What causes erectile dysfunction?

Walking is almost as good as Viagra for erectile dysfunction

A new study shows that walking is almost as effective as Viagra as a solution for erectile dysfunction.

Bang Showbiz – Bang Bizar

While no one wants to experience erectile dysfunction (also known as ED), many men – and their partners – are relieved to learn that this condition is much more common than many people realize.

Various forms of it affect a significant number of men, says Dr. Paul Turek, a male fertility doctor and director of the Turek Clinic in San Francisco. He gives his patients the following formula for how common it is: “ED occurs at a frequency of approximately a person’s age minus 10 percent,” he explains. In other words, about 60 percent of 70-year-olds experience some form of ED, and so on.

“The percentages are also not insignificant among younger age groups, with just under 20 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds affected,” adds Dr. Nahid Punjani, a physician and urologist at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Is ED the same as erectile dysfunction?

While ED and erectile dysfunction are the same thing, the condition is also often called impotence or sexual dysfunction. Whatever you call it, ED is defined as “the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity,” says Punjani. In fact, there are three different ways someone can experience the condition: not being able to achieve an erection, not being able to maintain one, or both.

One area of ​​confusion for many people is that varying degrees of ED can occur, either situationally as a result of a number of factors or chronically as an ongoing problem. “Those who cannot reliably get an erection are more likely to have a chronic problem, while those who only have an occasional problem maintaining an erection are more likely to have a short-term problem, such as stress,” Turek says.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

In fact, psychological issues like poorly managed stress or anxiety are among the most common causes of situational or incidental ED. “Anxiety and stress can certainly contribute to ED by affecting emotional health and causing changes in blood flow and nerve function, which are critical to achieving an erection,” says Dr. John Whyte, a practicing physician in Washington, D.C., and the chief medical officer at WebMD. He says the two can even create a cycle, “where anxiety about sexual failure causes ED, which in turn increases anxiety and stress — further exacerbating the problem.”

Adrenaline is also released when someone experiences anxiety, “which can block blood flow to the penis and also cause blood to leave the penis more quickly. It looks like a physical problem, but it’s more of a situational problem,” explains Dr. Stanton Honig, a urologist and chief of the division of reproductive and sexual medicine at Yale University School of Medicine.

Other factors that may contribute to situational ED include fatigue, diet, arguments or lack of connection between partners, excessive alcohol use, distraction, or an injury to the area.

The causes of chronic or persistent ED also vary, but are usually “due to underlying pathophysiology such as worsening nerve or blood vessel function,” says Dr. Matt Armstrong, a physician and urologist at Revere Health in Utah. As examples, he says, diabetes can cause impaired nerve sensation and function, while cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, can also lead to worsened ED over time. Whyte says hormonal imbalances and advanced age can play a similar role.

Other lesser-known causes of long-term ED include “obesity, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, as a side effect of certain medications, and even smoking,” says Punjani. Less commonly, says Honig, even cyclists who ride frequently and for long distances can experience problems, as the repeated impact or pressure on the area of ​​the bike seat can damage the arteries and nerves needed to get or maintain an erection.

Can erectile dysfunction be cured?

Situational ED is often solved as easily as addressing whatever is causing the temporary problem. For example, if stress or fatigue is causing problems in the bedroom, getting more sleep or doing more to manage or minimize stress levels will usually lead to favorable outcomes sexually and otherwise. “Sex therapy can have a very beneficial impact on individuals and couples as well,” Armstrong says.

But if you’re dealing with chronic ED, “it’s best to seek out a healthcare provider — initially a primary care doctor for standard treatment, Honig says. Common treatments include oral prescription medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis), topical gels, vacuum erection devices, or shockwave therapy.

Regardless of how you deal with ED, “it’s important to remember that it’s a common and treatable condition,” Whyte says. “Open communication with partners and seeking help when needed can demystify the problem and reduce stigma.”