Erection problems can be an indication of an underlying health condition that needs treatment. Sexual dysfunction can be a result of problems with hormones, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels.
What is ED, or what is erectile dysfunction? ED (erectile dysfunction) is defined as the persistent inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Erectile dysfunction symptoms might include constant difficulty getting an erection, reduced sexual desire, and trouble keeping an erection.
Erectile dysfunction or ED is a common sexual dysfunction of males associated with a reduced quality of life for sufferers and their partners. It is known as the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for satisfactory intercourse. Erection requires dilation of penile muscles, corporal smooth muscle relaxation, increased blood flow, and a normal veno-occlusive function. Erectile dysfunction symptoms differ from person to person. Some people will occasionally experience some difficulty in their penis becoming hard or staying firm. Sexual dysfunction may affect up to 20 million Americans. Its prevalence is over 50% in those over 50 years of age and increases with a man’s age. In general, EDC can be affected by problems with an individual’s blood circulation, nervous system and hormone levels. Some people may also have trouble getting an erection due to psychological factors such as anxiety or depression.
Causes of ED
Causes of a new and persistent condition are usually physical. Rarely it happens when a man has never achieved an erection. In this case, the cause may be psychological or the result of a physical condition. A man should consult a urologist who is an expert in dealing with sexual issues in men. It is important to take medical advice when you experience a persistent erection, as an underlying medical condition could be causing it. A proper diagnosis can help address any underlying medical problems and help resolve sexual dysfunctions. Some most common erectile dysfunction physical causes include heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, high cholesterol, hormonal disorders, smoking, alcohol use, or treatment of prostate disease. Atherosclerosis is often associated with blood circulation issues. It causes narrowing of arteries in the penis, preventing the blood flow required to produce an erection. Numerous prescription drugs can also cause erection issues in men. A person taking prescription medicines should discuss with his doctor before stopping or changing the drug. Certain drugs that may cause erection issues in men include drugs to treat high blood pressure, heart medications, antidepressants, anxiety treatments, opioid painkillers, cancer medications, hormonal drugs, and anticholinergics.
Psychological factors can contribute to sexual dysfunction in men. These factors may range from mental health illnesses to everyday emotional states that most people experience at some point in their life. However, psychological factors are less common than physical causes. These factors include depression, general anxiety and fear of intimacy. According to research studies, sexual performance anxiety affects 9 to 25% of people. Such people cannot attain an erection due to sexual performance anxiety, a common psychological factor in people with ED.
If a person has obesity, blood flow can affect his ability to maintain a firm erection, a physical cause. Sometimes, a man may have low self-esteem, which hampers his sexual health. This is psychological erectile dysfunction cause.
Diagnosis is important
In most cases, people recognize something interfering with their sexual intimacy. Their health care provider usually begins with a complete history of erectile dysfunction symptoms and a physical analysis. They may conduct certain diagnostic tests to rule out the medical condition contributing to erectile dysfunction symptoms. In general, lab testing plays a limited role in diagnosing a medical condition. A physical examination, an evaluation of attitudes about sex, and other possible contributing factors such as fear, anxiety, past trauma, sexual abuse, relationship issues, medications, alcohol use, smoking, drug abuse, etc., help a physician understand the underlying causes. This way, he may be able to decide and recommend the right treatment.
Treatment is possible
Most types of erection issues can be addressed by treating the underlying physical or psychological disorder. Other sexual dysfunction treatment strategies include:
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Medications – When a medication is behind your ED, stopping the treatment or change pin the medication can help. Men with hormone deficiencies may benefit from hormone shots or erectile dysfunction medicines. Drugs such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil may help improve erectile function in men.
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Sex therapy – Sex therapists are the kind of counsellors that can help address your sexual relationship issues. For the couple who wish to begin enjoying their sexual life, it is well worth it to safe time to work with such trained professionals.
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Psychotherapy – A psychotherapist can help you address sexual abuse from the past, fear, depression, feeling of anxiety, guilt, poor body image etc. All these factors may affect sexual function in men.
Sexual dysfunction is purely treatable. The success of treatment usually depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Here, it is important to note that mild issues related to fear, stress, or anxiety can be successfully treated with education, counselling, and improved relationships between partners. To improve your sexual health, it is important to play an active role in keeping your health in a good state, and this you can do in collaboration with your health care expert.
Conclusion
Erectile dysfunction mainly affects men older than 40 years of age and is commonly defined as the inability to attain and maintain an erection. Erectile dysfunction causes include trouble getting an erection and reduced sexual desire. Erectile dysfunction causes range from physical to physical to psychological factors. Most of the time, these can be treated under the guidance of a medical expert.
