What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction causes include: 

1. Cardiovascular diseases: These include heart attack and stroke narrow your arteries. It restricts blood flow to the penis, resulting in a bad experience. Such diseases are caused along with high cholesterol and blood pressure which contributes to erectile dysfunction. 

2. Diabetes: People experiencing the signs of diabetes often complain about erectile dysfunction. Any spikes in your sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves. It leads to improper blood flow, reducing the chances of proper erection. 

3. Hormonal imbalance: These include low testosterone levels which impact your sexual functions. Testosterone is important for erectile function and libido, which leads to reduced sexual desire. Some other hormonal issues impacting this condition are increased prolactin levels. 

4. Mental Health: Do you suffer from stress and anxiety? Understanding the difference between stress and anxiety is crucial, as both factors can build performance pressure in the bed, causing failure fear. Thus, it is said, your mental and emotional health impacts your sexual life. Therefore, you must seek help to avoid these conditions.

5. Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy choices result in erectile dysfunction. Regular smoking damages your blood vessels. Whereas, alcohol consumption impacts your urge to have sex. This occurs as alcohol consumption depresses your central nervous system. Not performing physical exercises leads to increased weight. This increases the underlying cardiovascular risk and diabetes. If not treated well, this results in erectile dysfunction. 

List Major Risk Factors

Some factors which increase risks are:

• Cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks can be life-threatening. It's important to recognize the symptoms of a minor heart attack, which may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent more severe complications.
  
  

• Patients are experiencing chronic health diseases. 

• Being overweight or obese condition.

• Certain medical treatments like prostate surgery. 

• Damaged nerves and arteries 

• Physiological conditions like anxiety and depression. 

• Regular alcohol consumption  

List of tests to diagnose erectile dysfunction

Common tests to diagnose the early stages of erectile dysfunction include:

• Blood tests.

• Lipid panel.

• Complete blood count.

• Thyroid tests.

• Liver function tests

• kidney function tests.

• Testosterone test.

• Urinalysis.

• Penile Doppler ultrasound.

• Magnetic resonance angiogram

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Some major treatment for erectile dysfunction:

1. Oral medications 

People suffering from this condition are recommended erectile dysfunction medication like phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. It includes:

• Sildenafil 

• Tadalafil 

• Vardenafil 

• Avanafil 

These medicines improve blood flow to the penis. It facilitates erections along with sexual stimulation. You may see quick results if you are taking medicine for erectile dysfunction. Get in touch with a professional to avoid side effects.

2. Changes in your Lifestyle 

One major reason for this condition is improper lifestyle. Therefore, making changes in your lifestyle is important as it positively impacts this condition. Some major steps include:

Quitting smoking offers numerous advantages. One significant health benefit of quitting smoking is the improvement in cardiovascular health, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, it enhances lung function, decreases the chances of developing cancer, and improves overall well-being.

Increasing physical activity has numerous advantages. Regular exercise can enhance cardiovascular health, boost mental well-being, and strengthen muscles and bones. Additionally, it helps in maintaining a healthy weight, improving sleep quality, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

These results in weight loss and managing chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. 

3. Psychological Counseling 

These patients should attend therapy to treat the underlying stress and sadness. Relationship problems that may exacerbate ED can be resolved and performance anxiety can be addressed. Additionally, self-esteem can be raised with the aid of cognitive behavioral therapy and other psychotherapies.

4. Penile Injections and Suppositories

Supplements like MUSE or penile injections like alprostadil can be used for people who don't react well to oral drugs. With these therapies, an erection is induced, and blood flow is improved by injecting drugs directly into the penis or urethra. Many men find them beneficial, but they can have negative effects and need to be properly trained.

5. Vacuum Erection Devices

VEDs are used to create extra space around the penis, which draws them into it and causes an erection. After having an erection, a constriction ring is kept at the penis base to maintain the erection. It is an effective and non-invasive process that requires continuous practice for comfortable usage.

Conclusion

Erectile Dysfunction is commonly experienced by adults and older people. Do you feel dissatisfied with your sexual life? You must visit the doctor immediately. Common causes of this condition include diabetes and cardiovascular health. You may be involved in an open conversation with your healthcare expert to get proper treatment. Want to know how to treat ED? We have got you covered. The doctor will conduct a blood test to determine any underlying health condition. We hope this article helped you understand about erectile dysfunction in detail.