Formerly known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or keep a penile erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Most men will experience erectile dysfunction at some point but are hesitant to ask their doctors about it, so we gathered the most commonly asked questions about erectile dysfunction.
- 1. Is ED normal?
- What causes ED?
- Is it permanent?
- How do I know if I have erectile dysfunction?
- How is it treated?
- What are the common ED treatments?
Read on to learn more about the answers to each question.
1. Is erectile dysfunction normal?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common; men of various ages can sometimes experience it when they’re stressed. However, progressive and frequent ED can signify potential health issues that require treatment by a medical professional.
2. What causes erectile dysfunction?
The physical cause of ED is either limited blood flow to the penis (which prevents it from hardening), an inability to retain blood, or nerve damage. Stress and emotions can also play a role in ED. However, it can also be a symptom of serious illnesses like heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of arteries.
How do erections work? During sexual arousal, nerves signal the release of chemicals that increase blood flow into two spongy muscle chambers in the penis. Upon orgasm, nerves release another set of chemical signals that release the blood back into circulation.
Here are the known risk factors for ED:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Smoking
- Drug use
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood pressure
- Being over the age of 50
- Emotional concerns (anxiety, depression, severe stress)
3. How can I get tested for erectile dysfunction?
While there is no specific ED test, men can undertake genital-focused (penis and testicles) tests to check for ED. The test may also check your heart and blood pressure, as well as examine your family history.
Depending on your age, your doctor may also perform a rectal exam to check your prostate gland.
Here are some advanced ED tests to guide treatment:
- Blood work to check male hormone levels and blood sugar
- Ultrasonography to check blood flow
- A vascular stimulant shot directly into the penis to cause an erection
- Pelvic X-rays
- Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), an overnight test for sleep erection
4. Is erectile dysfunction permanent?
ED is usually treatable with either medication or surgery. Treating the underlying causes and making lifestyle changes can also help reverse symptoms without the need for medication. Psychological and emotional causes of ED are treatable with counseling or psychological therapy.
5. How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
You may be dealing with ED when you have the following symptoms:
- Inability to get an erection
- Inability to maintain an erection
- A reduced desire for sexual activity
6. What are common treatments for erectile dysfunction?
Doctors may start assessing your risk factors for any lifestyle changes that you can implement. This involves changing food habits, incorporating exercise, limiting/omitting alcohol and drug use, or beginning counseling to treat the psychological or emotional causes of ED. Doctors will often try using non-invasive treatments first, like medications and hormone therapy.
Here are the most common non-invasive ED treatments:
- Testosterone therapy
- Penile injections
- Intraurethral medication
- Oral drugs (PDE5 inhibitors) like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, or Stendra
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