Did you know that erectile dysfunction affects 18 million men over the age of 20 in the United States? That’s a lot of people!
You’d think that, with so many men struggling with the same condition, it would be easy for men to talk about it and seek out treatment. In fact, it’s just the opposite. A cloud of shame surrounds erectile dysfunction (ED), meaning shockingly few men ever seek treatment. Are you one of those men?
If you are, keep reading. We’re going to dispel some myths and shed some light on this topic, so that you feel confident enough to seek out the solutions available to you.
Just the Facts
You already know that 18 million American men suffer from ED. Let’s add to that statistic: 40 percent of men experience some degree of erectile dysfunction before they reach 40. That percentage increases to 70 percent by age seventy.
In medical terms, erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sex.
What keeps the penis from getting firm enough for sex? To know that, we first need to understand what’s inside your penis. There are two long, cylindrical chambers called the corpora cavernosa, which contain blood vessels and tissues. Each chamber includes one major artery.
During arousal, your brain sends chemical messages to the blood vessels in your penis. These messages tell the vessels to open up wider so that more blood can flow into your penis. The pressure from all of that blood getting trapped in the corpora cavernosa causes the penis to get hard. If the blood flow to your penis is low or if the blood fails to stay inside your penis, you can end up with erectile dysfunction.
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
The symptoms of erectile dysfunction aren’t hard to identify. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have difficulty achieving an erection?
- Is it difficult for you to maintain an erection?
- Have you lost interest in sex?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are likely suffering from the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Pop culture has oversimplified the male sex drive. Even in men, sexual arousal is a complex process. Although arousal starts in your brain, it also involves your muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, as well as being impacted by hormones and emotions. It essentially involves your whole body. This can make it difficult to identify the specific causes of erectile dysfunction because so many different areas of your body might be causing the issue.
Nonetheless, some causes of erectile dysfunction have been found. They can be grouped into two categories: physical and psychological. If you are suffering from ED, the reason could come from one or both of these categories.
Physical Causes
Let’s start with physical causes. Most of the physical causes of ED are related to circulation and blood pressure. When you look at the mechanics of erectile dysfunction, this makes perfect sense. Anything that affects the amount of blood flowing to the penis is going to cause problems.
If you have heart disease, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, you are at a higher risk for ED.
Diabetes can also contribute to ED because it damages your nerves and blood vessels.
Certain medications have been associated with causing or intensifying ED, so you could check with your doctor to see if any medications you’ve been prescribed might be causing you problems.
Changes in blood pressure, body composition, and cholesterol caused by obesity and metabolic syndrome could also be the reason for ED.
Erectile dysfunction can also be a side effect of conditions like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders, Peyronie’s disease, alcoholism, smoking, and drug abuse.
Psychological Causes
The psychological causes of ED are a little less tangible but still pack the same punch. Many men – especially men under 40 years of age – experience ED because of psychological issues. Remember what we said earlier? Arousal starts in the brain. This means that psychological problems can play their part in causing erectile dysfunction.
Depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions can make it more difficult for you to become aroused. No libido means no erection.
The stress hormone, cortisol, can also run interference on your brain and block the signals required to increase blood flow to your penis.
Often, the erectile dysfunction itself can create psychological issues that develop into performance anxiety. For example, a person experiencing erectile dysfunction even for a short period of time might have their confidence knocked. Low confidence and anxiety about sex can then lead to further problems in achieving and maintaining an erection. When that happens, you end up with a vicious circle of sexual performance issues.
Getting the Answers You Need
Pinning down the specific cause for your erectile dysfunction may take some effort, but it will be worth it. If you’re already suffering from erectile dysfunction, then you know that it can:
- Damage your self-esteem,
- Affect relationships,
- Cause relentless stress.
There’s no reason for you to keep suffering. Doctors are well aware of erectile dysfunction and the issues that surround it. When you are ready to tackle the problem head-on, visit your doctor. Be prepared to talk openly about the problems you’ve been having. Your doctor will keep the visit professional and confidential. To them, it’s just another medical condition, so there’s no need to feel any shame about it.
Typically, diagnosing erectile dysfunction requires little more than a physical exam and a review of your symptoms and medical history. Sometimes, an underlying health problem may be the cause, so a doctor may suggest additional testing.
Take Action Now
Don’t let your libido and your sex life slip away. Once the cause of your erectile dysfunction is determined, there are plenty of treatment options out there. They usually fall under the following categories:
- Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
- Psychotherapy
- Vacuum Constriction Devices
- Surgery
- Lifestyle changes
How We Can Help
Our mission at Neighborhood Wellness Clinic is to help you live your best life. Most erectile dysfunction treatments only treat the symptoms, and they’re often time-limited as well. That means you need to plan ahead before getting intimate and make sure you take a pill or a shot. Even then, the effects will wear off in a few hours.
There’s only one scientifically valid option to truly regain erectile function and have a spontaneous and unconstrained sex life again. That’s the eVive Pulse Wave device. eVive sends out low-intensity acoustic waves that increase blood flow to your penis. It also breaks up decades of built-up micro plaques in your penis, which allows for increased healthy blood flow.
eVive is perfectly safe and treats the root cause of your erectile dysfunction. As a result, you’ll experience ongoing improvements over time.
There’s no shame here – only solutions! Don’t put your love life on hold any longer; schedule a consultation today!