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Last Updated: Feb 27, 2024
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Knowing Erectile Dysfunction PART 1: Don't Get Carried Away by Misconceptions

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Dr. Yuvraj Arora MongaSexologist • 26 Years Exp.MBBS, MD - Pharmacology
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Knowing Erectile Dysfunction. Part 1: Don't Get Carried Away By Misconceptions

What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

A person having erectile dysfunction (ED) is not able to achieve and/or maintain an erection of the penis sufficient for sexual activity. So, penis do not get hard at all or not enough for doing sex. 

ED is responsible for great deal of stress and anxiety as well as low self-confidence in men. Mostly its occasional, when you cannot get an erection and it is only temporary. Normally after emotional or physical stimulation there is an increased filling of blood in sponge like tissue of penis and decreased blood flow out of penis, so blood remain trapped in penis and it becomes hard and erect.

Your ability to have erection is dependent of multiple factors like our emotions, hormones, nerves, blood vessels and cells of penis itself. A problem with any of these elements can cause ed. It can occur at any age, but becomes more common with increasing age. In the older adult male, it is a major problem affecting more than 75% of men.

Common Causes of ED

Physical causes indicate you have problems with penile structure itself or any bodily disease affecting it. Diseases include less blood flow to the penis or injury of the nerves going to the penis (for example, multiple sclerosis, a stroke, parkinson's disease, spinal injury etc.).

Lifestyle disorders like high blood pressure (bp), obesity (high body weight than normal for our height and age), diabetes (high blood sugar).

Also lack of male sexual hormone called testosterone, alcohol and drug abuse, clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis) and side effects of some medications causes ed. Sometimes psychological issues like anxiety, stress due to work or home environment, depression, relationship difficulties leads to ed.

Myths Associated with ED

Myth 1: ED is part and parcel of your body's aging process

Contrary to popular belief, ED is not a normal part of the aging process. If you're having difficulty in getting an erection, the underlying cause can be medical in nature such as undiagnosed or diagnosed cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.

Myth 2: ED can't be reversed

Through the right treatment and certain lifestyle changes, most of the cases of ED can be reversed to almost normal. It is said that sexual health and erectile performance can be enhanced when you improve the health of your heart. Exercising to bring about weight loss and quitting smoking are ways that experts advocate for improving the health of your heart.

Myth 3: You are the only person to suffer from this problem

The common belief that ed affects only a few men is not true. Scientific studies show that ed strikes about 5% of men aged 40 years and between 15-25% of men aged 65 years.

Myth 4: It's completely in your head

This isn't true at all. The source of the problem could be certain parts of your body. In most cases, the cause is usually certain physiological problems such as heart disease, clogged arteries, high cholesterol, and parkinson's diseases etc

Myth 5: Only drugs and surgery can help you remove the problem

ED can be treated using a number of treatment options. Apart from pills and surgery, simple lifestyle changes can help to provide respite from the problem. Decreasing the consumption of alcohol, losing weight and even quitting smoking can improve your sexual health. Moreover, since the problem can also be due to an underlying medical condition such as high blood pressure; treating the underlying cause can help in easing your erection problems.

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