Inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is firm enough to engage in sexual activity is known as erectile dysfunction (ED). Impotence is another term that has been used occasionally but is now less common.
The occasional ED is not unusual. It is a common occurrence during stressful times. However, frequent ED may indicate medical issues that require attention. It might also be a sign of emotional or interpersonal problems that you should discuss with a specialist.
What triggers erections?
Any stage of the erection process can experience issues that result in ED. Your penis receives more blood, which leads to an erection. Usually, sexual thoughts or physical contact with your penis will increase blood flow.
A muscle within the penis’ blood vessels relaxes when a person with a penis is sexually stimulated. As a result, the two chambers inside the penis are filled with more blood flowing through the penile arteries. The penis becomes hard when the blood-filled chambers are full up.
When the blood vessel muscles flex, the erection breaks and the blood can drain down the penile veins.
How widespread is ED?
Approximately 30 million American men have ED, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
As people get older, ED is more common. According to the University of Wisconsin, men are affected by mild or moderate ED 10% more frequently than women every ten years of life. For instance, 60% of men in their 60s can have ED in some form.
Nevertheless, ED can also affect younger people. According to a 2013 study, 1 in 4 males seeking their first ED treatment were under the age of 40. Comparing these guys to older males, researchers found a greater association between smoking, drug use, and ED. This shows that ED in younger men may be significantly influenced by lifestyle decisions.
Even while the likelihood of developing ED rises with age, it is not a given. In general, your sexual function will be better the healthier you are. Study up on aging and ED.
If you have diabetes, it’s crucial that you maintain your blood sugar levels in conjunction with your physician. This can lessen the risk of harm that can cause ED. Examine the relationship between type 2 diabetes and ED.
Causes of erectile dysfunction
ED may have a variety of emotional and physical issues as one of its causes. Typical causes include;
- cardiovascular condition
- Diabetes and hypertension, sometimes known as high blood pressure and obesity
- hormone abnormalities or low testosterone levels
- renal illness
- increased stress and anxiety with aging
- depression Issues in Relationships
- certain prescription drugs, like those used to treat depression or high blood pressure
- sleep problems
- drug abuse
- utilizing cigarette products and excessive alcohol consumption
- Parkinson’s condition
- harm to the pelvic region caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) due to trauma or surgery
- Peyronie’s disease, which results in the development of scar tissue in the penis
One of these causes alone, or a combination of them, can result in ED. To help your doctor rule out or treat any underlying medical concerns, it’s crucial to cooperate with them. Find out more about the origins of ED.
Treatment for erectile dysfunction
The underlying etiology of ED will determine the course of treatment. It’s possible that you’ll need to combine various therapies, such as medicine or talk therapy.
According to data published by the Mexican Ministry of Health, between the ages of 40 and 70, erectile dysfunction affects about 55% of Mexican men. ED is the inability to get or keep a solid erection long enough to enjoy a fulfilling sexual encounter.
In addition to being a sexual health issue, erectile dysfunction can also result from subpar surgery or an injury to the penis, spine, prostate, bladder, or pelvis.
Although some young people experience erectile dysfunction for reasons other than aging, Doctor Armando González Sánchez, a surgeon with a UNAM medical degree and the medical director of Laboratorios Serral, said, Erectile dysfunction is not always a necessary component of aging.
[/quotation] “The incidence of erectile dysfunction increases with age, from the age of 40, although some young people suffer from other causes; however, it is not necessarily an essential part of the aging process, as there are men who do not suffer from it even in old age.”[/quotation]
How is erectile dysfunction treated?
Walking every day for as little as 30 minutes can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction by as much as 41%, according to a Harvard University study. Similar to this, it is thought that exercising the pelvic floor helps to prevent these issues.
To treat erectile dysfunction, a vascular condition that typically arises when the blood flow to the penis is insufficient or there are issues with its arteries or vessels, drugs like tadalafil or sildenafil can be utilized.
The specialist stated in a Grupo Somar podcast that these medications shouldn’t be used as aphrodisiacs because mixing them or taking more of them than recommended could result in a lifelong dependence on achieving firmness in the penis or, worse, could cause priapism, which is a protracted and painful erection that needs immediate medical attention.
Additionally, taking these drugs may have a number of unfavorable side effects, such as headaches, flushing, runny nose, low blood pressure, and nosebleeds. It should not be taken by persons with severe arrhythmias, hypotension, heart issues, people who have had a heart attack or stroke, or people who have liver issues.
