Erectile Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
It is a common symptom among men, especially as they age, that they suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). The inability to maintain an erection firm enough for sexual activity is referred to as ED. Stress, low self-confidence, and a damaged relationship can result from ED. Also, ED may be a sign that an underlying health problem needs to be addressed.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
There are many possible causes of ED, both physical and psychological. Some of the most common physical causes are:
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Heart disease
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High blood pressure
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Diabetes
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Obesity
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High cholesterol
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Smoking
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Alcohol or drug abuse
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Certain medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, or blood pressure drugs
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Hormonal disorders, such as low testosterone or thyroid problems
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Nerve damage, such as from spinal cord injury, stroke, or prostate surgery
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Peyronie’s disease, a condition that causes scar tissue to form in the penis and make it curve
Some of the most common psychological causes are:
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Stress
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Relationship problems
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Performance anxiety
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Low self-esteem
Sometimes, ED can be caused by a combination of physical and psychological factors.
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
The main symptom of ED is the difficulty to get or maintain an erection that is sufficient for sexual activity. Other symptoms may include:
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Reduced sexual desire or libido
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Trouble reaching orgasm or having delayed ejaculation
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Premature ejaculation or ejaculating too soon
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Soft or weak erections
Diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, your sexual history, your lifestyle habits, and your current medications if you suffer from symptoms of ED. As part of your physical exam, your doctor will check your blood pressure, heart rate, and genitals, along with your erectile function. In addition, your doctor may order tests to check your blood sugar, cholesterol, hormone levels, and other factors that may affect your erectile function.
Some of the tests that your doctor may order are:
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Blood tests: These can measure your blood count, glucose level, lipid profile, liver and kidney function, hormone levels, and markers of inflammation.
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Urine tests: These can detect any infections or abnormalities in your urinary system.
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Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test: This is a device that you wear on your penis at night to measure how often and how long you have erections while you sleep. This can help determine if your ED is caused by physical or psychological factors.
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Penile injection test: This is a test where a medication is injected into your penis to cause an erection. This can help evaluate the blood flow and nerve function in your penis.
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Ultrasound test: This is a test where sound waves are used to create an image of the blood vessels and tissues in your penis. This can help detect any blockages or leaks in the blood flow to your penis.
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Psychological tests: These are tests that can assess your mental health and emotional well-being. These can help identify any psychological factors that may contribute to your ED.
Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
The treatment of ED depends on the cause and severity of your condition. There are many options available for treating ED, such as:
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An oral medication helps you get an erection by improving blood flow to your penis before sexual activity. Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra) are some of the most common oral medications for ED. They work by relaxing the muscles and increasing the blood flow in the penis. There are, however, some side effects associated with these medications, including headaches, flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion, back pain, vision changes, and hearing loss. Men who take nitrates for chest pain or have heart problems should not take these medications.
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Topical medications: These are creams or gels that you apply to your penis before sexual activity to enhance blood flow and sensation in your penis. Some of the topical medications for ED include alprostadil (Vitaros) and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat). In addition to dilating blood vessels and stimulating nerves in the penis, these medications may also cause some side effects, such as burning, itching, irritation, pain, or bleeding. Men with allergies to any of the ingredients or taking nitrates for chest pain should not use these medications.
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To cause an erection before sexual activity, injections or suppositories are injected into the penis or inserted into the urethra. There are several injectable or suppository medications for ED, including alprostadil (Caverject, Edex), papaverine, and phentolamine. They relax the penis muscles and expand its blood vessels. However, these medications may also have some side effects, such as bruising, bleeding, infection, pain, or priapism (a prolonged and painful erection lasting more than four hours). Men with blood disorders, infections, or penis deformities should not use these medications.
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In order to draw blood into your penis and make it erect, you use vacuum devices that you place over your penis and pump. A rubber ring is then placed around your penis base to keep the blood in and maintain the erection. Vacuum devices for ED include VEDs (vacuum erection devices) and VCDs (vacuum constriction devices). In these devices, blood flow is increased and trapped in the penis. There are, however, some drawbacks of these devices, such as discomfort, numbness, coldness, or discoloration of the penis. These devices should not be used by men who have bleeding disorders or who are taking anticoagulants.
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There are two types of penile implants for ED: inflatable ones and malleable ones. Penile implants are surgically implanted into the penis, allowing you to get an erection whenever you want. An inflatable implant consists of two cylinders that are inserted into your penis, a pump placed in your scrotum, and a reservoir placed in your abdomen. When you want an erection, you squeeze the pump to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the cylinders and make your penis rigid. Your penis becomes flaccid when you release the fluid from the reservoir and press a valve to end the erection. It is a device that replaces the natural function of your penis by allowing you to bend it up or down to have an erection or not. Malleable implants are constructed of two rods that are inserted into your penis shaft. There are risks associated with these devices, such as infection, erosion, malfunction, and dissatisfaction with the appearance or performance of the implant. These devices should only be considered as a last resort when other treatments have failed.
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The following are some lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health and reduce your risk of ED.
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Quitting smoking
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Limiting alcohol intake
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Avoiding illegal drugs
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Losing weight
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Exercising regularly
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Eating a balanced diet
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Managing stress
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Getting enough sleep
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Seeking counseling or therapy
These changes work by improving your blood circulation, heart function, hormone balance, mood, and self-esteem.
Prevention of Erectile Dysfunction
The best way to prevent ED is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and treat any underlying medical conditions that may affect your erectile function. Some of the preventive measures for ED are:
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Getting regular check-ups and screenings for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other chronic diseases
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Taking your prescribed medications as directed and informing your doctor about any side effects or interactions
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Following your doctor’s advice on managing any existing health problems
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Avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use
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Keeping a healthy weight and body mass index (BMI)
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Engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week
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Eating a nutritious diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats
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Reducing stress levels and coping with stress in positive ways
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Getting enough rest and relaxation
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Practicing good hygiene and protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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Communicating openly and honestly with your partner about your sexual needs and preferences
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Seeking professional help if you have any emotional or psychological issues that may affect your sexual performance or satisfaction
Any man of any age and background can suffer from erectile dysfunction. If you have symptoms of ED, talk to your doctor about it and explore treatment options. It is not something to be ashamed of or to ignore. It is possible to overcome ED and have a fulfilling sexual life with proper diagnosis and treatment.
