Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a condition that affects the penis. It makes it hard to get or keep an erection strong enough for sex.
Your emotions are important for getting and keeping an erection.
Feeling calm, confident, and turned on helps. But it’s normal to have trouble sometimes. Erection problems can happen if you are stressed, worried, upset, or tired. Drinking alcohol or using drugs can also affect your ability to get an erection. Other health problems or side effects from certain medicines or cancer treatments can cause ED too.
If you’re having trouble getting or keeping an erection, you should talk to a healthcare provider.
ED can be an early sign of other health problems, like heart disease. It’s important to see a doctor if you’re having erection issues.
Other names for ED include:
– Impotence
– Impotency
There Are Different Types of ED
Healthcare professionals classify it into several kinds:
-Vascular erectile dysfunction happens when there’s a problem with blood flow to the penis or with the valves that hold blood inside.
This is the most common type of ED.
– Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction occurs when there’s a problem with the nerves that send signals from the brain to the penis.
This can happen after injuries, surgery, radiation, or diseases like stroke, spinal stenosis, or multiple sclerosis.
– Hormonal Erectile Dysfunction happens when there’s a lack of testosterone or other hormone issues, like thyroid problems.
– Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction is caused by mental health issues like stress, anxiety, or depression that affect your thoughts, feelings, or behavior. You can also check Erectile dysfunction treatment singapore for more information.
Erectile dysfunction is the most common sexual problem reported by men, especially as they get older and have other health issues.
The usual age for ED is between 40 and 70.
Over half of men in this age group may have ED, but many don’t talk about it because they feel embarrassed or ashamed.
The Symptoms of ED
– Having an erection only sometimes before sex.
– Getting an erection before sex but not being able to keep it during sex.
– Not being able to get an erection at all.
– Needing a lot of stimulation to keep an erection.
There are many reasons why ED happens.
These can include:
–Circulatory System Issues – The blood vessels throughout your body are important for getting an erection.
The penis needs enough blood to become and stay erect. It also has valves that close when blood flows in – sometimes these valves don’t work properly.
– Nervous System Issues – Your brain, spinal cord, and nerves control how your body moves and feels, including the penis.
– Endocrine System Issues – The glands in your body produce hormones that control various functions.
Testosterone, for example, helps relax blood vessels, which allows more blood to flow to the penis.