Most cases of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be traced to physiological causes. However, the mind and body are closely intertwined, and psychological factors can cause or aggravate ED. Fortunately, prescription ED medications are available that work well for the majority of men with ED.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) has some organic or physiological cause about 80% of the time. This means that something wrong within the body in terms of your health or a physical condition (with an organ in the body) is at the root of the problem. But that leaves about 20% of the remaining cases of ED generated by a psychological factor. In other words, the cause of male impotence can be in your head.
Erectile Dysfunction is fairly common. In fact, at one time or another, just about every man may experience difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection. But true ED is different. It is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
The Massachusetts Male Aging Study surveyed 1,709 men aged 40 – 70 years between 1987 and 1989 and found a prevalence of erectile dysfunction in 52 percent of those surveyed. About one in five men over 40 will experience erectile dysfunction. Statistics say that about 18 percent of men of all ages have some degree of sexual dysfunction, and it can even occur in men who are in their 20s, though the percentage of men affected increases greatly with age.
In 1995, it was estimated that more than 152 million men worldwide experienced erectile dysfunction, and by the year 2025, the prevalence of ED is predicted to be approximately 322 million worldwide.
Does ED Affect Every Man the Same Way?
There are at least three typical ways ED can affect a man. According to a recent article in Men’s Health Magazine, Daniel Williams, M.D., an associate professor in the department of urology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, described the different ways one might experience ED as:
- Difficulty getting erections.
- Getting an erection, but can’t maintain it long enough for complete, satisfying sex.
- Unable to obtain a strong enough erection to allow any intercourse to take place.
Erectile Dysfunction is All in Your Mind
Typically a man’s overall health plays a big role in the development of ED, though stress and psychological factors can be the cause. According to an article penned by Dr. Roger Cook, Associate Professor; Director, Psychology Clinic, Swinburne University of Technology, the psychological origins of erectile dysfunction can be quite varied. A few of the most common are depression, relationship problems, stressful circumstances and a history of negative sexual experiences.
How can your mind play a role? It is complex, but essentially, an erection involves the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, psychological and stress-related factors, local factors or the penis itself, as well as hormonal and vascular (blood flow or circulation) components. The blood flowing into the penis, leading to an erection, represents only one component of a very complicated and complex process.
Stress and anxiety alter many chemical reactions in the body as well as blood flow. When some people get overwhelmed they get light headed, dizzy, or even pass out. Those reactions are examples of a psychical issue that was derived by what was occurring in their mind.
The good news, according to Dr. Cook, is that help for psychological causes (like depression for example) is available, making the condition successfully treatable. But the challenge, he says, is that men do not typically feel comfortable discussing their emotional challenges, past trauma, or depression they may be experiencing, and they especially do not feel at ease disclosing that they suffer from ED with anyone.
“Men resist disclosing any experience of erectile dysfunction for fear of being mocked or ridiculed. As such, this is not a topic likely to be discussed at barbecues,” Dr. Cook states.
One Episode of ED Can Have a Domino Effect Emotionally
Once a man has one experience of erectile dysfunction while trying to perform sexually, it can consume his self-confidence and his thoughts about having sex in the future. What follows is anxiousness and fear it will happen the next time, which of course can directly interference with his subsequent performance. If erectile dysfunction does reoccur, the anxiety level rises yet again.
Then, his partner may begin to question the relationship (is she unattractive to him now, is he cheating on her?) and the relationship feels the strain. Strain in a relationship can further cause episodes of ED.
According to an article on emedicinehealth.com, certain emotions can impact sexual ability, like feeling stressed either at home or at work; or feeling troubled in your current relationship. In these cases, psychological counseling for the couple can be the best treatment in terms of successfully overcoming ED.
How Do You Know The Cause of Your ED?
You can get a proper analysis of your symptoms by seeing your primary care physician. Issues with your heart, and problems with blood vessels, which may limit adequate blood flow to the penis, is a very common cause. In fact, Ed is often the first sign of a developing heart condition.
Your doctor can order valuable tests to determine if you have other conditions that may be the underlying cause of your ED; like diabetes, heart issues, or high blood pressure. It may be a matter of losing weight and getting regular exercise.
Studies show that men who have a 42-inch waist are 50 percent more likely to have ED than men with a 32-inch waist. This is further supported by the fact that obesity increases your risk of developing vascular disease and diabetes, two conditions that contribute to ED.
If your health is determined to be good, and the root cause is determined to be psychological in nature (stress, depression etc.) your doctor could recommend Cognitive Behavior Therapy (trying to change the way one thinks about stress or problems) or recommend psychological therapy that may help heal past emotional trauma, ease stress, and resolve the emotional triggers of your ED.
But, if there was an underlying physical cause, your doctor can begin to treat it and vastly improve your health, as well as prescribe one of the most successful erectile dysfunction drugs, known as PDE5 inhibitors, like the number one prescribed Viagra or Cialis.
Viagra, (Sildenafil), is a medicine that is taken by mouth that helps to maintain an erection. What this PDE5 inhibitor does is it works to relax the muscles in the penis, allowing the vessels to dilate and fill with blood. This results in improved blood flow, facilitating an erection once you become sexually aroused. Not everyone can use these types of medications.
Clinical trials show that Viagra is effective for up to 80 percent of men and its safety and effectiveness have been well documented over the last 18 years. And it is affordable, since it is a proven treatment for male impotence and most health insurance plans will cover your prescription costs.
Viagra is a very safe and simple to use oral medication. Essentially you should take Viagra approximately 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. The effects of the drug can last for up to 4 hours. Some men even find that they can get more than one erection per dose.
The typical dosages for Viagra are 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. Usually the doctor sets the initial dose at 50 mg, and then decides, based on follow-up consultations, if more is needed.
The side effects of Viagra are generally mild and most men report that they disappeared completely as they continued to use the drug. The most common side effects of the drug are back and muscle pain, dizziness, flushing, headache, indigestion, nausea, rash, and runny or stuffy nose.
What Should You Do If You Think You Have ED?
Male impotence affects at least one-third of men at some point during their lifetime, making it a very common problem. A treatment for erectile dysfunction will depend mostly on what is causing it to occur. So you should see your doctor to rule out other medical problems and even if some of your current medicines might be the cause.
Your doctor will help you decide what treatment is right for you. Viagra is proven option of treatment that works well for most men, regardless of age, or the length of time you have experienced male impotence, even if it has been for several years. Its safety and effectiveness have been well proven since it was first approved by the FDA in 1998.
There are many contributing factors for experiencing erectile dysfunction. It may be your age, whether you have a specific health condition that’s affecting your ability to get and maintain an erection, or you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or relationship problems. It is best to see your doctor to evaluate the root cause of your male impotence, so it can be successfully treated.
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