A person suffering from erectile dysfunction will frequently struggle to achieve or maintain a firm enough erection to engage in sexual activity. This can have an impact on both sexual activity and quality of life, but assistance is available. Some people have difficulty with their penis hardening or remaining firm on occasion. However, according to Markus MacGill, erectile dysfunction (ED) is frequently only a concern if satisfactory sexual performance is consistently impossible. Since the discovery that the drug sildenafil, or Viagra, affected penile erections, there has been a greater understanding that ED is a treatable condition. People who have a problem with their sexual performance, on the other hand, may be hesitant to talk to their doctor because it is an embarrassing issue. ED is now well understood, and there are numerous treatments available.

According to Irvin H. Hirsch, up to 20 million people in the United States may suffer from ED. The condition affects more than half of people over the age of 50, and its prevalence rises with age. Problems with a person's blood flow, nervous system, and hormone levels can all impair erectile function. A person may also develop ED as a result of psychological factors, such as sexual performance anxiety. The majority of ED cases are secondary. This means that erectile function was previously normal but has now become problematic. Physical causes are usually the root of a new and persistent problem. If a person has persistent erection problems, they should see a doctor because an underlying medical condition could be causing the problem. A proper diagnosis can aid in the treatment of any underlying medical issues as well as the resolution of sexual difficulties. Among the most common physical causes of ED are heart disease and blood vessel narrowing, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Psychological factors that range from treatable mental health illnesses to everyday emotional states that most people experience at some point can cause or contribute to ED. However, these are less common than physical causes. Fear of intimacy, depression, and general anxiety are all examples of psychological factors. A person may also be unable to achieve a full erection due to sexual performance anxiety, which is a common psychological factor in ED patients. According to one study, sexual performance anxiety affects 9-25% of males. Prostate cancer in its early stages does not cause ED, but advanced forms of prostate cancer can. ED can be caused by prostate surgery to remove tumors and radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer. The good news is that there are numerous treatments available for ED, and most people will find one that works for them. PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase-5) inhibitors are a class of drugs that can help people with ED. PDE-5 inhibitors are only available with a doctor's prescription. Before prescribing them, a doctor will check for heart conditions and inquire about any other medications the patient is taking.

Patients can choose from a variety of surgical treatment options, including penile implants. A doctor inserts a malleable or inflatable device into the penis during this procedure. If drug-based treatments have failed, this surgery may help a patient achieve and maintain erections. A patient may require vascular surgery to treat ED in extremely rare cases. Typically, a doctor will only recommend surgery after all other treatment options have been exhausted. There are exercises that can be done to help reduce the effects of ED. Exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles may be a beneficial treatment for people with ED, according to research.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when a man is unable to maintain a full erection on a regular basis. The condition is common, affecting approximately 20 million Americans. A person may develop ED due to physical factors such as high cholesterol levels or psychological factors such as sexual performance anxiety. A doctor may advise a variety of ED treatments, including prescription medication and, in rare cases, surgical intervention.                                                                       

ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND

References:

1. What's to know about erectile dysfunction?

Medically reviewed by Joseph Brito III, MD — By Markus MacGill — Updated on Jan 10, 2023

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/5702

2. Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence; ED)

By Irvin H. Hirsch, MD, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University