In many cases, yes, erectile dysfunction can be reversed. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found a 29 percent referral rate after 5 years. It's important to note that even when erectile dysfunction can't be cured, proper treatment can reduce or eliminate symptoms. Treatments for erectile dysfunction are usually effective and the problem usually goes away.Erectile dysfunction (ED) can last from a few months to years.
Depending on the underlying cause, you may have ED for the rest of your life. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), erection problems must occur for at least six months to be counted as erectile dysfunction. ED is the most common sexual problem that men report to their doctor, affecting 30 million men.Fortunately, even as we age, there are still plenty of ways to stay in the game and enjoy it. That's as true for sex as it is for sports.
Many of the health problems associated with heart disease and stroke are also associated with ED, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. A pump at the other end of the tube produces a low-pressure vacuum around the erectile tissue, resulting in an erection. There are several underlying medical conditions that can trigger ED, and other factors, such as stress, depression, or anxiety, can worsen it. The reason for the connection between ED and conditions such as heart disease is often due to problems with the inner lining of blood vessels, called endothelium, and smooth muscle.However, if ED is an ongoing problem, it can cause stress, affect self-confidence, and contribute to relationship problems.
Research suggests that the sooner a man experiences ED that is not due to psychological factors, the more likely it has been hidden, sometimes called hidden endothelial dysfunction, and the more likely he is to experience something like a heart attack in the future. In men who have no other health problems and where a specific cause of ED cannot be identified, medications such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil or avanafil can often successfully treat ED. The Sex Counseling Association has fact sheets on medications and other treatments for ED. Doctors also often use medications such as sildenafil (sold as Viagra) to treat ED.Evaluating and treating ED is important not only for your sexual health but it can also benefit your overall long-term health.
Your husband should see his healthcare provider for testing for these and other similar conditions as a first step in identifying the possible cause of ED. Endothelial dysfunction causes insufficient blood supply to the heart and impaired blood flow to the penis. Qualify as ED only when it happens to you frequently or when it gets progressively worse. More than 50% of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 report some level of ED.
