What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfuction, commonly referred to as ED, is the condition when a man is unable to get or maintain an erection strong enough for sex. Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction can cause stress in your relationship and can damage your self confidence. Although most men, at some point, have trouble getting an erection or maintaining, this is not the same thing as true ED, where erection difficulties are the norm. Erectile dysfunction becomes more common as men age. The good news is, in most instances, ED is treatable.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
The cause of erectile dysfunction may be psychological or physiological. Psychological factors include:
- Stress
- General anxiety
- Depression
- Guilt
- Performance anxiety
Since the erection is a hydraulic function, if ED is due to a physical issue, it’s usually centered on either circulation or nerve sensitivity. Physiological factors are varied. They include:
- Heart disease
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Neurogenic (stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.)
- Side effect of medication, such as anti-depressants
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Multiple sclerosis
- Kidney failure
Given the seriousness of many of these potential contributing factors, it’s important to seek the advice of your medical professional, if you have concerns about erectile dysfunction.
According to the Atlas of Clinical Urology, most causes of erectile dysfunction are circulatory. Approximately seventy percent of cases of ED are caused by vascular issues. This is followed by ED caused by pharmacological factors (10%) and operative side effects (10%).
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
The primary symptom of erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or maintain an erection that is strong enough for sex. However, some instances of erectile challenges are more prone to be true ED than others.
- If erectile difficulties only happen rarely — Chances are the problem isn’t serious. Remember, most men have trouble with erections at some point in their life.
- If your erectile difficulties get gradually worse and more persistent — There is likely a physiological cause causing your erectile dysfunction. You should seek the advice of a medical professional.
- If your erectile difficulties begin abruptly, but you still get earl morning erections and can become erect when masturbating — Chances are there is a psychological factor affecting your ED. Speak to a medical or psychological professional.
How do They Diagnose Erectile Dysfunction?
Because there are so many possible factors that can be the cause of erectile dysfunction, there are also several tests your doctor may use to help pinpoint the underlying problem. Blood work, urinalysis, ultrasound, and more are used to help find the reason behind your ED, including a full medical history, to determine if there are any possible medications messing with your sex life. Our doctor may also wish to speak to your partner, to help diagnose the problem. Read our article, Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction, for more details on the types of tests used to diagnose ED.
How do They Treat Erectile Dysfunction?
Treatment for ED caused by psychological issues is usually treated with therapy to address the underlying issues. For physiological factors causing erectile dysfunction, there are numerous medications available, depending on the specific factor at play. Common oral medications include: Viagra, Levitra, and Ciallis. There are also suppositories, injections, and other forms of medications, depending on what physical issue your doctor is trying to counter. Penis pumps, vascular surgery and penis implants are also treatment option. Please refer to our article, ED Treatment Options by Dr. Richard Howard II, for more details about how to treat erectile dysfunction.
