Understanding Erectile Dysfunction the
Basics.
- What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
- What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction,
also known as ED or impotence, is the inability to attain or maintain an
erection of the penis
adequate for the sexual satisfaction of both partners. It can be devastating to
the self-esteem of a man and of his partner. As many as 30 million American men
are afflicted on a continuing basis, and transient episodes affect nearly all
adult males. But nearly all men who seek treatment find some measure of relief.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
As recently as two decades ago, doctors tended to
blame erectile dysfunction
on psychological problems or, with older men, on the normal aging process. Today,
the pendulum of medical opinion has swung away from both notions. While arousal
takes longer as a man ages, chronic erectile dysfunction
warrants medical attention. Moreover, the difficulty is often not psychological
in origin. Today, urologists believe that physical factors underlie the
majority of cases of persistent erectile dysfunction in men over age 50.
Erectile dysfunction in older men.
Because erections primarily involve the blood
vessels, it is not surprising that the most common causes in older men are
conditions that block blood
flow to the penis,
such as atherosclerosis
or diabetes.
Another vascular cause may be a faulty vein, which lets blood drain too quickly
from the penis. Other physical disorders, as well as hormonal imbalances and
certain operations, may also result in erectile dysfunction.
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The vascular processes that produce an erection are
controlled by the nervous system
and certain prescription medications may have the side effect
of interfering with necessary nerve signals. Among the possible culprits are a
variety of stimulants, sedatives, diuretics, antihistamines,
and drugs to treat high blood pressure,
cancer,
or depression.
But never stop a medication unless your doctor tells you to. In addition,
alcohol, tobacco,
and illegal drugs, such as marijuana,
may contribute to the dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction in younger men.
With younger men, psychological problems are the likeliest reason for erectile
dysfunction. Tension and anxiety may arise from poor
communication with the sexual partner or a difference in sexual preferences.
The sexual difficulties may also be linked to these factors:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Personal sexual fears
- Rejection by parents or peers
- Sexual abuse in childhood
What
Is Impotence?
Impotence is a condition that consistently affects a person’s ability
to achieve or maintain an erection, or ability to achieve ejaculation. It’s a
form of erectile
dysfunction (ED).
There can be several contributing
factors for impotence. These include both emotional and physical disorders.
According to The Merck Manual, an estimated 50 percent of men ages 40 to 70
experience some ED at one time or another. The risk of impotence increases with
age.
It’s also been noted that men with
more education are less
likely to experience impotence, probably
because they have healthier lifestyles on average.
Impotence often has a negative affect on sex life, and can cause additional stress, depression, and low self-esteem.
Impotence often has a negative affect on sex life, and can cause additional stress, depression, and low self-esteem.
Impotence can change a person’s life
and affect their self-esteem. Although aging is often associated with erectile
dysfunction, growing older isn’t necessarily one of the biggest causes of
impotence. ED isn’t considered a natural part of aging. Aging is just a risk
factor. Some never struggle with impotence.
Though erectile dysfunction can have
a negative impact on sex life, it’s a treatable condition. Many interventions
exist that can help a person regain their sexual function, including natural
remedies, medications, and lifestyle changes.
Because
impotence can signal an underlying health problem, make an appointment with
your doctor if it becomes a consistent problem, even if you think it’s just
stress.
Erectile
Dysfunction and Your Age: Is It Inevitable?
- Definition
- Age factors
- Medical causes
- Other causes
- Lifestyle changes
- Outlook
Is
erectile dysfunction inevitable?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to
have sexual intercourse. Some people may assume ED increases with age. The fact
is that impotence and the inability to maintain an erection aren’t always
age-related. Aging doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doomed to develop ED
indefinitely. While age can raise the risk for ED, there are ways to treat it.
Learn more about the risks and treatment options.
What
is erectile dysfunction?
Male sexual
arousal may seem simple, but it depends on a precise, complex sequence of
events inside the body. The brain activates nerves in the penis to relax
muscles in the spongy tissues that run the length of the penis. When these
muscles relax, blood can flow in from arteries to fill open spaces in the spongy
tissue.
Increased
blood pressure expands the penis. Membranes around the spongy tissue sustain
the erection. Anything interrupting this sequence can result in the inability
to have or keep an erection long enough for sexual intercourse.
Hope,
no matter your age
ED is often
associated with getting older. Although ED’s frequency does increase with age,
it’s treatable regardless of your and isn’t as inevitable as you might think.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it’s estimated that only 4 percent of men in their 50s and
17 percent of men in their 60s experience total inability to have an erection.
In fact, ED can have many causes not associated with aging.
