Men’s Health Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Erectile dysfunction is a widespread condition in males over 40 years of age all over the world. It has numerous causes and is often treatable. Left and treated, it can be the source of severe emotional stress to both patients and partners. 

What is Erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is when a man cannot achieve or maintain an erection that allows sexual insertion with penetration. It is not a disease but a symptom of psychological or physical problems or a mixture of both. Physical, emotional, and relationship factors greatly impact the prevalence of one or more sexual issues. In addition, increasing age was more consistently associated with sexual problems among men. However, with increasing age, psychological and relationship issues may also influence their sexual satisfaction and performance. ED can be a symptom of a wide range of underlying pathologies and is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Any medical condition that affects penile arteries, hormone levels, nerves, and smooth muscles can affect erectile function. It is generally acknowledged that ED is closely associated with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, among other disorders.

Physiology and Causes

It is important to note that the cause of ED is often multifactorial. It is determined early whether the condition has an underlying psychological cause or an organic etiology. Performance anxiety, depression, and other sexual problems can be strong contributing factors, even in the presence of organic factors. Aging is an important factor leading to erection issues in men. As patients age, cardiovascular disorders, high blood pressure, and other co-morbidities play a significant role in this condition. Also, diabetes and other metabolic syndrome can affect the organ system, contributing to erectile dysfunction deterioration. In men with diabetes, the commonest causes of ED are diseases of the blood vessels and nerve damage (often in combination). Other causes of erectile dysfunction include:

• Neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis
• Hormonal causes such as hypogonadism, thyroid
• Traumatic (spinal cord injuries, pelvic fractures)
• Sleep apnea, stroke
• Hyperlipidemia
• COPD
• Prostatic hyperplasia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Glaucoma
• Lower urinary symptoms (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH with LUTS

Various medications include antihypertensive agents, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, and recreational drugs). Some prostate, bladder, or bowel cancer operations may lead to nerve damage, ultimately causing the erection problem. Those who smoke or drink are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction.  

What can you do about the problem?

While most patients with ED will have organic disease, some may have a primary psychological issue, particularly younger men. Even when the underlying cause is organic, ED has almost always psychological consequences regarding relationship issues, loss of self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, among others. ED can cause emotional damage, not only to the patient but also to their partner. There is a significant impact on their overall quality of life. Fortunately, erection problems are almost treatable.

It is important to share your concerns with your healthcare specialist so they can advise you of any required medical tests. If possible, you should include your partner in the discussions to allow you to work through your concerns together. There are some simple tests that your healthcare specialist can conduct. These tests include blood tests to measure your lipids, blood sugar, early morning fasting testosterone levels, and blood pressure. Blood tests should be carried out first thing in the morning, and you should be starved from the night before.

Managing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and maintaining a healthy weight are effective starting points in treating erectile dysfunction. Once your healthcare specialist does the assessment, other treatment options can be discussed with your healthcare specialist.   

What treatments are available?

It is up to you and your sexual partner to decide what treatment you choose. Your healthcare expert will prescribe the most appropriate treatment for you. It is now possible for patients with erectile dysfunction to be prescribed sildenafil by their general practitioner. If required, this will allow you to begin treatment before attending a health care specialist’s service. Some men need counseling and will be referred to a specialist. Counseling can also be a part of the medicinal treatment regimen.  

Conclusion

Psychological impotence or erectile dysfunction is nowadays quite a common yet misunderstood disorder. People often cannot detect it properly and mistakenly think of it as physical impotence. Psychological issues are the root cause of psychological impotence. Most of the time, this kind of impotence is curable. In some people, a combination of physical and psychological factors contributes to erection issues in men. Sometimes, there is no clear reason for the problem. Therefore, it is important to seek medical advice to overcome this condition.