Physical causes of erectile dysfunction
by Admin
Posted on 27-03-2023 01:31 AM
The most common sexual problem in men as they age is erectile dysfunction ( ed ). In general, the younger a man is, the better his sexual function will be.
About 40% of men are affected by erectile dysfunction at age 40, and nearly 70% of men are affected by ed by the time they turn 70. Aside from age, risk factors for developing ed include smoking , obesity , diabetes , cardiovascular disease, inactive lifestyle, cancer , stroke , and taking certain medications such as antidepressants or beta-blockers. Psychogenic ed was thought to be the most common cause of ed, however, psychologic causes often coexist with physical or functional causes of ed.
If you see someone about erectile dysfunction, the doctor or nurse may: ask about your lifestyle and relationships, and any problems you might be having do some basic health checks, such as taking your blood pressure examine your genitals to rule out any obvious physical cause if you have symptoms like needing to pee more often than usual, you may also have an examination of your prostate ( rectal examination ).
Erectile dysfunction (ed) is likely the most difficult and sensitive topic a male patient will have to discuss with their doctor, especially for a patient in their 20s and 30s. The overall societal stigma and awkwardness placed on this condition can lower one’s self esteem and become a barrier to starting this conversation. Many young men with ed may feel it is impossible for someone their age to have these symptoms. However, approximately 20% of men in their 20s and 30% of men in the 30s suffer from at least mild to moderate symptoms of ed. Fortunately, as primary care physicians, we are fully prepared to have this discussion with our male patients and thoroughly investigate all medical/physical and psychological/emotional causes.
Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction 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 there was a total prevalence of erectile dysfunction of 52 percent. It was estimated that, in 1995, over 152 million men worldwide experienced ed. For 2025, the prevalence of ed is predicted to be approximately 322 million worldwide.
In the past, erectile dysfunction was commonly believed to be caused by psychological problems. It is now known that, for most men, erectile dysfunction is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis.
By donna christiano | jun. 4, 2021 medically reviewed by chad shaffer, md erectile dysfunction (ed) is the most commonly reported sex problem among men. In fact, it’s estimated that some 30 million men in this country are affected by ed , which is also sometimes referred to as impotence. Medically, it’s defined as the inability to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for sex. While the risk of ed increases with age, it can—and does—happen to young men. But there are steps you can take to reverse ed and prevent it from becoming a problem. “getting an erection is primarily a hemodynamic event,” explains john valvo, md , urologist at rochester regional health and senior partner at the center for urology in rochester, new york.
Advertisement also known as ed or impotence, erectile dysfunction occurs when a man is unable to get or keep an erection firm enough to engage in sexual intercourse. While these commercials spur jokes and laughs among most, erectile dysfunction could indicate a serious health issue. The likelihood of erectile dysfunction does increase with age (22 percent of men over the age of 60 and 30 percent of men over the age of 70 suffer from impotence), but it's not an inevitable part of growing older. Instead, the cause is more likely related to an underlying physical or psychological condition. 1.
Erectile Dysfunction and Your Age: Is It Inevitable?
Erectile dysfunction (ed) can be red flags for other health issues. For instance: cardiovascular disease. Ed is often caused by abnormal blood vessels that do not supply enough blood to the penis for erections to occur. "ed may be a sign that something else is going on in your blood vessels, like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries," says dr. Marc garnick, professor of medical oncology and urologic cancer at harvard-affiliated beth israel deaconess medical center. Diabetes. Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels needed to achieve and maintain an erection. Men with diabetes tend to develop ed at a younger age compared with men without diabetes.
Erectile dysfunction is a significant and common medical problem. Recent epidemiologic studies suggest that approximately 10% of men aged 40-70 have severe or complete erectile dysfunction, defined as the total inability to achieve or maintain erections sufficient for sexual performance. An additional 25% of men in this age category have moderate or intermittent erectile difficulties. The disorder is highly age-dependent, as the combined prevalence of moderate to complete erectile dysfunction rises from approximately 22% at age 40 to 49% by age 70. Although less common in younger men, erectile dysfunction still affects 5%-10% of men below the age of 40.
Lifestyle changes could improve male sexual function video interview with elizabeth selvin (quicktime required) more than 18 million men in the united states over age 20 are affected by erectile dysfunction, according to a study by researchers from the johns hopkins bloomberg school of public health. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction was strongly linked with age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and a lack of physical activity. The findings also indicate that lifestyle changes, such as increased physical activity and measures to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes, may also prevent decreased erectile function. The study is published in the february 1, 2007, issue of the american journal of medicine.
9012 just about every man will have some sort of sexual problem during his lifetime – but not nearly enough of them will discuss them with their doctors , or even their partners. Erectile dysfunction, or ed, which is trouble getting or maintaining an erection, gets a lot of attention, but many men suffer from equally troubling sexual problems, explains ali dabaja, m. D. , a urologist at henry ford health. What’s more, many sexual problems occur at the same time as ed, so it’s almost a chicken-and-egg-type scenario. Issues like premature ejaculation, for example, can lead to erectile dysfunction.
1. Some things change. Take, for example, erections. After 40 and certainly by 50, they rise more slowly, and become less firm and frequent. Sexual fantasies are no longer enough. Men need fondling, often for quite a while. It's disconcerting to lose firmness and suffer wilting from minor distractions, such as a phone ringing, but these changes are perfectly normal. Unfortunately, many men mistake them for erectile dysfunction (ed) and become distraught — only exacerbating the problem. Anxiety constricts the arteries that carry blood into the penis, making erections even less likely. In addition, many medical conditions impair erections: obesity, diabetes , heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
With erectile dysfunction (ed), it is hard to get or keep an erection that is firm enough for sex. When ed becomes a routine and bothersome problem, your primary care provider or a urologist can help. Ed may be a major warning sign of cardiovascular disease indicating blockages are building in a man's vascular system. Some studies have shown men with ed are at significant risk of getting a heart attack, stroke or circulatory problems in the legs. Ed also causes: low self-esteem depression distress for the man and his partner if ed is affecting a man's well-being or his relationships, it should be treated.