What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the most common sexual problem that men report to their doctor. It affects about 30 million men. ED is defined as difficulty getting or maintaining an erection hard enough for sex.

While it is not uncommon for a man to experience erectile problems from time to time, ED that is progressive or occurs regularly during sex is not normal and should be treated.

ED can occur:

Mostly when blood flow to the penis is restricted or nerves are damaged
For stressful or emotional reasons, As an early warning of more serious conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening or blockage of blood vessels), heart disease, high blood pressure, or high blood sugar due to diabetes

Finding the cause of your ED will help address the problem and improve your overall well-being. As a general rule, what is good for your heart health is also good for your sexual health.

How do erections work?

During sexual arousal, nerves release chemicals that increase blood flow to the penis. Blood flows into the two erectile chambers in the penis, consisting of spongy muscle tissue (corpus cavernosum). The spaces of the erectile tissue are not hollow.

During an erection, the spongy tissue relaxes and traps blood. The blood pressure in the chambers makes the penis hard and causes an erection. When a man has an orgasm, the second series of nerve signals reach the penis, causing the muscle tissue in the penis to contract, releasing blood back into the man's system and reducing an erection.

When you are not sexually aroused, the penis becomes soft and flabby. Men may notice that penis size varies with heat, cold, or anxiety; This is normal and reflects the balance of blood entering and leaving the penis.

symptom

With erectile dysfunction (ED), it is difficult to get or maintain an erection hard enough for sex. If ED becomes a regular and bothersome problem, your family doctor or urologist can help.

ED can be an important warning sign of cardiovascular disease and an indication that a blockage is building up in a man's vascular system. Several studies have shown that men with ED are at significant risk of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or poor circulation in the legs. ED also causes:

Low self-confidence
depression
Suffering for the man and his partner
If ED affects a man's well-being or his relationship, it must be treated. Treatment aims to improve or enhance erectile function, support circulatory health, and improve a man's quality of life.

Reason

ED can be caused by health problems, emotional problems, or both. Some of the known risk factors are:

Over 50 years old
you have high blood sugar (diabetes)
You have high blood pressure
cardiovascular disease
You have high cholesterol
Smoke
taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol
obesity
lack of exercise

Although ED becomes more common as men age, aging does not always cause ED. Some men remain sexually functional well into their 80s. ED can be an early sign of a more serious health problem. Finding and treating the cause of ED is an important first step.