Erectile Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

It can be a source of stress, relationship tension, and low self-confidence. The main symptom of erectile dysfunction (ED) is a man's inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough to have sex. Patients suffering from ED should first be evaluated for any underlying physical and psychological conditions. If treatment for underlying conditions doesn't help, medications and assistive devices, such as pumps, may be prescribed.

The Massachusetts Male Aging Study surveyed 1,709 men aged 40 to 70 between 1987 and 1989 and found that there was a total prevalence of erectile dysfunction of 52 percent. It was estimated that in 1995, more than 152 million men worldwide experienced ED. By 2025, the prevalence of ED is expected to be approximately 322 million worldwide. Estimates suggest that one in 10 men will suffer from ED at some point in their life.

It's important to understand that in most cases, ED is a symptom of another underlying problem. ED is not considered normal at any age and may be associated with other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse, such as lack of desire and problems with orgasm and ejaculation.The final aspect of treatment depends on the cause and severity of the ED, as well as any underlying health conditions that may be present. Controllable risk factors for arteriosclerosis (overweight, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking) can cause erectile failure, often before it progresses and affects the heart.ED itself is often related to an underlying problem, such as heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, or other medical conditions. Decreased blood flow, usually because the vessels that supply blood to the penis have become narrowed, is usually the cause of ED in older men.Usually, the hardest part of diagnosing ED is overcoming the embarrassment that comes with talking about it.

That's why it's important to understand a person's physical and psychological state to know the underlying cause of ED. It's essential to talk about ED with your doctor even if you feel embarrassed because there are several ways to treat ED effectively. Physical problems such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking can cause ED. Diabetes, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, heavy metal poisoning, spinal cord and nerve damage, and nerve damage from pelvic operations can also cause ED.

The bottom line is that if you suffer from ED you should talk about it with your doctor because there are several ways to treat it effectively.

Bridget Lauby
Bridget Lauby

Extreme bacon fanatic. Extreme bacon geek. Freelance music evangelist. Hipster-friendly pizza expert. Hardcore twitter trailblazer. Friendly social media expert.