Medical
causes of ED
There are
many physical causes of ED. Any one of these can disrupt the sequence of
physiological changes that produces an erection:
- obesity
- diabetes
- heart disease
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- high cholesterol
- low testosterone
- enlarged prostate
- sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
The hormone
testosterone affects a person’s sex drive and energy levels, which govern arousal
impulses to the brain. Diabetes can also damage the nerves that signal
increased blood flow to the genital area.
According to
the American Diabetes Association, a man with type 2 diabetes is twice as likely to have low
testosterone compared to a man that does not have diabetes. Your doctor can
test for diabetic nerve damage and low testosterone. Also, any constriction of
blood flow from heart disease and artery blockages would hamper an erection.
Other
causes of ED
ED isn’t
necessarily related to age or chronic illnesses. Other common causes include:
- heavy alcohol consumption
- tobacco use
- prescription medications
- anxiety
- depression
Alcohol
slows nerve communications within the brain and throughout the body, which can
affect arousal signals and physical coordination. Tobacco not only restricts
blood flow, but can lead to serious diseases that may further impair sexual
function.
Medications
can also affect people differently. A drug that decreases sexual performance in
one person might not in another. Common types of drugs that may lead to
impotence include:
- antihistamines
- calcium channel blockers
- high blood pressure medications
- hormone therapy
- antidepressants
Psychological
and emotional stressors can also inhibit sexual arousal. Nervous about
tomorrow’s sales presentation at work? Grieving a parent’s death? Angry or hurt
by arguments with your spouse? Any of these can interfere with your feelings of
sexual desire.
Plus, not
having or sustaining an erection — even once, for any reason — can spiral into
greater anxiety and perhaps doubts about your sexual abilities and self-esteem.
Lifestyle
changes and other treatments
The good
news is that you can control most of the physical and emotional causes of ED.
For example, you can:
- lose weight
- quit smoking
- try to improve your relationship with your sexual partner
- practice healthy responses to stress
Such
strategies might take a little research and trial and error to discover what
works best for you. Be sure to talk to your doctor to address physical or
medication causes of your ED.
What’s
the outlook?
The risk for
ED can increase with age because of naturally decreasing levels of
testosterone. Still, testosterone and age aren’t the sole factors in achieving
an erection. Most causes of ED aren’t directly related to age, but rather other
underlying medical issues.
Your doctor
can determine the cause of ED with a blood test and physical and psychosocial
exams. There may even be more than one underlying cause. Once the problem is
properly identified, ED can be treated so you can lead a happier, healthier life.
Beware Of Diabetes
Diabetes is another risk factor for erectile
dysfunction that is often overlooked. The damage caused to blood vessels by
abnormal blood sugar levels can, in the long run, result in ED.
Type 2 diabetes stems primarily from unhealthy diet
and lack of exercise (yet another reason to maintain a healthy lifestyle to
prevent ED).
Prevention of Erectile Dysfunction
The Role Of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure
And Other Conditions
There are two broad categories that the causes of
erectile dysfunction (ED) fall into: physical and physiological.
Physical health problems are the most likely cause of
erectile dysfunction, particularly in older males. Common chronic diseases such
as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are often associated with
ED and therefore, a healthy lifestyle is the best way to avoid ED.
For younger men, ED is often related to anxiety,
stress or psychological trauma due to a distressing sexual experience.
Pills such as Viagra can help a man overcome
psychological obstacles and give him confidence that everything is working
perfectly. However, for older men, consulting a doctor can be an important step
towards uncovering and treating underlying physical causes.
How can I prevent erectile dysfunction?
Get Healthy!
The seven top tips to achieve better health, both
physical and physiological, are:
- Lose weight: if you are in the overweight bracket, the excess weight may be putting your cardiovascular system under strain;
- Quit smoking: this affects blood flow and neuro-signals which normally ensure correct blood flow into the penis;
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol (no more than two drinks a day);
- Maintain a balanced diet;
- Control and monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol levels;
- Be physically active: just 30min per day can improve your blood flow, state of mind and stress levels;
- Reduce stress and get enough sleep (at least 7 hours a night).
In most cases, blood vessel deterioration is the main
cause of erectile dysfunction, so you want to make sure that your blood vessels
are in good condition to allow normal blood flow. Depending on the state of
your health, taking pills might not always prove the most effective solution.
Erectile Dysfunction In Young Men
Young men often suffer from “performance anxiety”,
which can result in erectile dysfunction.
Being psychologically healthy does not require you to
have nerves of steel. It's simply important to be open with your feelings, and
it may be beneficial to express and discuss how you feel.
Seeking help from a sexual health expert can prove
very effective, especially to work through relationship issues or anxiety, both
of which may result in ED.
You should note that, while recreational drugs and low
levels of testosterone are not directly responsible for erectile dysfunction,
they may well affect a man's sexual drive.
