It Happens To Many Men When To Know If Its Erectile Dysfunction
You’ll hear it in movies and televisions shows, that phrase, “It happens to many men.” And you may think, okay, there’s nothing to worry about. But, how can you tell if you're experiencing symptoms of serious erectile dysfunction, which can affect your romantic life, lifestyle and relationships?
Identifying Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Knowing when to seek help starts with being able to admit that there is a problem. If you’re experiencing difficulty getting or maintaining an erection often enough that it has become a situation to fear when the mood arises, you may have a more serious problem than you think.
Erectile dysfunction affects approximately 40 percent of men by age 40. By age 70, erectile dysfunction has mildly to moderately affected 70 percent of men. However, the statistics of complete erectile dysfunction is much lower at around 5 percent in men aged 40. This statistic increases to 15 percent by age 70.
The presence of erectile dysfunction in your life may not be an indication of complete erectile dysfunction in the future.
Generally, if you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction at least once per month and you know it’s not associated with a psychological blockage, you should think about visiting a specialized doctor in ED.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
ED can be caused by a myriad of issues both medical and psychological. Generally, it is caused by insufficient blood flow to the penis, a lack of nerve supply or low hormone levels. What causes these things is a separate matter.
Medical Causes for ED
Many medical conditions can cause ED:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol)
- Obesity
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
Erectile dysfunction can be a result of injury or a side effect of medical treatment such as radiation therapy, surgical complications, and pelvic or spinal cord injuries. Additionally, ED can be caused by certain medications:
- Diuretics
- Drugs to control blood pressure, the nervous system or heart disease
- Antidepressants and anxiety medications
- Opioids
Psychological Causes of ED
On the other hand, there are certain psychological reasons for ED, such as extreme anxiety, guilt, shame, depression, childhood sexual trauma and fear of intimacy. These are all forms of psychological barriers that can be assisted with the help of a licensed mental health professional.
Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
There are various medications available for ED. Surgical implants also exist for those with complete erectile dysfunction. Men who speak with a urologist regarding their ED concerns will get a prescription for an erection if the concerns warrant one. These medications are meant to be ingested between 30 and 60 minutes before intimacy.
The most recognizable of ED medications is sildenafil, the blue-colored pill widely known as Viagra. There are other options available including vardenafil, avanafil and tadalafil, also known as Cialis.
As with all medical conditions, speak to a medical care professional for assistance and guidance with erectile dysfunction.
