Erectile dysfunction or ED is a medical issue that involves the inability for a main to gain or maintain an erection. This leads to a severe decrease in sexual desire and in some cases a complete inability to have any form of sexual intercourse. It is unknown just how many males suffer from ED as there are many undiagnosed cases. This is due to the extremely sensitive nature of the issue itself and many males unwillingness to deal with the problem. With that being said it is estimated that over 5 percent of men over the age of 40 and 25 percent of men over 65 deal with this condition on a regular basis.
An erection within a male occurs when blood enters the two chambers within the penis. When a man is aroused, the blood is sent rushing to the area and the surrounding nerves relax in order to let more in. This relaxation of the nerves and increase blood flow cause the corpora cavernosa to enlarge and increase in size. There is also a membrane known as the tunica albuginea that traps the blood within the area in order for the erection to remain for an extended period of time. When the muscles in the penis contract the blood flow to the penis is slowed down and the erection subsides.
Erectile dysfunction is caused when one of these events does not occur. There are a number of things that need to happen in order for an erection to be sustained and if one does not occur, an erection cannot last. The most common reason for ED is tissue damage that does not allow the process to happen naturally. This can usually be a side effect of other diseases and medical conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and kidney disease. On top of this, physical damage to the penis and mental conditions can also cause erectile dysfunction. Some common medicine such as antidepressants and blood pressure drugs can also lead to these issues. Mental conditions such as an increase in stress, guilt or low self esteem can also increase a male’s risk of contracting ED.
There are a number of treatments available for erectile dysfunction including psychological therapies, drugs and even surgery. Depending on the individual case different remedies may be more suitable for different people. When it comes to drug therapy, Viagra has become known as the international treatment of ED since the late 1990s. It works by increasing the chemicals within the body that are needed to perform all the tasks that go into causing and sustaining an erection. The drug was actually discovered by accident and was created as a treatment for angina.
Some men choose to go the route of penile injections or choose to use vacuum devices. With a penile injection certain drugs are injected directly into the penis in order to cause an erection. Vacuum devices work by creating a vacuum surrounding the penis that forces blood to the region. These devices consist of a cylinder, a pump and an elastic band.
When it comes to surgery for erectile dysfunction there are a few options including implanted devices, inflatable cylinders or a surgical removal of damaged arteries that are causing a blockage. Each case of ED is different and doctors will prescribe different remedies for different people but usually surgery is used as a last resort.
© Insider Health
An erection within a male occurs when blood enters the two chambers within the penis. When a man is aroused, the blood is sent rushing to the area and the surrounding nerves relax in order to let more in. This relaxation of the nerves and increase blood flow cause the corpora cavernosa to enlarge and increase in size. There is also a membrane known as the tunica albuginea that traps the blood within the area in order for the erection to remain for an extended period of time. When the muscles in the penis contract the blood flow to the penis is slowed down and the erection subsides.
Erectile dysfunction is caused when one of these events does not occur. There are a number of things that need to happen in order for an erection to be sustained and if one does not occur, an erection cannot last. The most common reason for ED is tissue damage that does not allow the process to happen naturally. This can usually be a side effect of other diseases and medical conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and kidney disease. On top of this, physical damage to the penis and mental conditions can also cause erectile dysfunction. Some common medicine such as antidepressants and blood pressure drugs can also lead to these issues. Mental conditions such as an increase in stress, guilt or low self esteem can also increase a male’s risk of contracting ED.
There are a number of treatments available for erectile dysfunction including psychological therapies, drugs and even surgery. Depending on the individual case different remedies may be more suitable for different people. When it comes to drug therapy, Viagra has become known as the international treatment of ED since the late 1990s. It works by increasing the chemicals within the body that are needed to perform all the tasks that go into causing and sustaining an erection. The drug was actually discovered by accident and was created as a treatment for angina.
Some men choose to go the route of penile injections or choose to use vacuum devices. With a penile injection certain drugs are injected directly into the penis in order to cause an erection. Vacuum devices work by creating a vacuum surrounding the penis that forces blood to the region. These devices consist of a cylinder, a pump and an elastic band.
When it comes to surgery for erectile dysfunction there are a few options including implanted devices, inflatable cylinders or a surgical removal of damaged arteries that are causing a blockage. Each case of ED is different and doctors will prescribe different remedies for different people but usually surgery is used as a last resort.
© Insider Health
