What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile Dysfunction, also referred to as impotence, is the condition in which a male is incapable of keeping an erection strong enough to perform sexual intercourse. It is a common condition that many men experience during times of stress or due to any pre-existing medical conditions. If men experience ED very often then that could mean that there is a serious heart problem involved or that there are difficulties in one’s relationship. 

What Causes ED?

This condition can happen at any stage of the erection. Common causes of erectile dysfunction include:

• High Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Stress
• Older age
• Stress, anxiety, and depression
• Usage of drugs and too much tobacco

What Are The Symptoms Of Erectile Dysfunction And How Can You Check? 

You experience erectile dysfunction regularly if you have the following symptoms:

• Problems with getting an erection.
• Cannot maintain an erection during sexual intercourse or any sexual activity. 
• Lost interest in sex.

You should consult an andrologist immediately once you spot these symptoms or at least if they have been appearing for around 3 months since you might not know how serious your condition might be. 

You can get a number of tests done to see if you have ED such as a physical examination. The doctor may ask you questions about your health or sexual history to determine your condition, an ultrasound, an NPT (Nocturnal penile tumescence) test, an injection test, and urine and blood tests. 

How To Treat It?

There are a variety of treatments available for ED ranging from lifestyle and relationship counselling to medication, surgical procedures or getting injected. If you spot symptoms of erectile dysfunction then you should immediately consult an andrologist so that they can recommend the correct treatment for you accordingly.

Most of the time, temporary treatments are available for erectile dysfunction but they wear off after a while. There are general medications available that can direct your blood flow to the penis and stimulate an erection.

There are other treatments available as well such as; testosterone therapy if your testosterone levels are below average; talking therapy for causes that are psychological such as stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD; and vacuum pumps which are used to trigger an erection. The vacuum pump method is used to draw blood in the penis through a device. 

How Can You Prevent It?

There are several ways in which you can prevent yourself from suffering erectile dysfunction. You can choose to keep your chronic conditions under control through regular workout. Maintain a healthy weight, follow a healthy diet, stop smoking or consume an average amount of alcohol, and seek help if you are suffering through intense levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. 

Erectile dysfunction is related to blood flow and you maintain your blood flow through your diet, therefore, lifestyle changes can help significantly in preventing ED or in treating it naturally. You should follow a diet solely based on whole-grain foods, vegetables and fruits. You should consume limited amounts of red meat, dairy, and refined sugar. 

For more information about erectile dysfunction, consult with our experts today.