Sex Drive
Erectile Dysfunction
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the term now normally used to describe the condition known as Impotence. The word impotent suggests being weak or inadequate, which is how men may feel when they experience the condition. Use of the new term emphasises that it is a medical problem – not a personal failure.
In men, erectile dysfunction can be defined as being a persistent inability to get or keep an erection that is firm enough to attain sexual satisfaction. It should not be confused with the occasional incident when this occurs, which is an experience common to the vast majority of men for various reasons. These can include having had too much alcohol to drink, being overly-anxious about a new sexual partner, or being worried about current events in your life. The issue would only be classed as Erectile Dysfunction if it keeps happening again and again. Again, an erection once attained should be hard enough and last long enough to be satisfactory. Other conditions, like premature ejaculation, may interfere in this process but these are different problems, and would be treated differently.
Who does it affect?
Erectile dysfunction is a surprisingly common experience. It has been estimated that at least 1 in 10 men is affected to some extent yet, because of the embarrassment and even shame which has been attached to this condition, many men do not seek treatment. Growing older is a factor, with the number of those experiencing erectile dysfunction increasing with age, but it affects the entire range from the youngest to the oldest.
How do I find out what causes my erectile dysfunction?
It is important that all erectile dysfunction is reported to your doctor, as sometimes it can be an indicator of something physically wrong with you that has to be treated. Also, your doctor is in the best position to find the reason for your erectile dysfunction. Routine questions and tests will provide a guide to the cause and allow your doctor to decide what kind of treatment you might need to deal with it. This may involve referral to a specialist.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Erections result when a man is aroused in the lead up to sexual activity. With physical or mental stimulation leading to arousal, signals are sent out via the nervous system to release chemicals which enable an increased blood supply to flow into the penis.
The blood is not allowed to leave the penis very easily and this congestion, or engorgement, is what makes the penis hard enough to allow penetration. If any part of this process is interrupted then the inability to attain or maintain an erection can result.
Interference can develop from any of two main groups of causes - physical and psychological - but because these can interact with each other erectile dysfunction which originated from physical causes may be maintained by a combination of both.