The Truth About Erectile Dysfunction

First, let’s get a few facts straight: 

Studies say it affects nearly 18 million men over the age of 20. 

While it becomes more common as you age, it affects men of all ages. 

The issue can be emotional or psychological as well as physical. 

Forty percent of men report experiencing it at one time or another before the age of 40. 

While millions of men experience it, very few seek treatment for it. 

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not usually a common topic of conversation outside of the people in the relationship that it is affecting. Separating the facts from the fiction when it comes to ED can be a difficult task as men often find the subject embarrassing to discuss with professionals who can help. However, turning to the experts can help you get over the frustrating experience and work toward a plan that will return you to a normal sex life.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

ED is defined as the inability to get or keep an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. To understand what is going on when an erection is not happening, you have to understand what’s going on when it does. 

When a man experiences arousal, the brain sends signals to the blood vessels found in the penis causing them to dilate. Blood can then enter and remain in the penis causing pressure that traps the blood in the penis. Due to this pressure, the penis becomes erect. However, if blood flow to the penis is insufficient or there is insufficient pressure to trap it in the penis, an erection becomes impossible. 

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

Contrary to popular myth, the male arousal is a complicated process, so pinpointing the exact cause of ED can be a difficult challenge. Arousal begins in the brain, but nerves, blood vessels, and certain muscle groups can be involved as well. Erections can also be affected by hormones, emotion, diet, and several underlying health issues. However, for the most part, reasons for ED can be put into one of two categories: Physical and Emotional

Physical Causes 

There are many physical things that can be happening in the body to cause ED. Just some of the more common physical factors include:

  • Heart disease

  • Obesity

  • Diabetes

  • Low testosterone levels

  • High blood pressure

  • Certain prescription medications

  • Nerve signal issues

Lifestyle choices can also increase your chance of experiencing ED because of the physical toll they take on the body. Some of these include smoking, drug use, and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. 

Emotional Causes

It was once thought that ED was caused entirely by emotional psychological factors. While modern medicine has proven it can be caused by physical problems as well, the emotional component is still very much at play. It can be so complicated that the physical causes of ED can affect you emotionally which worsens ED. 

Stress, depression, and anxiety can all have a major effect on the male sex drive and cause ED. The emotional cause is especially prevalent in men under the age of 40. 

Figuring out the cause of ED might be stressful in and of itself; however, not treating the underlying physical or emotional (or both!) problems that are causing it can lead to more stress, depression, and relationship problems.

How Can ED Be Treated?

The first step to getting your normal sex life back is to seek the help of medical professionals. A doctor will be able to rule out any big underlying medical issues that may be lurking before they begin to chip away at any other benign causes. 

There are two main courses of treatment for ED depending on whether you need to be treated physically or psychologically: Medication and talk therapy.

Medication that stimulates blood flow and relieves the symptoms of ED can be prescribed. These oral medications include commonly known names like Viagra and Cialis. Other medications can be administered through penile suppositories or via an injection at the base of the penis. 

The bottom line is that you need to discuss your options carefully with your healthcare provider. They can help you find the course of treatment that is best for you that will have the most success and least amount of side effects. 

Talk therapy can also be beneficial if your ED is being caused by, or is creating, anxiety, stress, or depression. Many men with ED benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy as well, which helps them identify attitudes about sex, negative things that can trigger anxiety, and relationship issues that are causing a strain on your sex life. 

Knowing some of the facts and debunking some of the myths around ED is the first step toward reclaiming your sex life. Your second step is to contact a healthcare professional who specializes in helping men with Erectile Dysfunction. The experts at Norman Urology Associates are just the people you need to help you discover the underlying causes of your ED and the steps that are right for you in overcoming it.