To an extent, every case of erectile dysfunction is unique. The same can also be said for erectile dysfunction causes, which vary enormously from one person to the next. Though in all instances, the effects ED can have on a man’s confidence and well-being can be devastating.
It’s estimated that at least one in every 10 men will be affected by ED in their lifetime. Being unable to perform adequately once or twice isn’t the end of the world. But when ED becomes a regular or ongoing issue, it can be life-affecting in a big way.
Getting to know what causes erectile dysfunction is often the first step towards resolving the problem. Though again, acknowledging how the whole thing differs from one man to the next is essential.
Symptoms
The most obvious and common erectile dysfunction symptoms need no real clarification. From an official medical context, a person is considered to have erectile dysfunction in the event that they experience:
- Trouble getting an erection
- Trouble keeping an erection
- Reduced sexual desire
Truth is, most men occasionally encounter issues achieving or maintaining an erection. However, those who struggle with such issues on a regular or continuous basis may have ED. In any case, it’s worth consulting with a physician the moment erection issues become a cause for concern. The earlier issues with ED are detected and addressed, the easier they tend to be to treat and reverse.
Risk Factors
Erectile dysfunction is a condition that can occur at any time in life and for no specific reason. However, there are some risk factors that can increase the likelihood of a man experiencing ED. The most common and prevalent of which being as follows:
- Certain medical conditions, particularly those that affect the circulatory system.
- Diabetes is also a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction.
- Studies have linked the use of tobacco with elevated ED risk.
- The natural aging process also increases the risk of ED in men.
- Obesity or carrying excess weight, in general, is also a known risk factor.
- Recreational drugs and some prescription drugs can increase ED risk.
- Anxiety, stress, and depression can contribute to the risk of ED.
- Injuries and underlying illness can likewise enhance ED risk.
Though again, most cases of ED cannot be directly linked with any specific cause. It’s a condition that simply happens out of the blue, with no obvious explanation.
Erectile Dysfunction Tests
Diagnosing a case of ED can (from a medical perspective) be quite difficult. For the most part, a physician will reach a diagnosis based primarily on the information provided by the patient. You’ll be questioned about the nature, severity, and frequency of the issue, along with when it started.
At which point, you may be diagnosed as having ED, or further tests and/or examinations may be necessary. If your doctor believes underlying medical conditions are causing your ED, you will need to undergo additional screenings. This is likely to include:
- Physical exam – A detailed examination of your genitals will be conducted to note for any potential health problems.
- Blood tests – Abnormalities in your blood could also be contributing to the problem, therefore a blood test will be needed.
- Urine tests (urinalysis) – Likewise, analysis of your urine will help pinpoint various issues that can increase ED risk.
- Ultrasound – In some cases, a detailed scan may be performed by way of ultrasound to detect any problems with blood flow.
If there are no obvious physical causes, you may be referred for a psychological consultation. During this, it will be established whether your mental health could be contributing to the problem.
Causes of Erectile dysfunction
In some instances, the causes of erectile dysfunction are relatively clear. Underlying health issues and mental health problems are two of the most common causes. Though in the vast majority of instances, ED cannot be attributed to a single identifiable cause. Instead, it simply happens out of the blue – seemingly for no specific reason whatsoever.
ED can strike at any age, though the risk of being affected by ED grows with age. From the age of 40 onwards, the likelihood of experiencing ED grows more or less continuously. For men aged 40 and over, the following common conditions are all known to increase ED risk:
- High blood pressure is more common among men within this age group, which can lead to sexual performance problems.
- Obesity and diabetes are major threats to public health that are becoming more common across the world.
- Prescription medication use can, in some instances, increase ED risk in some men, particularly those over 40.
Though again, it’s perfectly possible for ED to strike any man at any age and for no specific reason. If concerned, consult with a doctor to rule out any possible underlying health issues.
Erectile Dysfunction by Medical Conditions
Erectile dysfunction in 40s is surprisingly common, affecting millions of men worldwide. Age is a primary risk factor in ED, but it’s by no means the only health-related risk factor. There are various health conditions that can increase a man’s risk of experiencing ED – including the following:
1) Hormonal Problems
Erection issues can also be an indicator of a hormonal imbalance of some kind. Whether it’s the overproduction of certain hormones and/or the underproduction of others, it’s a known ED risk factor. People with thyroid problems are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than others.
