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Sex can be one of the most enjoyable parts of your life. It may strengthen your relationship with your partner. It can also add excitement.
If you have a problem getting or keeping an erection, your sex life can suffer. You should know that you’re not alone. In fact, more than half of all men over 40 have difficulties getting or maintaining an erection. This issue, also called erectile dysfunction (ED), occurs with younger men as well.
You should also know there is something you can do about it. Millions of these men have already improved their sex lives thanks to viagra or cialis or levitra.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. The term “impotence” was once loosely used to imply the same condition.
ED occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to the penis. This means that a man can have trouble getting and keeping an erection long enough to have sex. It may happen only once in awhile, or more often.
|  The
penis consists of three separate cylinders.
Two of these cylinders are called the Corpora Cavernosa. The
third cylinder is called the Corpus Spongisum. These spongy
reservoirs fill with blood to produce an erection when a man
becomes aroused.
Erectile dysfunction is a disorder
in men that constricts blood flow to the penis when he becomes
aroused to create an erection. Men who suffer from erectile
dysfunction lose the ability to achieve an erection because
these arteries have blockage which constricts the increased
blood flow. |
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What Causes ED?
Experts believe that approximately 80% of all ED cases stem from physical (organic) disorders, although psychological disorders can also lead to ED. Most often, multiple factors contribute to the condition.
Physical Causes
Vascular Diseases: Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), heart disease or stroke, hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol.
Diabetes: Any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive discharge of urine and persistent thirst, especially one of the two types of diabetes mellitus.
Nerve Disease: Neurological conditions include spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and nerve degeneration sometimes caused by diabetes or alcoholism.
Hormonal Problems: Low levels of the male hormone testosterone, which may affect the desire for sex. Your physician can perform a blood test to measure your testosterone levels.
Surgery: Surgery for colon, rectal or prostate cancer and even radiation therapy in the pelvic area can damage nerves and blood vessels.
Trauma: Injuries to the spinal cord or pelvic fractures.
Chronic Medical Conditions: Certain chronic medical conditions may affect sexual health.
Side Effects of Medications: There is a long list of medications that have ED as a potential side effect. Some of these medications include anti-hypertensives (blood pressure medications) or medications prescribed for depression or mood disorders. Always check with your doctor or other healthcare professional before stopping or starting any medicines.
Lifestyle Factors
Alcohol: Heavy drinking reduces the ability to have an erection. Long-term, excessive drinking can cause nerve and liver damage and hormone imbalances.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of exercise may lead to ED.
Smoking: Studies indicate that men who smoke have a greater chance of developing ED than men who don’t use tobacco.
Psychosocial Causes
These causes can occur alone or in combination with one or more of the physical causes of ED.
Performance Anxiety: Anxiety about sexual performance can negatively affect erectile function.
Stress: Stress can negatively affect sexual function.
Depression: ED can lead to some degree of depression and depression can lead to some degree of ED.
Relationship Problems: Tensions between sexual partners, whether related to sexual issues or others, such as financial, family issues, etc., can negatively affect sexual function.
More Information For more detailed information visit Diagnostic Evaluation of Erectile Dysfunction
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