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ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a consistent inabilty to sustain erection sufficient for sexual intercourse and is a medical condition that can affect a couple's love life and a man's emotional well being. As with other health problems, erectile dysfunction causes can be due to physical ED or psychological erectile dysfunction. Physical ED often indicates a disease of the blood vessels, thus it shares similar risk factors with those for metabolic syndrome - eg high blood glucose level, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol.
Erectile Dysfunction Causes
If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, one of the following factors is probably to blame:
Cardiovascular disease: High blood pressure, atherosclerosis (narrowing or hardening of the arteries), and other disorders of the heart and blood vessels can hamper the flow of blood to the penis.
Medications : Some medications like beta-blockers,diuretics to treat hypertension are examples of medications that cause erectile dysfunction
Smoking: Cigarette smoking constricts and damages blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the penis.
Psychological erectile dysfunction: Relationship problems also have a direct effect on a couple's sex life. Feelings of resentment or hostility harboured by either partner can derail intimacy. Stress, anxiety, guilt feelings, depression,and low self-esteem can all trigger ED.
Age : As a man ages, his testosterone level falls. This hormone is responsible for a man's libido - a low blood testosterone level contributes to a reduced interest in sex. Again, this acts on the man's ego and may contribute to a psychological erectile dysfunction manifestation of ED - that 'it's all in the mind
Prostate surgery: Some men had problems achieving erections after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer.
Other erectile dysfunction causes: Alcoholism, pelvic injuries (such as fractures), damage to the nerves that control blood flow to the penis, multiple sclerosis and below-normal levels of testosterone can all lead to ED.
Medications That Cause Erectile Dysfunction
Many commonly used drugs can short-circuit the process that leads to erections by interrupting nerve impulses or blood flow to the penis. Some examples: antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilisers, appetite suppressants, and blood pressure medications like beta-blockers anddiuretics. If you develop erection difficulties while taking antidepressants or blood pressure medicines, remember the reasons you're taking them. Stopping them isn't necessarily the answer. Always get your doctor's advice before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
Psychological Erectile Dysfunction
Psychological erectile dysfunction is very common, and it occurs for a variety of reasons and at different ages.
Erectile dysfunction at young age : The most frequent erectile dysfunction cause amoung teenegers and young men is anxiety, especially when they are nervous about having sex, about causing a pregnancy, or about using a condom.
Middle age. Common erectile dysfunction causes in this age group are overworked, stress, guilt and bereavement. Erectile dysfunction often happens when a widowed man tries to form a new sexual relationship. A few cases are due to diabetes. Because this disease can damage nerves that control blood flow and blood vessels themselves, blood flow to the penis can be impaired
If you have difficulty getting an erection,consult your GP. Treatment of erectile dysfunction depends on the cause of erectile dysfunction. The doctor has first to determine if the erectile dysfunction causes are physical or if it is psychological erectile dysfunction. If it is psychological, counselling or psychotherapy may be needed. If the erectile dysfunction causes are physical in nature, the doctor will need to screen you for health tests before fixing your erectile dysfunction.
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