Erectile dysfunction is one of those topics that many men shy away from discussing. But they shouldn’t feel alone.
50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 suffer from erectile dysfunction. Considering that aspects of everyday life — like our diet, sleeping pattern and exercise — can all contribute to this condition, it’s no surprise that this percentage of men suffer from issues with sexual performance.
With such a prevalent problem, Pharma Nord, a leading supplier of Prelox, has looked into the condition to find out what erectile function is, why some men suffer from it and what they can do to help the issue.
Erectile dysfunction explained
Erectile dysfunction is a condition where a man can’t get or keep an erection, and as we mentioned; more men than what you might have thought suffer from erectile disjunction. In fact, this is a worldwide problem, with 10% of men suffering from it across the globe. Generally, the condition is more common in males who are over 70 years old, but that doesn’t mean that it’s non-existent in younger men.
Seeking help for erectile dysfunction
So, how does a medical professional diagnose erectile dysfunction? Having the disorder is mainly determined by how often you experience sexual problems. For example; if you are unable to gain an erection more than 50% of the time, a doctor would generally diagnose you with erectile dysfunction.
Unfortunately, only a third of men who suffer from erectile dysfunction ask for medical guidance, and this lack of communication has several ramifications. Firstly, the treatment to help this dysfunction becomes limited and data around the amount of men with the condition is difficult to obtain. Secondly, erectile dysfunction may actually be a crucial warning sign for life-threatening conditions. For example; men suffering from high blood pressure and heart disease sometimes develop erectile dysfunction, so this would be a vital indicator that doctors could pick up and act on, if the man sought medical treatment.
There are many remedies that professionals could administer to sufferers of erectile dysfunction to help treat the problem and improve their sex lives. However, the first obstacle to overcome is encouraging men to seek help in the first place.
Why do some men suffer from erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction can occur for many reasons. This might sound like a negative, but this just means that there are also several ways to treat it. Generally, men might suffer from erectile dysfunction because of:
- Psychology: mental health plays a big part in sex drive. Issues such as depression and anxiety can cause erectile dysfunction.
- Restricted blood flow: this would affect the blood reaching the penis.
- Imbalance of hormones: such as low testosterone, unusual thyroid levels and high prolactin (a hormone that encourages lactation).
- Nerves: damage to nerves will prevent signals from the brain reaching the genitals. This condition could be due to diabetes, multiple sclerosis or other pre-existing problems.
What if you don’t want to visit a doctor?
Visiting a medical professional about erectile dysfunction is a difficult step for most men to take. If you want to check that you might have the condition before making an appointment, there is a method some men have used. Attach a ring of postage stamps to your penis when you go bed. In the morning, if the ring is broken, this indicates that your penis is working during the night, which points to the cause of your sexual problems being psychological, rather than physical. However, please note that this is not 100% reliable or accurate and seeking expert advice is the only way to diagnose the problem and get it treated.
Erectile dysfunction and medication
Many of us take at least some form of medication or supplement for other health conditions. But this could also be the root of your erectile dysfunction. Drugs including:
- Antidepressants
- Diuretics (administered to treat high blood pressure)
- Antihistamines (for the treatment of allergies)
- Corticosteroids (an anti-inflammatory containing steroids)
can all cause sexual problems like erectile dysfunction if taken often.
In fact, many men suffering from diabetes also suffer from erectile dysfunction, according to a medical report by the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Other research has shown that they tend to suffer from the condition 10 to 15 years earlier than other men, with an increased likelihood of developing the condition later in life.
How to solve erectile dysfunction
The first step to treating erectile dysfunction is seeing a doctor. This might be a tough obstacle to overcome for many men, but this is the only way to find out — from the range of possible causes — how it can be dealt with. As soon as your doctor establishes the cause, they’re in a far better position to find a cure.
If the erectile dysfunction issue cause is physical, there is prescribed medication you can take to help (usually only as long as you don’t suffer from, and take medication for, a pre-existing medical condition). When the problem is psychological, patients can instead talk to qualified therapists that help them to remove any anxieties surrounding sex.
Things you can do
If you know your lifestyle could be better, and want to try making a few changes before getting advice, there are a few things you could consider. Exercising more, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and losing weight, can all help to reduce a man’s stress levels and improve sexual performance without visiting a doctor.