If you find yourself having trouble getting or keeping an erection, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 30 million men in the united states have erectile dysfunction (ed). Although you may be quick to write off ed as the result of age or relationship issues, there may be another root cause. “a lot of men view changes in their sexual performance as normal when in fact, erectile dysfunction can have a variety of causes that could be attributable to underlying health conditions,” says urologist keith o’brien, md, with tallwood men’s health in fairfield.

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. The massachusetts male aging study surveyed 1,709 men aged 40–70 years between 1987 and 1989 and found there was a total prevalence of erectile dysfunction of 52 percent. It was estimated that, in 1995, over 152 million men worldwide experienced ed. For 2025, the prevalence of ed is predicted to be approximately 322 million worldwide. In the past, erectile dysfunction was commonly believed to be caused by psychological problems. It is now known that, for most men, erectile dysfunction is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis .

Erectile dysfunction (ed) is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Ed can be a total inability to achieve an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Ed is a very common problem in older men. It affects about 30 million men in the us. Based on a large population study, some degree of ed was noted in 48% of men in their 50’s, 57% of men in their 60’s and 67% of men in their 70’s.

Erectile dysfunction (ed) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Estimates suggest that one of every 10 men will suffer from ed at some point during his lifetime. It is important to understand that in most cases, ed is a symptom of another, underlying problem. Ed is not considered normal at any age, and may be associated with other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse, such as lack of desire and problems with orgasm and ejaculation.

2. Cardiovascular Diseases Can Cause ED

As mentioned above, erectile dysfunction is often a marker that heart disease or other cardiovascular diseases may soon develop. Therefore, you should review your lifestyle to see if any changes can be made to minimise the risk of developing these problems. Also, your doctor may prescribe a statin medicine to lower your blood cholesterol level if your risk of developing cardiovascular disease is high.

Causes of or contributors to ed include the following: diets high in saturated fat are linked to heart diseases , and men with heart diseases are more likely to experience ed. By contrast, plant-based diets show a lower risk for ed. Surgery (e. G. , radical prostatectomy ) ageing : after age 40 years, ageing itself is a risk factor for ed, although numerous other pathologies that may occur with ageing, such as testosterone deficiency , cardiovascular diseases , or diabetes , among others, appear to have interacting effects kidney disease : ed and chronic kidney disease have pathological mechanisms in common, including vascular and hormonal dysfunction, and may share other comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus that can contribute to ed.

A wide range of diseases, medications, injuries, and psychological problems can cause erectile dysfunction. Here are some of the most common causes: circulatory problems: an erection occurs when the penis fills with blood and a valve at the base of the penis traps it. Diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, clots, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) can all interfere with this process. Such circulatory problems are the number one cause of erectile dysfunction. Frequently, erectile dysfunction is the first noticeable symptom of cardiovascular disease. Peyronie's disease: this disease causes fibres and plaques to appear in the genitals, interrupting blood flow.

Additional Diseases and Factors that Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, or ed, is difficulty or inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Ed is a relatively common problem, affecting up to 30 million men of all ages in the united states and more than 150 million worldwide. The ability to have an erection requires complex coordination among nerves, blood vessels, muscles and the brain. A variety of factors – frequently in combination – can cause ed. These factors include neurological, hormonal and vascular disorders, as well as the natural aging process and certain chronic diseases. Ed is also a common side effect of treatments for prostate cancer.

Ed and cvd share similar risk factors, including older age, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, and diabetes. Ed is associated with an increased risk of cvd, coronary artery disease (cad), stroke, and all-cause mortality, and it is probably an independent risk factor for cvd. 35 ed typically occurs two to five years before cad, providing a potential window during which men diagnosed with ed can make lifestyle changes to prevent cad. 36 men with ed are at higher risk of angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias compared with men who do not have ed.

A variety of factors can cause or contribute to erectile dysfunction, including your physical health(your p enis health , cardiovascular health, etc) and wellbeing ( getting sick can be a reason for ed), your mental health, certain lifestyle choices, and even your use of certain medications or substances. Because male sexual arousal is a fairly complex process, it can sometimes be difficult to identify a specific cause. Sexual arousal starts in your brain, but it also involves your nervous system, muscles and blood vessels. It can even be impacted by factors such as your emotions and your production of some sex-related hormones.

Erectile dysfunction may have a significant impact on both patients and their relationships. It therefore is important to seek appropriate help and support, both from gps and from other organisations, such as relate. It is known that certain lifestyle factors can increase the likelihood of erectile dysfunction, and therefore patients may be advised to reduce their alcohol intake and stop smoking. Regular exercise may also help symptoms, as it may improve physical health, in addition to reducing any symptoms of anxiety or stress that may be contributing to the condition. However, cycling for more than 3 hours a week has been shown to increase the likelihood of erectile dysfunction, and so if patients cycle more than this, they should be advised to seek alternative means of exercise.