Erectile dysfunction is one of the most visible and discussed men’s health problems. Although it is discussed more and more often, some men still do not dare to talk about it. However, this problem should be treated with the same confidence as any other medical problem. After all, the quality of your sex life is very important for your overall well-being, right?
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a man’s inability to achieve and/or maintain a penile erection for sexual satisfaction. Generally speaking, erectile dysfunction prevents you from enjoying a fulfilling sex life.
Statistics show that men in their fifties can quite often experience various short-term erectile dysfunctions – they occur in 10 to 50 percent of middle-aged sexually active men. However, it is estimated that as many as 30 percent of men of this age suffer from severe erectile dysfunction, or erectile dysfunction in which an erection of the penis cannot be achieved during each intercourse.
It is said that the number of men affected by erectile dysfunction is constantly increasing and it is becoming an increasingly urgent health problem. It is believed that such negative changes are largely influenced by a changing lifestyle, bad habits and a very high level of stress in everyday life.
What causes it?
The main risk factor for erectile dysfunction is a man’s age. So, the older a man is, the more likely he is to experience erectile dysfunction. However, this is not a mandatory rule – sometimes a man who has just turned 40, complains of much stronger and more troublesome erectile disorders than a mature man who has already celebrated his 60th birthday.
Erectile dysfunction can be divided into two classes:
- Psychological problems – depression, anxiety, various mental illnesses, severe life shocks, unpleasant memories, inner fears, self-doubt, relationship problems, bad sex experiences, etc. Man’s sexual function largely depends on his emotional state.
- Body reaction – diabetes, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, liver diseases, neurological diseases, kidney failure, endocrine diseases, etc.
These and similar factors are known to determine vascular pathologies associated with endothelial and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction of organic origin is more common. It is estimated that about 4 out of 5 cases are related to changes in the male body. However, problems of a psychological nature are also not so rare – both aspects can also intersect, which means that there are many mixed erectile disorders.
Interestingly, erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of other undiagnosed or inadequately treated diseases. For these and other reasons, if you are in your 40s, you should pay special attention to your sexual health.
What could help overcome it?
First, the man must admit that he needs help. It is best to contact specialists in this field – a safe and reliable environment and proven treatment can help significantly. Self-medication is not recommended, not only because such treatment may not be effective, but also because it can only cause more harm. For example, when buying something from unreliable manufacturers, it is possible to buy not only medicine that do not even have active substances, but also something that contains harmful or potentially harmful substances.
A urologist will evaluate possible causes of erectile dysfunction. Psychotherapy is sometimes prescribed, but treatment methods are usually based on the selection of appropriate medicinal preparations. Combination treatments can also be used. If such treatment is ineffective, the patient is offered alternatives – vacuum pumps, implants, injections, etc. In most cases, a solution can be found. You need to be confident about your sexual health, as it is an important part of your overall health and well-being.