Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction may include physical and psychological issues. For instance, a minor physical condition that slows your sexual response might cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The anxiety that it causes may lead to or worsen erectile dysfunction.
Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex, which is also known as impotence. If this condition is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress which could affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction symptoms might include persistent:
- Reduced sexual desire
- Trouble getting and keeping an erection
If you have any erectile problems, see your doctor right away if you have:
- Diabetes, heart disease, or another known health condition that might be associated with erectile dysfunction
- Concerns about your erections or you’re experiencing other sexual problems such as premature or delayed ejaculation
- Other symptoms along with erectile dysfunction
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Male sexual arousal is a complicated process that includes the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. Any of these can lead to erectile dysfunction. Stress and mental health concerns can also worsen erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a combination of physical and psychological issues. An erection might be difficult to maintain if you suffer from a minor condition that slows your sexual response. Erectile dysfunction can be worsened or caused by anxiety.
How To Diagnose Erectile Dysfunction?
For several people, a physical exam and answering questions are all that is needed for a doctor to diagnose erectile dysfunction and recommend a treatment. If you have chronic health conditions or your doctor suspects that an underlying condition might be involved, you might need further tests or a consultation with a specialist including:
- Blood tests
- Physical exam
- Psychological exam
- Urine tests
Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction
The first thing your doctor will do is to make sure you’re getting the right treatment for any health conditions that could be causing or worsening your erectile dysfunction.
Oral medications are a successful erectile dysfunction treatment for many men. They include:
These medications enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a natural chemical your body produces that relaxes muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow and allows you to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation. Sexual stimulation is needed first to cause the release of nitric oxide from your penile nerves. These medications amplify that signal which allows normal penile function in some people. Your doctor will consider your particular situation to determine which medication might work best.