Old or young, remember that it is normal to experience
“engine failure” once in a while. Look for diversity and new experiences with
your partner so that you can focus on present pleasure again rather than
reviewing past failures.
Fear and anxiety about having sex are likely to create
a vicious cycle: it is important to break this.
What Are My Options? Pills Or Emotional
Support?
When your confidence is at stake, taking pills such as
Viagra can help you to realise that there is no problem with the “engine” and
give you that confidence boost.
However, if you are facing bigger issues, then expert
help and knowing fully what you are dealing with can help relieve your fear and
anxiety.
This will help you to find out the real causes of the
problem too, which will help you reach the best solution for you.
If you feel too embarrassed to raise the topic with
your doctor, you can use our online services to directly contact one of our
GPs. They can assess the causes of your ED and suggest a treatment that fits
your needs.
Relationship Issues and Erectile
Dysfunction
While you are working out the causes of your problem
or being treated, it's fundamental that you focus on your relationship.
Couples who have difficulties communicating on both
sexual and heart matters are more likely to develop issues related to intimacy
and sex. Talking about your feelings and anxieties, although this may sound
difficult, is crucial: your partner needs to understand how you feel and what
you need.
Just remember, if you are having problems with your
impotence, your partner will be affected by this too. There is nothing to lose
by talking about it, so it's often beneficial to be pro-active by raising the
issue and then working through it together. You may well find yourself
addressing broader issues in your life, which can also improve your mood and
relationship.
Do erectile dysfunction exercises help?
According to recent research by the University of the
West of England in Bristol suggests, that erectile dysfunction exercises may be
a very effective way of improving your erections. Similar to the pelvic floor
exercises recommended to women after childbirth, these exercises involve
clenching the muscles you use to control urination. Pelvic floor exercises have
long been known to help patients with incontinence. The study conducted by a
team of scientists in Bristol involved participants who had been suffering from
erectile dysfunction for at least six months. 40% of participants reported that
they regained their erectile function within 3 to 6 months. A further 35%
reported, that they noticed a significant improvement to their condition.
The scientists from Bristol compared the effectiveness
of these exercises to that of Viagra and believe regularly exercising your
pelvic floor muscles may be the best way of preventing erectile dysfunction.
The exercises train the muscles surrounding your penis, which improves the
blood flow and improves your ability to gain and keep an erection.
Physical exercise - how sport can help
Exercising regularly is a great way to improve the
state of your general health and boost your performance. A series of prolonged
bad habits can damage the tissue responsible for erections over the years.
When combined with a healthier lifestyle, regular
physical activity can contribute to improving your blood flow and restore your
ability to get erections. All you need to do is to maintain a regular activity,
even just 30 minutes a day, to improve your blood pressure, blood flow, cardio
and overall health. Even walking is a good option, although it's better to
practice a sport or do some hard exercise to push yourself!
In addition, it's important to achieve and maintain a
healthy weight. This is a great long-term prevention strategy for erectile
dysfunction.
However, there is one sport you may want to avoid:
cycling. Long-term and long hours of outdoors cycling can damage the nerves in
your pelvic area which control erections. Indoors cycling is much less
hazardous as the seat is generally wider and less prone to damaging your body.
5 Common Causes of Impotence
- Endocrine Diseases
- Neurological Disorders
- Medications
- Cardiac-Related Conditions
- Lifestyle Factors
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook
1.
Endocrine Diseases
The body’s endocrine system produces
hormones that regulate metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, mood, and
much more.
Diabetes is an example of an endocrine disease that can cause a
person to experience impotence. Diabetes affects the body’s ability to utilize
the hormone insulin. One of the side effects associated with chronic diabetes
is nerve damage. This affects penis sensations. Other complications associated
with diabetes are impaired blood flow and hormone levels. Both of these factors
can contribute to impotence.
2.
Neurological and Nerve Disorders
Several neurologic conditions can
increase the risk for impotence. Nerve conditions affect the brain’s ability to
communicate with the reproductive
system. This can prevent a person from
achieving an erection.Neurological
disorders associated with impotence include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- brain or spinal tumors
- multiple sclerosis
- stroke
- temporal lobe epilepsy
People who have had prostate gland
surgery can also experience nerve damage that causes impotence.
Long distance bicycle riders can
also experience temporary impotence. This is because repeated pressure on the
buttocks and genitals can affect the function of the nerves.
3.
Taking Medications
Taking certain medications can
affect blood flow, which can lead to ED. A person should never stop taking a
medicine without their doctor’s permission, even if it’s known to cause
impotence.
