Erectile Dysfunction

September 19, 2020

2 min read

For men, erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the more embarrassing and frustrating medical issues to discuss with their doctors. But if you or someone you know struggles with it, you shouldn't let embarrassment keep you from bringing it up. Erectile dysfunction is often associated with potentially serious health problems, so it's important to get it checked out.

Plus, treatments are available! Keep reading to learn about the causes of ED and what can be done about it.

Possible Causes of Erectile Dysfunction (Some May Surprise You!)

Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction happens when a man is unable to maintain or keep an erection. Mild to moderate erectile dysfunction affects about half of men in their 50s, and prevalence increases by 10 percent every decade of life thereafter.

Getting an erection involves the complex interaction between a man's brain, hormones, nerves, muscles and circulation, and dysfunction of any one of these elements may lead to ED. According to Mayo Clinic, there are a large number of physical and psychological issues that may lead to erectile dysfunction, including:

High blood pressure
Heart disease (ED is often a man's first warning sign of heart disease)
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Diabetes
Obesity
Metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high insulin, high cholesterol, and increased abdominal body fat)
Parkinson's disease
Multiple sclerosis
Some medications
Tobacco use
Peyronie's disease (the abnormal development of scar tissue inside the penis)
Alcohol use disorder and other types of substance abuse
Sleep disorders
Spinal cord injuries
Injuries to the pelvis or penis itself
Low testosterone
Mental health disorders including depression and anxiety
Relationship problems
Stress

Erectile dysfunction may also be a side effect of certain treatments for prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate.

Preventing and Treating Erectile Dysfunction

Having the occasional difficulty getting or maintaining an erection is not necessarily abnormal. But if you or your loved one frequently struggle with ED, talking to a doctor is a good next step. Your doctor can help you confirm a diagnosis of ED, figure out what underlying factors are leading to your symptoms, and help you find a solution.

Since many of the contributing factors to ED are lifestyle-related, there are things you can do to improve or prevent ED on your own. These include:

Exercising
Not smoking
Keeping a healthy weight
Eating a healthy diet
Minimizing or eliminating the use of alcohol and other substances
Reducing stress
Scheduling routine check-ups with a primary care doctor (especially to review or adjust your list of medications and have your blood work checked for things like cholesterol and blood sugar levels)

Taking care of your mental health and properly managing other underlying health conditions is also important. In addition to making these positive lifestyle changes, you and your doctor may also decide to explore some specific treatment options, including oral or injectable medications, hormone replacement therapy, and penile implants or penis pumps.

Is Erectile Dysfunction Impacting Your Life?

Let's normalize discussions about sexual health! If you or someone you know struggles with erectile dysfunction, know that help is out there. You can also share your own story or learn from others' experiences by subscribing to Healthread and getting involved with our community discussions today.