Erectile dysfunction

It refers to a man's inability to maintain an erection consistently and repeatedly. It is a common problem and is said to affect around 18-30 million men. It has noticeable effects on the quality of life. Most of the time, people are reluctant to talk about it with other people, even with doctors. That is why it is important to address this issue openly. What are the mechanisms of erectile dysfunction?

The penis contains two cylinder-shaped chambers called the corpora cavernosa that run the full length of the penis. They contain arteries that carry blood to the penis and veins that draw blood from the penis. When there is sexual stimulation, both physical and mental, our brain sends a message to the nerves in the penis to relax the arteries in the penis. This increases blood flow to the penis making it stiff and hard, thus achieving an erection. There is a simultaneous contraction of specialized muscles located in the penis which compresses the veins and reduces blood flow from the penis, helping to maintain an erection. It is now clear that anything that interferes with nerve impulses from the brain to the penis or anything that restricts blood flow to the penis can cause erectile dysfunction.

Causes of erectile dysfunction

Most people consider it a psychological problem. However, this is not the case. Although psychological factors are involved in the cause of erectile dysfunction, we mainly have some physical causes behind erectile dysfunction.

Physical conditions that lead to erectile dysfunction

Vascular diseases

We understand that it is the increased blood flow to the penis that helps us achieve an erection. Therefore, any vascular disease that affects blood flow to the penis will make an erection difficult. They include atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.

Diabetes

Men with diabetes mellitus often experience erectile dysfunction at some point in life, especially when they don't have optimal blood sugar control. Erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes is attributed to damage to blood vessels and nerves.

Neurological disorder

For a proper erection, we need the proper functioning of our nerves and our brains. This is why any disorder that interferes with brain or nerve function can cause erectile dysfunction. They include conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. 4. Lifestyle

There are some lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. They include smoking, drinking and drug use. They do this by interfering with the blood supply to the penis.

Trauma

Trauma to the blood vessels and nerves that supply the penis can also cause erectile dysfunction. The importance of trauma as a cause of erectile dysfunction has been linked to people who have cycled for a longer period of time. This is because the bicycle seat can put constant pressure on the vessels and nerves that supply the penis, damaging them and causing erectile dysfunction.

Medicines

There are some medications that cause erectile dysfunction. They include drugs used to lower blood pressure and even some antidepressants. The irony is that depression and hypertension are some of the causes of erectile dysfunction and the medications you are using to treat these conditions also cause erectile dysfunction. This is why it is important to speak to your doctor if you are on medication and start having erection problems.

Surgery

Most people over the age of 50 have erection problems. This is the age when people also have an enlarged prostate and even prostate cancer. They require surgery for these conditions and during surgery the nerves that feed the penis can be damaged 발기부전 and lead to erectile dysfunction.

Psychiatric conditions leading to erectile dysfunction

The brain is involved in achieving an erection, as well as in the pleasure and arousal associated with sex, so any problems that interfere with the functioning of the brain can cause erectile dysfunction. Psychiatric conditions are responsible for only about 10-15% of erectile dysfunction cases. To include

Fatigue

Anxiety

Depression

Low self-esteem

How to treat erectile dysfunction? 1. Lifestyle changes

There are some lifestyle changes that can help improve sexual function. They include quitting smoking, exercising, and losing weight.

Medicines

There is this famous drug name sildenafil, which is also known as Viagra. It's not the only drug, but there is a whole class of drugs called phosphodiestrase inhibitors. The other important drugs included in this group are Vardenafil (Levita, Stxyn), Tadalafil (Cialis) and Avanafil (Stendra)

Vacuum pumps

They are specialized devices that contain a cylinder and a pump. The penis is placed in the cylinder and the pump is used to suck the air out of the pump creating a cylinder. This increases blood flow to the penis. To maintain an erection, an elastic band is used around the base of the penis.

Surgery

If erectile dysfunction is due to a blockage in the artery that supplies the penis, especially in younger patients, we can surgically restore that blood flow. The other thing we can do surgically is to insert an implant there. This implant is filled with pressurized fluid whenever an erection is required. 5. Psychotherapy

Erectile dysfunction is a complex problem to treat. Therefore, it is important that you realize that you need to involve your partner and speak to a doctor if you want to get out of this troubled situation. The other important issue to keep in mind is to avoid any self-medication as it could have a lethal outcome.