Examples of medications known to
cause impotence include:
- alpha-adrenergic blockers, including tamsulosin (Flomax)
- beta-blockers, such as carvedilol (Coreg) and metoprolol (Lopressor)
- cancer chemotherapy medications, such as cimetidine (Tagamet)
- central nervous system depressants, such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and codeine (found in various brand name drugs)
- central nervous system stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamines
- diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and spironolactone (Aldactone)
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil)
- synthetic hormones, such as leuprolide (Eligard)
4.
Cardiac-Related Conditions
Conditions that affect the heart and
its ability to pump blood well can cause impotence. Without enough blood flow
to the penis, a person can’t achieve an erection.
Atherosclerosis, a condition that causes the blood vessels to become
clogged, can cause impotence. High
cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension) are also associated with increased risks for impotence.
5.
Lifestyle Factors and Emotional Disorders
To achieve an erection, a person
must first go through what’s known as an excitement phase. This phase can be an
emotional response. If a person has an emotional disorder, this affects their
ability to become sexually excited.
Depression and anxiety are
associated with increased risk for impotence. Depression is a feeling of
sadness, loss of hope, or helplessness. Fatigue related to depression can also
cause impotence.
Performance anxiety can be another
cause of impotence. If a person wasn’t able to achieve an erection in the past,
he may fear he won’t be able to achieve an erection in the future. A person may
also find he can’t achieve an erection with a certain partner. Someone with ED
related to performance anxiety may be able to have full erections when
masturbating or when sleeping, yet he isn’t able to maintain an erection during
intercourse.
Abuse of drugs like cocaine and
amphetamines can also cause impotence. Alcohol
abuse and alcoholism can affect a
person’s ability to achieve or maintain an erection as well. See your doctor if
you suspect that you may have a substance abuse problem.
Treatment
Treatments are available for
impotence, including prescription medications, natural remedies, and lifestyle
changes.
Prescription
Medications
There are a variety of medical
treatments that can be used to treat impotence. Prescription treatments and
other medical interventions to help treat impotence include:
- sidenafil (Viagra)
- tadalafil (Cialis)
- vardenafil (Staxyn, Levitra)
- testosterone replacement
- blood vessel surgery
- psychological counseling
Natural
Remedies
For those who want to avoid
prescription medication, there are a variety of natural remedies known to help
treat impotence.
Some natural or alternative remedies
for impotence include:
- Multi-maca.
- Bee pollen.
- Vitolize for men.
- Royal jelly.
- Calcium/Nature-min.
- Field of greens.
- A beta carotene.
- L-arginine/pomegranate.
- Ginseng and chias.
Before you use any natural remedies,
make sure that you consult your doctor first.
Lifestyle
Changes
Whether a person’s impotence has a
physical or an emotional cause, there are many cases where lifestyle changes
can reduce their struggle with ED.
According to the Health aspects,
these lifestyle and behavior changes include:
- smoking and drinking less
- strengthening communication in a romantic relationship
- reducing anxiety
- exercising more and following a healthy diet
Impotence has a large number of
causes, but there are still measures you can take to help prevent it.
Methods of possible prevention
include:
- taking part in physical exercise, which decreases the risk of impotence
- avoiding smoking, drugs, or alcohol abuse
- getting enough sleep
- following a healthy diet
- reducing stress, anxiety, and depression
Impotence can change a person’s life
and affect their self-esteem. Although aging is often associated with erectile
dysfunction, growing older isn’t necessarily one of the biggest causes of
impotence. ED isn’t considered a natural part of aging. Aging is just a risk
factor. Some never struggle with impotence.
Though erectile dysfunction can have
a negative impact on sex life, it’s a treatable condition. Many interventions
exist that can help a person regain their sexual function, including natural
remedies, medications, and lifestyle changes.
Because
impotence can signal an underlying health problem, make an appointment with
your doctor if it becomes a consistent problem, even if you think it’s just
stress.
The risk for
ED can increase with age because of naturally decreasing levels of
testosterone. Still, testosterone and age aren’t the sole factors in achieving
an erection. Most causes of ED aren’t directly related to age, but rather other
underlying medical issues.
Your doctor
can determine the cause of ED with a blood test and physical and psychosocial
exams. There may even be more than one underlying cause. Once the problem is
properly identified, ED can be treated so you can lead a happier, healthier life.
I THINK YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD ABOUT ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AND IMPOTENCE IN
GENERAL,WHAT YOU SUPPOSED TO DO IS TO HAVE ,A GOOD BEHAVIOR,GOOD BODY HYGIENE,
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LOYAL TO YOUR HEALTHY BY MAKING REGULAR CHECK- UPS.
TRUST US;
TO ASSIST YOU TOWARDS IMPROVING YOU HEALTH
WITH HIGHLY GREAT CONFIDENTIALITY TO YOUR INNER CASE THAT YOU DON'T
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