It’s a fact that men are hesitant to talk about ED, and their reasons may range from fear of the unknown to simple embarrassment. But what really causes ED? And is there a cure for it?
What is ED?
Erectile dysfunction or ED is the inability to achieve and sustain an erection fitting for sexual intercourse. ED is not normal and is totally different from other common problems that affects or gets in the way with sexual intercourse. The most common sexual problems that are in no way related to ED are lack of sexual desire, problems with ejaculation, and problems related to orgasm.
Is ED Common?
Statistics from the National Institutes of Health reveals that roughly 5% of men who are 40 years old men and 15% and 25% of men who are 65 years experience ED on a long-term basis.
How Will You Know If What You Have Is ED?
What is your experience? If you failed to achieve an erection, say, less than 20% of the time, there’s no need to worry. This is not unusual and treatment is hardly ever needed. However, if you fail to achieve an erection more than 50% of the time, this shows that there is a problem which requires treatment.
An occasional failure to achieve an erection is normal, especially when one is extremely tired or if the person is an alcohol drinker.
What Causes ED or Erectile Dysfunction?
ED happens:
- When the nerves to the penis is not functioning properly;
- When the blood circulation into the penis is not adequate;
- When the veins are unable to “trap and keep” the blood inside the penis; and
- When there’s no stimulus from the brain.
Frequent causes of ED include diseases that impinge on the blood flow such as Atherosclerosis or the hardening of the arteries; Venous leakage meaning weak veins; Nerve diseases; Psychological factors such as stress, depression, and performance anxiety; Injury to the penis; Chronic illness; Certain medications; and Peyronie’s disease or scar tissue in the penis.
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Is ED Preventable?
For men who are at risk of developing ED due to unhealthy personal behavior such as drinking too much alcohol, yes, ED may be prevented. Lifestyle changes such as total abstinence from alcoholic beverages may greatly increase the possibility of avoiding ED. However, other causes of ED may not be preventable, such as blood vessel problems and diabetes.
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