Erectile dysfunction is the inability or difficulty to have or sustain an erection of the penis that leads to a satisfactory sexual relationship. It is also referred to as impotence. Erectile dysfunction is very prevalent and grows with age. If it occurs often, you should consult a doctor.
What are the symptoms?
The primary symptom of erectile dysfunction is a change in the quality of the erection. If the reason is physical, you typically have the inability to get an erection upon waking up in the morning. Erectile dysfunction can impact both your ability to get an erection and how long an erection lasts.
Erectile dysfunction may also include a loss of sexual desire.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
There are numerous causes of erectile dysfunction, including:
Physical causes – like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, side effects of medicine, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, hormonal issues, and sleep disorders.
Psychological causes – like stress, anxiety, depression, or problems in your relationship.
Erectile dysfunction can also follow treatment, including surgery to the spinal cord or prostate.
Your risk of being affected by erectile dysfunction increases with age
What is the usual age for erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction increases with age. It has been observed that about 40 per cent of men are impacted at age 40 and close to 70 per cent of men are affected in their seventies.
Can erectile dysfunction be prevented?
You can’t always prevent erectile dysfunction, but you can lower your risk by:
quitting smoking;
having a healthy weight;
getting regular exercise.
How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
In most instances, diagnosis is just a matter of asking you about your symptoms and when they began. In case the doctor suspects a physical cause that requires investigation, they may refer you for follow-up tests, including blood tests or an ultrasound.
How can you fix erectile dysfunction?
Treatment is based on whether there is a cause – addressing the cause should help symptoms.
Aside from this the most common treatment for erectile dysfunction is drugs, which are readily available and effective in helping to get an erection more easily. If the issue is low testosterone levels, your treatment might include hormone replacement therapy.
If drugs don’t work, other treatments are:
penis pumps – this might not be available from your doctor directly
penile implants – an operation to insert rods that assist you in controlling your erections
If the issue is psychological, there are several types of therapies you can have, including:
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)