Think about the world’s leading medical problems. You probably think about cancer and heart disease. You can add erectile dysfunction (ED) to that list.
ED affects one-third of all men. Though it has been ignored for years, many health experts now regard it as a pressing public health problem. One reason is that there are many causes for ED.
What are some of its important symptoms? What are the main causes, including age-related ones? How can you receive treatment?
Answer these questions, and you can regain control over all parts of your body. Here is your quick guide.
Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms
The symptoms of erectile dysfunction vary depending on the causes. But nearly all people with it experience a set of similar symptoms.
The most prominent symptom is an inability to achieve an erection. Some people may experience an erection when they wake up, feel nervous, or engage in exercise. But they cannot control it, and it goes away quickly.
Others may experience no erection at all. Even if they feel aroused or try to stimulate themselves, they do not experience one. Some people may experience pain or a tingling sensation in their penis but no erection.
Many people feel depressed or confused when this happens. They may withdraw from their intimate or romantic partners.
Nearly all people with penises experience occasional trouble getting aroused. To qualify as ED, a person must experience trouble for a few months.
Erectile Dysfunction Causes
There are a number of causes of ED. A person may experience a few different ones at once.
Old Age
ED is common amongst older people. Someone with a penis has a 40% chance of developing ED in their 40s. That risk increases by 10% every passing decade.
But dysfunction does not have to do with the aging process. Young people can experience dysfunction as well.
Many older people experience ED because many age-related diseases cause it. If you stay in shape as you get older, you should not worry.
Diabetes
When a person feels aroused, their brain sends signals to vessels in the penis. The vessels open up, and the penis becomes erect. Diabetes can damage the nerves that carry signals and the vessels that hold blood.
If diabetes is causing your ED, you will feel other symptoms. You may notice tingling or numbness in your feet. You may suffer from fatigue.
Obesity
Obesity can spark ED in several ways. Many people who are obese have high blood pressure, which impedes flow into small blood vessels. They may lose muscle in their hips and groin, making it hard to sustain an erection.
Some people take medications to control their blood pressure or cholesterol. Thiazines and beta-blockers can decrease blood pressure to such an extent that vessels in the penis cannot work.
Psychological Issues
Psychological issues can keep a person from getting aroused. A common sign of depression is anhedonia, which is disinterest in activities that a person has found pleasurable. Their blood vessels are working, but their brain does not trigger them.
Anxiety can also lead to disinterest. A person may have their mind on other matters. A person can also become so worried about their sexual performance that they cannot get aroused.
Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can cause ED. They can induce a sense of calm that lowers a person’s libido.
Nervous System Problems
If a person’s nervous system is damaged, their brain cannot send signals to blood vessels. This keeps them closed inside the penis, preventing arousal.
Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis are degenerative conditions of the nerves. A person can also suffer ED if they experienced trauma like a spinal cord injury. Their ED may present alongside numbness and pain in different parts of their body.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
The first step toward treatment is to get a formal diagnosis of your particular condition. Write down any other symptoms you have been having. Then take them to a doctor.
It can be uncomfortable talking about erectile dysfunction. Remember that everything you say to your doctor remains confidential.
You can tell them anything. The only way you can get help is if you are completely honest.
To receive complete treatment, you need to treat the cause of your ED. Diabetes, depression, and nervous system diseases require extensive regimens. There is no complete cure for Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, but you can manage your symptoms.
Your doctor can recommend some procedures for your particular case of ED. The most common procedure is taking medication. Viagra and Cialis stimulate blood flow into the penis.
Psychotherapy can be beneficial for anyone, not just people with depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can clear up reservations you have about your performance. You will address negative thought patterns and find individualized ways of resolving them.
Testosterone replacement therapy can replenish low levels of testosterone. You can receive injections, take medications, or rub gels on yourself. It is a good option for people experiencing low libido and stamina.
Get Help Today
Erectile dysfunction can feel isolating. But you can turn to others for support.
At its core, ED involves an inability to sustain an erection. Anxiety and discomfort can accompany it.
Old age is not a cause. But age-related conditions like diabetes and obesity are. Depression can cause dysfunction by limiting libido, while nervous system disorders can prevent signals from getting to the penis.
You can pursue a range of treatment measures. Taking medication and testosterone has helped many people.
Go to expert testosterone therapists. Tampa Testerone serves the Tampa area. Contact us today.
