What Is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

ED occurs when a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection long enough to have sex. The simple explanation, or reason, that ED occurs is that not enough blood flows into the penis.

ED can affect men in a variety of different ways. Many men have problems achieving an erection in the first place. Other men can achieve and sustain an erection in some form, but the rigidity or hardness of the erection is usually not sufficient for sex. Still other men are capable of achieving a very hard erection, but they cannot sustain it, and lose it before or during sex.

Although ED can be very stressful for men, it is more common than most men might think. In fact, more than half of all men over 40 have some difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection. Although ED is more likely to occur as men get older, it is possible that men of any age can experience ED.

Most men who have ED can improve their erections significantly. And better erections mean better sex.

Why Does Erectile Dysfunction Happen?

Many men think that the majority of ED cases deal with psychological factors. In some instances, ED can be caused by things like stress or fatigue. But most of the time, ED is a condition that takes place rather consistently, and is not something that you can control. Erectile dysfunction in its literal sense is considered a medical condition typically caused by a physical problem that affects blood flow.

At least 80 percent of ED cases deal with at least one physical issue.

In fact, ED can be a sign of more serious health concerns such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. In most cases, erectile dysfunction will not improve without treatment, so it is very important to speak with your doctor to determine what may be causing your ED, and how it can best be treated.

Three things typically take place when a man is sexually aroused:

1. His brain sends an impulse that tells arteries in the penis to widen.
2. More blood then flows into his penis.
3. His penis then expands and hardens, causing an erection.

ED causes the nerves or blood vessels in the penis to work improperly. When this takes place, a lack of blood flows to the penis. This can many times affect the rigidity or longevity of an erection.

ED is often related to other health issues that can affect the flow of blood to the penis. No matter what the cause, effective treatments are almost always available, even if the ED is being caused by an outside physical condition.

Common Causes For a Lack of Blood Flow

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Heart disease
Diabetes
Prostate Problems

Other Factors That Could Reduce Blood Flow

Depression
Stress
Smoking or alcohol
Spinal injury
Certain medicines

What Are the Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction?

There are many treatments for erectile dysfunction. The most common is oral medication/tablets. The FDA has approved three prescription medications for ED: Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

Based on the fact Viagra was the first ED drug made available in the U.S. (March 1998), it is the most prescribed ED medication. However, Cialis has been gaining market share from Viagra for many years since being introduced in 2003. Cialis has gained favor among many ED patients because it is effective from 24-36 hours. Viagra and Levitra are effective for 4-5 hours, however, all three of these medications have been shown to significantly improve erections for men with ED.

Here are some other treatments your doctor may tell you about:

• Self-Injection
• Penile Implants
• Vacuum Devices
• Urethral Suppositories
• Sex Therapy
• Naturopathy/Supplements/Herbal Medicines
• Revascularization
• Other Surgeries