Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition in which you are unable to get or keep an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse. You may find it difficult to talk with a health care professional about ED. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex and ejacul*tion. (source)
Unfortunately, many men are reluctant to report erectile dysfunction (ED) to their partner, or physician, due to social stigmas associated with bedroom performance. ED, or the inability to maintain an erection, is much more common than the general population may realize and has a lot to do with men’s health.
A Johns Hopkins study revealed that over 18 million men in the U.S. over the age of 20 experience difficulties having and maintaining an erection.
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
Erectile dysfunction, sometimes referred to as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Occasional difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection are common and may not be a cause for concern.
However, when the issue becomes persistent, it’s crucial to address it.
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
The primary symptom of ED is the inability to get and maintain an erection. Other symptoms may include:
- Reduced sexual desire.
- Difficulty achieving an erection, even with sexual stimulation.
- Inability to sustain an erection for the duration of sexual activity.
If you experience these symptoms regularly, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider.
How Do Erection Is Made?
Some known risk factors are:
- Being over age 50
- Having high blood sugar (Diabetes)
- Having high blood pressure
- Having cardiovascular disease
- Having high cholesterol
- Smoking
- Using drugs or drinking too much alcohol
- Being obese
- Lacking exercise
Read also: How Often Should a Man ejacul*te: Health Benefits of ejacul*tion
Common Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
ED can have various underlying causes, which may be physical, psychological, or a combination of both:
Physical Causes:
- Vascular Issues: Conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis can restrict blood flow to the penis.
- Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis can interfere with nerve signals between the brain and the penis.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Low testosterone levels can contribute to ED.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as antidepressants and antihypertensives, can have ED as a side effect.
- Peyronie’s Disease: The development of scar tissue inside the penis can lead to curvature and difficulties with erections.
- Chronic Illnesses: Conditions like diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, affecting erectile function.
Physiological Causes
Physiological causes of erectile dysfunction stem from physical factors affecting blood flow, nerve function, or hormone levels.
Common physiological causes include:- Abuse of alcohol or drugs
- Blood vessel injuries or diseases
- Diabetes
- Hormone level issues, like low testosterone
- Neurological system injuries
- Pelvic area injuries
- Medications that affect neurological function or blood flow
- Exposure of the pelvic region to radiation
- Psychological Causes:
- Stress and Anxiety: Performance anxiety or stress can lead to temporary ED.
- Depression: Mental health issues can affect sexual function.
- Relationship Problems: Conflicts or dissatisfaction within a relationship can contribute to ED.
Other causes:
- Heart disease
- Clogged blood vessels(atherosclerosis)
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Certain prescription medications
- Tobacco use
- Peyronie’s disease
- Alcoholism and substance abuse
- Sleep disorders
- Prostate cancer treatmentsor surgeries
- Injuries affecting the pelvic area or spinal cord
- Low testosterone
Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction
The good news is that erectile dysfunction is treatable, and several options are available:
Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly improve ED. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol intake.
Psychotherapy: If psychological factors are contributing to ED, therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be highly effective.
Medications: Several oral medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra), are FDA-approved for treating ED.
Vacuum Devices: These devices create a vacuum around the penis, drawing blood into the area to produce an erection.
Penile Implants: Surgical implants can provide a long-lasting solution for severe cases of ED.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy: If low testosterone is a contributing factor, hormone replacement therapy may be recommended.
Conclusion
Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that affects many men at some point in their lives.
Understanding its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options is the first step toward seeking help and regaining sexual confidence. If you or a loved one is experiencing persistent ED, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider. With the right guidance and treatment, ED can be successfully managed, allowing for a fulfilling and satisfying sex life.
Many men refuse to live with ED but take the wrong approach to solve the problem. One risky approach to treating erectile dysfunction is to takemale enhancement pills. Suchmale enhancement pillscan have seriousside effects, according toHealthline, which may include:
- Indigestion
- Changes in vision or complete vision loss
- Priapism, or an erection lasting more than four hours
- Aches and pains throughout the body
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Flushed skin or rashes
GAINSWave Treats the Root Cause of ED:
GAINSWave®, the clinically proven, non-invasive therapy, was specifically developed for men seeking an erectile dysfunction treatment that would improve their sexual performance.
