Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is not something that affects only a few of us. One-third of men experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives, but only 10% of those affected seek treatment. Therefore, erectile dysfunction is not uncommon, but unfortunately, few seek help. Erectile dysfunction falls under the term erectile dysfunction, but what does this actually entail?

Erectile dysfunction is a broad term that encompasses everything from difficulties in achieving a full erection to problems with achieving orgasm. Other symptoms may include being able to achieve an erection, but it not lasting long enough to complete sexual intercourse. It may also be that the penis does not become hard enough. These symptoms must occur in at least 25 percent of situations before it is defined as a medical problem.

The most common causes of erection problems are psychological conditions. This can involve depression, performance anxiety, but also negative experiences from previous sexual encounters. If you typically get erections and orgasm through masturbation or if morning erections are intact, this can help determine if the problem is psychological or disease-related.

There is a lot of shame associated with this, and it is possible that one may end up in a kind of vicious circle when encountering problems in this area. But remember, one-third of men are affected during their lifetime, and there are solutions to the problem.

Who can experience erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can have many different causes. On one hand, there are physiological causes such as hormonal disturbances due to aging. With increasing age, testosterone production in men weakens. Lower testosterone levels will not directly affect an erection, but can significantly weaken sex drive. Diabetes, on the other hand, is also a common cause of erection problems due to damage to both blood vessels and nerves caused by long-term poor control of blood sugar. High blood pressure and narrowing of blood vessels are also common causes of erectile dysfunction. Other physiological explanations for the problem may include diseases affecting the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s.

On the other hand, we have psychological factors such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Here, one can easily end up in a vicious circle where performance anxiety can make matters worse, or depression can be exacerbated by the inability to perform sexually. These are problems that can be difficult to talk about despite the fact that erectile dysfunction is actually not uncommon.

Other causes of erectile dysfunction can be alcohol consumption, smoking, side effects of medications, as well as high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol.

Contrary to what many may think, erectile dysfunction affects many young men, and it is often the psychological factors that are the most common cause. Young men may feel great pressure to perform during sexual intercourse, which can have the opposite effect. The pressure can be so intense that it leads to performance anxiety. Performance anxiety can lead to anxiety in itself. All this leads to stress, and in the worst case, one may end up with low self-esteem where one is unable to perform sexually. Sex is an important part of life, and failing in this area can be very burdensome.

What can you do yourself?

High alcohol consumption and smoking not only affect our general health but also our sexual health. Both are causes of erection problems. Focusing on a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and physical activity can have a positive impact on sexual health. Lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabetes as well as heart and vascular diseases are primary factors for erection problems.

But it is not only a healthy diet and physical activity that are the answer when it comes to sexual health. It is important to have a safe partner whom you can talk to. Communication is key, and it is super important to be able to convey your thoughts and feelings in all types of relationships. Erectile dysfunction can affect anyone, and problems in this area do not mean that the desire is not present. It is easy to think that the partner does not want to have sex, but this is not the reason. In many cases, the man still experiences nocturnal erections or erections during masturbation. In these cases, the problem is not physical but psychological.

This is where stress, anxiety, and fear become a major factor. Communication with your partner is very important and crucial to solving the psychological issues surrounding this. Sexual intercourse is intimate, but sometimes a conversation can feel twice as close. It is important to be open and receptive. Sitting down and actually talking about anxiety or fear can bring you and your partner closer, and thus help lower the shoulders and trivialize the problem of erectile dysfunction. Such a conversation can also create space for openness about sexual fantasies and new experiences.

There are a variety of treatments for erectile dysfunction. The most important thing is to identify the cause of the problem before starting treatment. For some, talk therapy with a therapist may be enough, while others may receive counseling regarding lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, alcohol dependence, or physical activity and diet. For some, the cause may be illness or other physiological reasons.

Medication

There are a variety of medications in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The most common are medications that work by dilating the blood vessels in the penis so that blood flow improves. These are most commonly known as Viagra and are a very common treatment where one takes tablets about half an hour before intercourse. Side effects are rare, and the nice thing about this type of treatment is that the tablets can help regardless of the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, this medication is dangerous for people with heart disease, high or low blood pressure, or people who have had a stroke. The tablets are also not recommended if one has suffered from the condition priapism. This is a condition where one experiences prolonged painful erections.

With low testosterone, one can receive supplements in the form of gel or injection. This treatment is taken daily. In some cases where tablets have not had the desired effect, one may receive injections that must be administered directly into the penis. The injection is self-administered. This type of treatment can be painful and is not for everyone. A less painful variation to injections is small pills that are inserted into the urethra using an insertion sheath.

Penis Pump

A penis pump can have many advantages. This works by inserting the penis into a tube connected to a pump. The pump creates pressure that sucks blood into the penis. So, the penis pump creates an erection! After achieving the desired erection, one puts a ring around the base of the penis to maintain the erection for the entire duration of intercourse. Side effects of the pump can be bruises, and one should remove the penis ring after about half an hour. Read also our article “The Advantages of Using a Penis Pump.”

We have looked at different penis pumps, and two of them stood out. Read more about them here. 

A penis pump is undoubtedly the easiest way to a larger and more powerful penis but also helps those who need a little extra help getting a full erection.