Definition:
Erectile dysfunction is a medical condition which affects men of all ages, and is manifested through an inability to attain or sustain an erection for sufficient periods of time, in order to perform a satisfactory sexual act. Erectile dysfunction is generally classified into three types, namely mild, moderate and severe. The last type is also commonly referred to as male impotence.
Symptoms:
The most obvious symptom of erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection, or to sustain an already achieved one. While it's normal for men to be unable to get an erection from time to time, for example when anxious or depressed, if this occurs too frequently, it may be an indication of a medical condition that requires treatment and special attention.
Causes:
An erection depends on a few main factors, mainly a properly working nervous system, in order to transmit the nervous impulses from the brain to the appropriate parts of the body where sexual arousal occurs. Also, you'll need to have a good blood circulation, since blood is what fills the penis and causes it to become erect. There are many factors which can attribute to the development of ED, those include:
- Physical disorders: many diseases can cause ED, such as diabetes, blood pressure and nervous system disorders, hormonal disorders, heart diseases, liver and kidney malfunction, as well as various injuries caused by accidents.
- Psychological disorders: the state of your mind can have a huge impact on your sexual performance. Whether or not you're depressed, anxious, worried, or any other such negative conditions, can impact your ability to get an erection.
- Lifestyle: the way you live can greatly determine your ability to get an erection. Smoking and drinking, as well as drug abuse, can impair your erection and cause you trouble in achieving it. In fact, smoking has been known to hugely attribute to ED, since it constricts your blood vessels and worsens your blood circulation.
Treatment:
Medical science has come up with numerous ways to treat erectile dysfunction. The effectiveness of some has been tried and proven, but some are still undergoing disputes about whether or not they're suitable. Some examples of ED treatments include:
- Prescription medications: As of currently, the most effective way to treat the condition is to use certain prescription medications designed for this purpose. The main three brands in this area are Viagra (sildenafil citrate), Cialis (tadalafil), and Levitra (vardenafil HCl). Take note though, those medications are quite strong and can have various effects on you, so it's always advised to consult a doctor before using them.
- Penis pumps (aka vacuum pumps): this is a mechanical device, which works by trapping your penis inside a plastic, airtight tube. You then suck the air out of the tube, creating vacuum around your penis, which in turn increases the blood flow to it. This gives a temporary erection, but has numerous disadvantages - it can be uncomfortable and even painful, excessive pumping can burst your penis's blood vessels, which can cause permanent damage, and last but not least, the erection just doesn't feel natural and real, which defeats the entire purpose.
- Surgery: complex surgical procedures can be used to combat erectile dysfunction. The most commonly used technique is to insert a device in the penis, called a "penile prosthesis". This device is inflatable, with a discrete valve which can be used to inflate or deflate it, using a special liquid. This way, the user can attain an erection on demand, reliably and easily. However, people tend to avoid this course of treatment, as it's expensive and also risky.
- Herbal medicine: various herbs are claimed to be useful in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The Internet is full of offers for such drugs. The truth is, none of these have been proven to be effective, especially the ones claiming to be a "herbal Viagra". There's no such thing as a herbal substitute for Viagra, and you should avoid anyone offering you something like that.
Facts:
- Erectile dysfunction is one of the most commonly experienced disorders in men (Source: WHO)
- Roughly 40% of men in their 40s suffer from one or more forms of erectile dysfunction (Source: WHO)
- Erectile dysfunction is a condition which affects men of all ages. While numbers indicate a higher prevalence in older patients, young ones experience it just alike and are subject to the condition.
- If you have, or suspect you might have erectile dysfunction, just relax, take it easy, and pick an appropriate time to discuss it with your doctor and partner. There's nothing you should be embarrassed about, and the worst course of action is to just do nothing.
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