Testosterone deficiency is also a major risk factor, as is the presence of too much estrogen in the body. Overproduction of stress hormones can also have the same effect.
2) Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that can cause havoc with the blood pressure and the way the body functions in general. Hence, diabetic men are statistically more likely to experience erectile dysfunction during their lifetime.
Appropriately managed cases of diabetes need not be a major ED risk factor. However, the risk remains elevated when compared to men who do not have diabetes. Consult with your doctor if you experience ED as a diabetic in order to discuss safe treatment options.
3) Cardiovascular Disease
For obvious reasons, achieving and maintaining an erection with poor blood flow simply isn’t an option. Precisely why one of the most common side-effects of cardiovascular disease is erectile dysfunction. If your body cannot channel the necessary blood to your penis at the right time, it’s a no-go situation.
Any disease or issue affecting the heart or the circulatory system can, therefore, be a risk factor for ED. One of the many reasons why looking after your heart for a lifetime should be taken seriously.
4) Neurological Diseases
In rare instances, erectile dysfunction may be connected with a serious neurological disease or disorder. Though in most cases, ED will be one of the least significant symptoms of the condition in question. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s patients, for example, are at an elevated risk of experiencing ED.
However, this will often occur at a quite advanced stage of the disease, when other associated symptoms have become much more severe and life-affecting.
5) Prescription Drugs
There are certain types of prescription drugs that can increase a man’s risk of experiencing ED. However, you should NEVER stop taking prescribed drugs for any reason without your doctor’s approval.
The drugs most likely to affect ED risk are those that affect the heart, blood pressure, or hormones. Antidepressants can also cause temporary bouts of ED, which usually self-correct with time. Opioids and drugs that affect the prostate can likewise influence ED risk.
It’s also worth noting that the vast majority of recreational drugs may also elevate ED risk. Anything that prevents the body from performing normally is a potential ED Risk factor. Alcohol and tobacco alone are known risk factors – collectively blamed for millions of cases of ED worldwide.
6) Obesity
When a person is obese, the additional stress and strain put on their bodies are huge. The heart and circulatory system are pushed to breaking point, while other organs struggle to function efficiently. All of which is a recipe for countless serious health problems – one of which being ED.
ED isn’t the only reason to lose weight – doing so could save your life. Plus, the confidence you’ll gain by getting into shape will be more effective than any aphrodisiac. Be kind to your body, and it will be kind to you in return!
Erectile Dysfunction by Psychological Causes
More often than not, erectile dysfunction in 20s is attributed more to psychological issues than health problems. Just to be sure, consulting with a doctor to rule out underlying health issues is still advisable. Though in almost all instances, the cause of ED in younger men is purely psychological in nature.
The most common culprits of all with men in their 20s being as follows:
1) Depression
Depression is also a surprisingly common issue among younger men, which can be short-term or prolonged in nature. Irrespective of the severity of the case, depression elevates the risk of ED. It also has a severe impact on libido, self-esteem, and relationship quality.
Again, there’s always something that can be done about depression – however severe it may be. The trouble is that realizing and accepting you’re suffering from depression in the first place can be the trickiest part of all.
2) Anxiety
One of the most common psychological health complaints among young men is also a direct ED risk factor. The problem being that ED-related anxiety is self-perpetuating. Anxiety leads to ED, ED causes anxiety, and the cycle continues.
This is why it is so important to take action if your life is affected in any way by anxiety. It’s not a problem that simply goes away on its own, though it can be remedied with a proactive approach. Speak to your doctor if worried about how anxiety may be affecting your life.
3) Stress
We all experience stress in our lives. But when it becomes chronic or severe, stress can be highly detrimental to health. Stress takes a toll on our physical and mental health alike. Though, in most cases, it goes unaddressed by those who experience it.
Along with the psychological effects of stress, it can also lead to high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, and hormonal imbalance. All were contributing to the risk of experiencing ED.
Common Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
The most appropriate treatment for any given case of ED will be determined by the cause of the problem. If your general state of health and lifestyle are the issues causing your ED, you’ll need to radically change your habits. If there’s an underlying medical cause, it may need to be treated accordingly.
