What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is referred as the inability of the men to get an erection firmly while experiencing sexual intercourse. It is also referred as impotence. It can be related to various reasons. Men experience this during the time of stress. Other emotional and relationship difficulties are also the main causes of experiencing ED. It doesn’t necessarily connect to all of the sexual problems. There can be other forms of dysfunctions as well which are observed in men like premature ejaculation, lack of interest in sex and delayed or absent ejaculation. It becomes really problematic when the individual is experiencing the same difficulty on a regular basis which compelled him to stay away from the sexual intercourse to avoid the embarrassment it might cause in front of his partner. While it is also possible for few men to become erect occasionally. On the other hand, there are few who can’t stand an erect which is sufficient for the intercourse. It doesn’t necessarily make men infertile because some can still be able to have an orgasm and become a father. It just becomes really difficult for them to sustain an erection consecutively.

How Common Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is different for different individuals. Some may experience complete impotence while others just show unsatisfactory performance. Considering the overall range of erectile dysfunction, it is reported that there are 15 to 30 million men who are experiencing it. It does include the factor of age because with the passing years the men need even more stimulation and time although old men still continue to manage and enjoy the intercourse. The probability of experiencing ED increases with the passing years. 15-25% of 65 years old men experience this problem during the intercourse. It can also be related to any physical cause like the excessive use of drugs or any physical injury. Both physical and mental conditions are associated with erectile dysfunction and can increase the likelihood for men to experience it. A large number of young men are also being affected by the ED but it is reported to be more common in old men. 50% of 50 years old men and 60% of 60 years old men are reported to have mild ED. A study by Journal of sexual medicines presented the different point of view and suggested that it is more common in young adults as 26% of adult men who are under 40 are being affected by ED. And out of those 26%, more than half are suffering from the severe symptoms of ED which lead to impotence as well. It can also happen because young adults are more likely to use the drugs and smoke than old men. All of the reasons and factors are associated with each other which make it a little difficult for the researchers to give proper number to the categories of different ages.

What Are The Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction?

Having experienced erectile dysfunction for a longer period of time can really be an early warning sign for the poor physical and mental health condition. So, the causes of erectile dysfunction can be both physical and mental. Male sexual arousal is a complex process which includes a lot of factors like brain, emotions, hormones, blood vessels, muscles, stress and anxiety. Sometimes the combination of various physical and psychological factors can become a cause of ED. Just because of a minor bad physical condition one can experience the symptoms of mild ED which can cause anxiety and stress in the individual and it can furthermore worsen the ED. The common physical causes of Erectile dysfunction are heart disease, clogged blood vessels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, certain prescribed medications, use of nicotine and tobacco, Peyronie’s disease, use of alcohol and other substance abuse, treatment of prostate cancer, sleep disorders and the different surgeries and injuries which affect the spinal cord or pelvic area. There can be either one physical cause or the various deadly combinations of different physical causes which can lead to ED. When it comes to psychological causes it involves the brain which is the main part of the body and has the power to trigger all kind of emotions and feelings. The brain can interfere with the natural sexual feelings or excitement by making the ED even worse than before. Depression, anxiety, stress and other mental conditions are really damaging for the individual. Other relationship problems and poor communication are also a source of distress. Such mental conditions can trigger all kind of negative feelings which can really make the ED even more severe and unavoidable. A feeling of constant embarrassment, unsatisfactory sex life, relationship problems and the inability to make your partner pregnant can have a really very bad effect on the self-esteem of a man which can cause problems in performing even the daily tasks of the routine life or work life.

What Are The Treatment Options Available For Erectile Dysfunction?

After the right diagnosis, the treatment should be carried out with the consultation of an expert. The treatment options are dependent on the severity and underlying conditions of ED. Oral medication is considered to be a valid treatment option available for the sufferers of ED. Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Avanafil and Vardenafil are used to enhance the natural chemical in the body which relaxes the muscles of the penis. Sildenafil is the most common among others. It was originally made for the treatment of blood pressure but lately in 1990s it was approved for the treatment of ED as well. It starts working after 15 to 30 minutes and its effect lasts for 3 to 5 hours after consumption. It really helps by increasing the blood flow in the penis. Tadalfil is the most long-lasting medicine which affects the same way as Sildenafil does. Its brand name is Cialis and it can last for 36 hours after the consumption. Verdinafil was introduced in 2000s to work as an alternative of Sildenafil. It starts working an hour after the consumption and can last for 5 to 8 hours. It is considered to be very strong medicine which is why it is taken in smaller amount than Sildenafil. There are many side effects associated with oral medications as well like stomach upset, nausea, headaches, visual changes, heartburn, flushed skin and many others. There are other medications as well like Alprostadil self-injection, Alprostadil urethral suppository and testosterone replacement. Alprostadil self-injection is the method in which the needle in injected into the base of penis. Its effect last no longer than an hour until an erection occurs. Alprostadil urethral suppository is the process in which a tiny Alprostadil is suppository is placed inside the penis due to which the erection can start within 10 minutes and lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. While Testosterone replacement in a method which is used when the person is experiencing ED due to the low level of testosterone. If medications are proved to be ineffective in some cases then there are also other options available for the treatment like the use of penis pumps, surgery and implants. Moreover, exercise and psychological therapy can be equally helpful in eliminating the effects of psychological causes.