Erectile dysfunction, (the medical term for impotence) is an extremely common condition. It is estimated that approximately fifty per cent of men between the ages of 40 and 70 will suffer with the condition to some extent.
Put simply, erectile dysfunction is an inability or having difficulty gaining and maintaining an erection for enough time to gain satisfaction from sex.
Erectile dysfunction can be the result of both physical and psychological causes.
Physical causes of ED can include:
Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction can include:
Although it may be difficult or embarrassing to talk to your doctor about erectile dysfunction, it is important to remember that this is a very common problem and one that is more treatable today than ever before. There is no need to suffer in silence.
Your doctor will normally be able to diagnose the cause of your erectile dysfunction after a brief consultation. The consultation will normally consist of some questions about your symptoms, some simple tests and a physical examination.
Treatments for erectile dysfunction have literally moved on in leaps and bounds in the last fifteen years and more and more men are having a satisfying and issue-free sex life than ever before.
If your doctor believes the root cause of your ED to be a narrowing of the arteries then he may suggest that you loose some weight, take some more exercise and improve your general cardiovascular health.
You may be prescribed statins to lower your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and medication to treat the narrowing of the arteries.
There are also various medications available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Medications such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and MUSE are successful in over two thirds of cases, a staggering result, when one considers that these drugs are not even twenty years old.
Vacuum pumps are also extremely successful. They cause blood to flow into the penis and, in about 90 per cent of cases, cause the penis to become erect.
Psychological treatments for erectile dysfunction include sex counselling and cognitive behaviousral therapy.
Treatments for ED have improved dramatically over the last few years so speak to your doctor and find out what is available for you.