Erectile dysfunction is a disorder where a man can have an
erection and maintain it long enough to reach a full sexual intercourse at
least 50% of occasions.
Previously, this condition was called the impotence .
If erectile dysfunction is repeated often, or that it becomes a
habit, it can affect self-image and sexual life of both partners.
Most men will experience an occasional episode or brief periods
of erectile dysfunction ,
'failure'. Statistics
show that typically, about 34% of men regularly live a 'failure' or
dysfunction. It is
common in men over 65 years but can also occur in middle-aged men and even
among the youngest.
What causes
erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction can occur when something disturbs the
process of the body that allows you to have an erection.
This process involves the brain that control sight, hearing,
smell, touch and thought, the nerves that carry messages from your brain to the
body and blood vessels of the penis dilate in order to pass the blood.
Many obstacles can interfere with these steps and cause
dysfunction.
The fatigue and too
much alcohol can cause erectile dysfunction occasionally.
If it occurs more often, look for a erectile dysfunction physical cause that is the source of the
problem in nearly half the cases.
Other possible causes of ED include medications you take and
what you do or you are called to live throughout your life.
Physical causes of
ED
Physical causes of ED include diseases of the blood vessels that
can block blood flow to the penis. Note
also diseases of the nerves that carry messages of sexual stimulation from the
brain to the blood vessels.
Other diseases will lower testosterone levels or the rate of
other male hormones and cause ED.
The main physical
causes are:
- The alcohol abuse
- Smoking
- Atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries"
- Diabetes (high sugar)
- Injuries to the brain or spinal cord
- Hypogonadism (which leads to a decrease in testosterone levels)
- The hepatic and renal impairment
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Being overweight or obese (studies show that weight loss
improves ED)
Thoughts and
feelings that can lead to ED
- Nervousness to face sex, perhaps because of a previous episode
of ED
- Stress, including stress caused by work or family
- Any concerns by problems with your partner
- The feeling of being depressed or sad
- Excessive shyness that blocks any sexual satisfaction
- The impression that your partner is not responding to your
advances
The dissatisfaction that you have to face your own life and your
partner may also contribute to the recurrence of erectile dysfunction. Many men suffer from ED regularly after an initial failure. Now they will feel nervous about the prospect of another failure
which, in fact, will now have a greater risk to occur! Over time, it may establish a repetitive pattern.More erection
is a concern, the greater the risks are great not to have.We must therefore
break this vicious circle.
The actions you take during sex may also contribute to
difficulties in obtaining an erection and maintain it. Mostly with age, or because of their health, people's needs
change. To have
and maintain an erection, some men will need more hugs in the penis or
different stimuli.
Some medicines can affect blood flow to the penis or hormone
levels in the blood. Among
the drugs known to cause ED include some antidepressants, some medicines that
lower blood pressure and most sedatives or tranquilizers.
If you think your erectile dysfunction is caused by a medication
you are taking, ask your doctor who will prescribe a drug that is not this side
effect undesirable.