurate diagnosis will help treat the condition efficiently.
Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction
It is essential to know that the choice of erectile dysfunction treatment is dependent on the cause of the disorder. A combination of the described above ways of treating ED can provide the best results in many cases.
Lifestyle Changes
Some minor changes in a person’s routine can have a powerful influence on erectile functioning. Physical activity contributes to the improvement of blood circulation and heart condition while helping to reduce the level of stress. Being within a healthy body weight, having a balanced diet, enough rest and giving up smoking also may be effective in the improvement of sexual activity.
Oral Medications
- Prescription drugs are the most popular way of ED treatment. They help to increase the blood flow to the penis so that an erection can be achieved and maintained while sexual arousal takes place.
- Popular treatment methods are Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil. In these cases, you can try out their generic versions like Cenforce 200 or Cenforce 100 mg, Fildena 100 mg, Kamagra Oral Jelly, or Vidalista 60 mg.
- However, oral drugs are not good for everybody especially for people who take nitrates for chest pain and heart diseases.
Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Prevented?
While erectile dysfunction cannot always be prevented, engaging in a healthy lifestyle will greatly decrease the risk. As it is clear from the connection between erectile dysfunction and the well-being of an individual, good health habits are beneficial for a person’s sexuality as well as for his or her overall health.
Physical activity is effective in improving the circulation of blood and keeping one fit and healthy. Also, a healthy diet consisting of fresh vegetables, fruit, grains, proteins, and healthy fats will be beneficial since erectile dysfunction is frequently associated with such diseases as diabetes and hypertension.
Abstaining from smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as from experiencing stress and having an adequate amount of sleep, is as essential as leading a healthy life. Medical examinations conducted on a regular basis are helpful for early detection of any health issues.
Simple life changes will not be immediately beneficial for an individual, yet they will help avoid erectile dysfunction problems in the future.