The truth is that erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that affects men of all ages. However, as you age, your risk of developing ED increases. This is not only because erections take longer to develop, but also because other contributing factors may come into play. Physical issues such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking can all lead to ED.
On the other hand, depression, anxiety, stress, relationship problems, and other mental health issues can also interfere with sexual feelings and cause or worsen ED. That's why it's important to understand a person's physical and psychological state in order to identify the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction. Experts agree that ED is common and that the risk of developing it increases with age. Some studies suggest that ED is the most common form of sexual dysfunction affecting men.
It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will experience it to some degree. Erectile dysfunction is also known as impotence and is defined by difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection. More recently, it has been recognized that AIDS has been associated with autonomic neuropathy that can cause neurogenic erectile dysfunction. In 1979, Gebhard re-analyzed Kinsey's data and found that 42% of more than five thousand men admitted having difficulties with erection.
If you don't want to talk to your family doctor about ED, you can visit a genitourinary medicine clinic (GUM). As the number of vascular risk factors (such as smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes) increases, so does the likelihood of erectile dysfunction. Medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and depression can also cause erectile difficulties. The multidisciplinary approach included gerontologists, behavioral scientists, endocrinologists and doctors specializing in sexual dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is also thought to occur in up to 15-25% of people who suffer a serious head injury. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another form of counseling that may be useful if you have ED. Doctors also often use medications such as sildenafil (sold as Viagra) to treat erectile dysfunction. ED is a condition with profound psychological consequences and can interfere with men's general well-being, self-esteem and interpersonal relationships.
ED that only occurs when you try to have sex may suggest an underlying psychological (mental) cause. A year after quitting smoking, patients were found to have a 25% improvement in erection quality. Usually, the hardest part of diagnosing ED is overcoming the embarrassment that comes with talking about it. ED can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with your doctor, your partner, and your friends.