The pulsating waves of GAINSWave improves blood flow to the penis by dissolving plaque build-up and stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. The improvement results in stronger, harder, and more sustainable erections.
The pulsating waves also trigger a healing response that “wakes-up” dormant stem cells and growth factors in the penis for an overall rejuvenation of male erectile tissue.
With this alternative ED treatment, there are no expensive prescriptions to remember to take or refill, and no penile implants or surgery. There are none of the harmful side effects with this ED treatment as with oral drugs.
GAINSWave therapy is effective and safe for men who cannot take oral ED medicine, such as those with heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. GAINSWave can be used to treat Peyronie’s Disease, which Viagra and other oral ED drugs cannot.
What Questions Should I Ask My Health Care Provider
- What is ED?
- What causes ED? Can it be prevented?
- Can you help me with ED, or do I need to see a specialist? If I need a specialist (Urologist), do you have a referral for me?
- What tests do you suggest to find the cause of my ED, and why?
- Can you check my heart and blood health?
- Are there any lifestyle changes that could help my symptoms?
- What types of treatments are available?
- What treatment do you suggest for me and why?
- What are the pros and cons of each type of treatment you suggest?
- What are the side effects?
- What happens if the first treatment doesn’t help
See if you are a candidate for this kind of treatment and get started.
What are symptoms of ED?
Erectile Dysfunction(ED), also known as impotence, is a type of male sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to maintain an erection long enough and firm enough for sexual intercourse.
What causes ED?
The most common cause of ED is a lack of flowing blood to erectile tissue. Plaque and damaged vessels can restrict circulation enough to disrupt function. Also hormonal imbalances, obesity or lack of physical activity,alcohol consumption,sleep apnea, Peyronie’s disease.
What does ED mean?
“ED” typically refers to “Erectile Dysfunction.” Erectile Dysfunction is a medical condition characterized by the consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. It can be a temporary or persistent issue and can have physical, psychological, or a combination of causes.
Is ED a mental illness?
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is not classified as a mental illness. Instead, it is primarily considered a physical or medical condition with potential psychological and emotional implications. ED is defined as the consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
Can a man with ED get hard?
Can a man with ED get hard?
A man with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) may experience difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection, but the ability to get and maintain an erection can vary depending on the individual and the underlying causes of their ED. Treatment options are available, including medications, lifestyle changes, and therapies, to help improve erectile function in many cases.
What is the best ED treatment?
GAINSWave®, the clinically proven, non-invasive therapy, was specifically developed for men seeking an erectile dysfunction treatment that would improve their sexual performance.
The pulsating waves of GAINSWave improves blood flow to the penis by dissolving plaque build-up and stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. The improvement results in stronger, harder, and more sustainable erections.
What is GAINSWave?
GAINSWave® therapy is a specific form of shockwavetherapy treatmentfor erectile dysfunction. The treatment can deliver a number of positive effects, including the growth of new blood vessels as well as new tissue, ultimately resulting in longer-lasting erections.
Why do people get ED?
Why do people get an ED?
Erectile Dysfunction (ED): People can develop Erectile Dysfunction due to various factors, including physical causes such as vascular issues, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, certain medications, and chronic illnesses. Psychological factors like stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems can also contribute to ED.
How do I know my ED is physical and not mental?
It’s hard to know. Health providers now realize that most men have an underlying physical cause of ED. For most patients, there are both physical and emotional factors that lead to ED. It is impossible to prove that there is no psychological part to a man’s ED.
If I worry about being able to get an erection, can I make a bad condition worse?
Nothing happens in the body without the brain. Worrying about your ability to get an erection can make it difficult to get one. This is called performance anxiety and can be overcome with education and treatment.
I was fine until I began taking this new drug, what should I do?
Never stop or change a prescription medication without first talking with your health care provider.
Many drugs can cause ED, but some cannot be changed because the drug’s benefits are too important for you. If you feel sure that a specific drug has caused the ED problem, ask your health care provider if you can change drugs. If you must stay on the drug that is causing the problem, there are ED treatments that can help.
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