What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the most often reported sexual condition by men to their doctor. It may impact up to 30 million males.

ED is described as having difficulty obtaining or maintaining a hard enough erection for intercourse.

While it is not uncommon for a man to have occasional difficulties with erections, ED that is progressing or often occurs during sex is not normal and should be addressed.

 

How can ED occur?

Typically occurs when blood supply to the penis is restricted or when nerves are injured. Identifying the cause(s) of your ED will aid in Treatment and general well-being. As a general rule, whatever is beneficial to your heart health is beneficial to your sexual health.

 

How do Erections work?

Nerves generate substances that boost blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. Blood rushes into the penis's two erection chambers composed of spongy muscular tissue (the corpus cavernosum). The chambers of the corpus cavernosum are not hollow.

The spongy tissues relax and trap blood during an erection. The chambers' blood pressure causes the penis to contract, resulting in an erection. When a man experiences an orgasm, the second set of nerve impulses reaches the penis, causing the penis's muscular tissues to contract, blood is returned to the man's circulation, and the erection falls.

When the penis is not sexually stimulated, it is soft and limp. Men may notice that the size of their penis changes in response to heat, cold, or anxiety; this is typical and represents the balance of blood entering and exiting the penis.

 

Symptoms

It's challenging to get or maintain a strong enough erection for intercourse when you have Erectile Dysfunction (ED). When ED becomes a chronic and irritating condition, your health care practitioner or a urologist can assist you.

 

ED may be a significant warning symptom of cardiovascular disease, signaling that blockages in a man's vascular system are forming. According to several research, men with ED are much more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or circulation difficulties in their legs. Additionally, ED results in the following:

1.     Depression due to low self-esteem

2.     Distress for the gentleman and his companion

If ED has a negative impact on a man's health or relationships, it should be addressed. The goal of Treatment is to restore or increase erectile function, improve circulatory health, and improve a man's quality of life.

 

ED's Causes

ED occurs when:

•         There is the insufficient blood supply to the penis.

•         Numerous health problems, including blocked arteries, heart disease, excessive blood sugar (diabetes), and smoking, may restrict blood flow to the penis.

•         During an erection, the penis cannot retain blood.

•         A guy cannot maintain an erection if blood does not remain in the penis. This problem may occur at any age.

•         The penis does not receive nerve impulses from the brain or spinal cord.

•         Certain illnesses, injuries, or surgeries to the pelvic region might damage the penis nerves.

•         Diabetes may result in small vessel disease or penile nerve injury.

•         Treatments for cancer around the pelvis may impair the penis' functioning.

 

ED may be caused by surgery and/or radiation for malignancies of the lower abdomen or pelvis. Men often have ED after undergoing Treatment for prostate, colon-rectal, or bladder cancer. A urologist should address sexual health issues in cancer survivors.

Various medications used to address other health concerns may have a detrimental effect on erections.

Patients should discuss adverse medication reactions with their primary care physicians.

 

 

References

[1] Lue TF. Erectile Dysfunction. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000;342:1802–1813.

[2] Shamloul R, Ghanem H. Erectile dysfunction. The Lancet. 2013;381:153–165.

[3] Yafi FA, Jenkins L, Albersen M, et al. Erectile dysfunction. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:1–20.

[4] Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment - Urology Care Foundation [Internet]. [cited 2021 Dec 2]. Available from: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed).

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