Erectile dysfunction. Two words that no man ever wants to hear, particularly during a doctor’s visit. Yet at the same time, many men who develop trouble with their erections are desperate to put a label on their problem in the hope of moving quickly from diagnosis to effective treatment. This six-part ED Guide was created to help you do just that… get on with your life.
ED By Any Other Name
When first confronted with a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, what some men fail to realize is that ED is something of a catch-all phrase applied to a whole range of disorders. The term does not signify a disease that always has the same cause or treatment, and the severity of the ED often varies considerably from one man to the next.
Hence, to answer the question, ‘Is this what you call erectile dysfunction?‘, one must first understand the basic definition of ED and then compare it to one’s own experience, taking into account factors like age, symptoms, cause, severity and duration of the problem.
How Long Has This Been Going On?
Most medical dictionaries define erectile dysfunction as a man’s repeated inability to achieve an erection or maintain one long enough to complete the sex act. Physicians generally agree that for the problem to be characterized as ED, this inability must be a repeating or chronic problem and not just an isolated incident or two.
The fact is that most men will, for a variety of reasons, have difficulty getting or keeping an erection at one time or another. This may be caused by a variety of factors including fatigue, stress, and alcohol consumption to name a few. Isolated occurrences like this rarely require treatment and often resolve themselves; so unless they are part of a pattern, they should not be considered true erectile dysfunction.
ED or Normal Aging?
As most men age, they will notice a change in their erectile function, which is normal and should not necessarily be termed erectile dysfunction. Older men typically take longer to get an erection and may require more direct stimulation. In addition, older men’s erections may not be as hard and their orgasms may lack the intensity of when they were younger.
For men over the age of 65, none of the above conditions are unusual and they are typically no cause for alarm. However, if there is a sudden or persistent change in erectile function, then a physician should be consulted to determine a likely cause and possible treatment.
Bear in mind, though, that for some men there is a fine line between a change in erectile function and erectile dysfunction. If a man is unable to achieve and maintain an adequate erection, whether it’s once in a while or often, as long as the condition is affecting his self-image or sexual relationship, then most doctors would characterize it as ED.
That’s Not ED!
Some men mistakenly believe that premature ejaculation is the same as erectile dysfunction. While both ED and premature ejaculation can be associated with a loss of erection, the two conditions are dramatically different.
Premature ejaculation occurs when a man is unable to delay or control his ejaculation during the early stages of sexual excitement. While premature ejaculation is often considered a sexual dysfunction, the problem (unlike erectile dysfunction) does not prevent a man from having an orgasm during sex. In addition, the cause and treatment options for premature ejaculation are quite different than those for ED.
Let’s Get Physical
For men who believe they have erectile dysfunction, it’s best to see a doctor. Since there are a variety of causes of ED, consulting with a doctor can often help men determine what’s at the root of their specific problem and what they can do about it.
To begin, a doctor can diagnose whether there is a physical cause of your erectile dysfunction. A variety of diseases including kidney disease, diabetes, neurological disease and vascular disease are known to cause or be associated with ED.
Other physical conditions can also cause or contribute to erectile dysfunction. Enlargement of the prostate, surgery, injury, hormonal imbalances, or using certain prescription drugs can all lead to ED.
A doctor can also identify any lifestyle factors that may be related to your erectile dysfunction. Smoking, recreational drug use and excessive alcohol consumption can all lead to physical changes in the body, which in turn can cause or exacerbate ED. Through consultation and one or more tests, your doctor will usually be able to pinpoint if there is a physical cause of your erectile dysfunction.
All In My Head?
Apart from the various physical conditions that may be identified as causing erectile dysfunction, a range of psychological factors can also trigger ED.
Anxiety (in particular sexual performance anxiety), stress and marital issues can all cause a man to have difficulty getting and keeping an erection. Guilt, depression and low self-esteem can also lead to a man developing ED or worsening the effect of the condition once he has it.
It is natural for sexual desire to decline with age in both men and women. For men, a lower libido may bring about feelings of inadequacy or some of the other mental states noted above. So it is not uncommon for a lower sex drive to play a role in erectile dysfunction, even though it may not directly cause it.
So Now What?
Once a man has determined that he does indeed suffer from erectile dysfunction and he understands the cause or causes of his condition, the good news is he’s already won half the battle.
With a clear understanding of the background and cause, a variety of safe and effective ED treatment options may be considered. These include:
- prescription medications (penile injections, Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra pills)
- mechanical devices like vacuum pumps or implants,
- lifestyle and medication changes,
- counseling.
Of course, the best treatment option for your erectile dysfunction will depend on its cause as well as your age, medical history and other factors.
Click here for the next part in the Erectile Dysfunction Guide series: Symptoms & Types
