What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction meaning is that if you find that you are incapable of getting an erection all the time or even if you do, you are inadequate to keep it up long enough to have sex, if so, you are already more than partially through to knowing the effects to what is erectile dysfunction and are you a sufferer? This disease is also known as ED. Erectile Dysfunction is also known as male impotence, and it is defined as:

‘A man having a consistent inability to achieve and sustain an erection enough for mutually satisfactory sexual intercourse with his partner.’

How common is erectile dysfunction?

ED is a common disease, affecting as many as 30 million American men. ED can happen at any age, but it is more common in men older than 75 years of age. 

About 5% of men that are 40 years old have complete ED, and that number grows to about 15% of men at age 70. Mild and moderate erectile dysfunction affects around one in 10 adult males will suffer from ED on a long-term basis.

Many men do experience occasional failure to achieve an erection, which can occur for a variety of reasons, such as drinking too much alcohol, stress, relationship problems, or from being extremely tired.

The Mechanics behind Erectile Dysfunction

During sexual arousal, nerves release chemicals that improve blood flow into the penis. Blood flows into two erection chambers in the penis, caused by spongy muscle tissue.

During an erection, the spongy tissue relaxes and traps blood. The blood force in the chambers makes the penis firm, causing an erection. When a man has an orgasm, the other set of tissue signals reaches the penis and causes the powerful tissues in the penis to contract, and blood is released back into a man's circulation, and the erection comes down.

Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

You may have erectile dysfunction if you usually have:

• Difficulty obtaining an erection
• Difficulty sustaining an erection during sexual activities
• Reduced interest in sex

Other sexual diseases related to ED include:

• Premature ejaculation
• Delayed ejaculation
• Anorgasmia, which is the inability to obtain orgasm after sufficient stimulation

You should discuss to your doctor if you have any of these signs, especially if they’ve lasted for two or more months. Your doctor can resolve if your sexual disorder is caused by an underlying situation that needs treatment.

What Is The Erectile Dysfunction Cause?

If you begin to notice that you are impotent, you would be asking yourself this question, what is the cause of impotence? The truth is that there is not just one reason for this. Different men suffer from impotence for various reasons.

Erectile Dysfunction can occur from health difficulties, emotional issues, or both. Here are some of the main causes of erectile dysfunction:

• Hypertension
• An increase in age
• Usage of drugs
• Cardiovascular disease
• Anxiety
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Relationship problems
• Hyperlipidemia
• Stress
• Alcoholism
• Obesity
• Injuries

Even though ED becomes more common as men age, growing old is not always going to cause ED. Some men stay sexually functional into their 80s. ED can be an initial symptom of more severe health difficulty. Finding and treating the reason for ED is an essential first step.

How is ED diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will inquire about your signs, medical history, and medications. He or she will examine your stomach, penis, and testicles. A rectal exam may also be done to verify for an enlarged prostate. Blood and urine tests are done to check for medical states that may have caused your ED. You may also need tests to check your blood flow and tissue function.

Preventing Erectile Dysfunction

There are many steps men can take to reduce their risk for erectile dysfunction, including:

• Quit smoking 
• Exercise regularly 
• Maintain a healthy weight and a healthy diet
• Limit or avoid the use of alcohol 
• Reduce stress 
• Get help for anxiety or depression 
• Stop drugs with harmful side effects
• Have regular check-ups with a necessary care physician to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Treatment depends on the cause of your ED. The good news is that there are many treatments for ED, and most men will find a solution that works for them. Treatments include:

ED medicines:

Drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors improve penile blood flow. These are the only oral agents approved in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration for the remedy of Erectile Dysfunction.

Sildenafil citrate (Viagra)

Vardenafil (Levitra)

Tadalafil (Cialis)

Avanafil (Stendra)

For best results, men with ED get these pills about an hour or two before having sex. The drugs want normal nerve function to the penis. PDE5 inhibitors improve on average erectile responses helping blood flow into the penis. Use these ED drugs as directed. About 7 out of 10 men do well and have more satisfying erections.

How should I take ED medications?

Follow your doctor’s directions. Usually, a man takes one tablet 30 minutes to 1 hour before he plans to have sex. Sildenafil works for 4-8 hours; Vardenafil works for up to 8 hours, and Tadalafil works for up to 36 hours.

You should not use more than one dose in 24 hours. 

Even if you use the pills, you still need physical and mental stimulation and desire to have an erection. If your first dose doesn’t help, ask your doctor. Your doctor may want to change your tablet strength.

Lifestyle changes:

Lose weight, exercise daily, maintain your medical health, stop smoking, and avoid alcohol and illegal drugs.

Testosterone:

May be given to improve the levels in your blood and improve your ED. You may require using a skin cream or wearing a patch. Testosterone is also offered as an injection.

Penis injections:

May be done to help increase your blood flow.

A vacuum device:

It is a tube that is placed over the penis. A hand pump is attached to the tube and acts as a vacuum. This may help improve blood flow to the penis.

Therapy:

It may be needed to treat emotional or relationship problems that may be causing your ED.

Surgery:

It may be prescribed if other treatments do not work. Surgery involves a penile implant or prosthesis. Surgery may also be done to improve blood flow. Ask for more news about surgeries for ED.

Erectile Dysfunction Myths

There are a great number of myths that surround ED, such as:

• Once you have ED, you can do nothing about it. You have to live the rest of your life being impotent.
• Impotence is just a part of you growing old, and you have to get used to it.
• If you are young, you cannot be impotent.
• ED is not at all serious.
• You are just not attracted to your partner; that is why you are impotent.

Discussing Erectile Dysfunction with Your Partner

It's natural to feel angry or embarrassed when faced with erectile dysfunction. Remember, too that your partner is also interested. Talking openly about erectile dysfunction with your partner will help them understand the diagnosis and treatment choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know my ED is physical and not mental?

It's difficult to know. Health providers now recognize that most men have an underlying physical cause of ED. For most patients, there are both physical and emotional factors that affect ED. It is impossible to prove that there is no psychological part of a man's ED.

2. Is erectile dysfunction is curable?

In many cases, yes, erectile dysfunction can be reversed. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found a remission rate of 29 percent after five years. It is essential to note that even when the ED cannot be cured, the right treatment can reduce or reduce symptoms.

3. Is erectile dysfunction just a part of old age?

ED doesn’t have to be a part of growing older. It’s true that as you get older, you may need more stimulation (such as stroking and touching) to get an erection. You might also need more time between erections. But older men should still be able to get an erection and enjoy sex.