Precisely why it’s important to consult with a physician if you’ve any questions or concerns about ED. In terms of specific treatment options, there are three primary approaches to combatting ED as follows:
1) Surgery
Surgical intervention is extremely rare, as ED almost never has a ‘physical’ cause in this sense. There are surgical options available in some cases, though, in all instances, are costly and risky. Therefore, it is highly unlikely your doctor will recommend surgery as a cure or treatment for ED. Even in instances where surgery is an option, it’s considered to be a last-resort option only.
2) Prescription Medication
All prescription ED meds like Viagra are different but nonetheless share similar characteristics. Along with providing temporary relief from ED at best, they also bring multiple side-effects into consideration. Conventional pharmaceuticals don’t actually address the root cause of ED – they just reverse its effects for an hour or two.
ED meds are notorious for causing headaches, nausea, high blood pressure, and dizziness. They can also interact dangerously with other medications if taking any at the time. Most doctors are therefore hesitant to recommend prescription ED meds unless doing so is absolutely necessary.
3) Foods
The extent to which certain everyday foods and drinks can address erectile dysfunction is questionable. Nevertheless, anything that helps maintain blood vessel health and dietary balance can help. This is why experts recommend the following, as both treatments and preventative measures against ED:
- Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables
- Increasing consumption of whole grains
- Eating healthy protein and limiting red meats
- Avoiding processed foods where possible
- Strictly limiting alcohol consumption
- Monitoring fat, sugar, and calorie intake
As dietary requirements vary between people, major dietary changes should always be discussed with a doctor. Though anything you can do to improve your health through better dietary balance is something, you should be doing.
4) Herbal Supplements
Not to be confused with medication, these are the types of all-natural supplements that contain herbal extracts only. Clinical tests have shown that in the right quantities and combinations, herbal supplements can be even more effective than prescription meds.
One example of which being VigRX Plus, which combines 10 FDA-approved natural extracts. With no risk of side-effects, VigRX Plus gradually builds towards a cumulative effect over the course of several weeks. VigRX Plus is clinically proven to improve blood flow to the penis and boost libido within 60 days or your money back. You’ll find full details of its working mechanism and benefits in this in-depth VigRX Plus Review.
VigRX Plus has proven effective for 95% of men in independent testing. It’s also considered safe for anyone in a generally good state of health to use. Though again, consulting with a doctor beforehand is advisable before beginning any course of supplementation.
5) Exercises
In some instances, it’s possible to reduce the severity of ED by performing certain exercises at home. The most popular and effective of which being as follows:
Kegel Exercises
This is an exercise that gradually strengthens the pelvic floor muscles over time. It’s simply a case of identifying these muscles in the first place – those you use to stop urinating mid-stream. Contract these muscles, hold for three seconds, and release.
Do this up to 20 times, three times a day, and over the course of several weeks. Studies have shown that pelvic floor muscle strength can play a direct role in ED treatment and prevention. Not to mention massively improve sexual satisfaction with more intense orgasms.
Aerobic Exercise
Absolutely any exercise you can do to improve your circulatory health is something you should be doing. In fact, any kind of healthy exercise at all can and will help. Extensive studies have shown that when ED patients participate in regular exercise, it almost always brings about improvements.
Even if it doesn’t cure ED entirely, aerobic exercise plays a key role in all bodily functions just as a sedentary lifestyle is a major contributor to ED, low libido, and poor self-esteem.
Yoga
Anecdotal evidence also suggests that yoga can be great for treating various performance problems. There’s limited scientific evidence, but those who regularly take part in yoga swear by it. In any case, yoga is guaranteed to help you relax, put your mind at rest, and improve your confidence levels.
It can also boost energy levels and flexibility, which for obvious reasons, is important in the bedroom. Hence, checking out a free online yoga tutorial and giving it a shot at home can’t hurt!
Conclusion
The key to successfully combatting problems like ED lies in first considering the cause of the issue. Be it physical or purely psychological, there’s always something that can be done to bring ED under control.
As it stands, the single most effective treatment option available is a safe and approved herbal supplement. With its 67-day money-back guarantee, VigRX Plus currently leads the field by a clear margin. Safe to use, free of side-effects, and approved by male sexual health experts, with nothing but 100% organic ingredients.
Speak to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about ED – don’t suffer in silence.
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