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Erectile dysfunction is
problem of getting or keeping an erection that’s firm
enough for sexual intercourse. This may be transient or
mild in some cases, whereas in others it may be
consistent and severe leading to low self-esteem,
performance anxiety, depression, stress and may affect
the quality of a marriage or intimate relationship.
Though erectile dysfunction
becomes more common as men age, many men enjoy sexual
activity well into their senior years. Sexual function
decreases with age due to changes in testosterone
levels, alteration of tissue characteristics of organs
involved in the process. Elderly men are more likely to
suffer from other debilitating diseases as hypertension,
diabetes, coronary artery disease etc. that may cause
erectile dysfunction.
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It is also important to
recognize that as previously believed, erectile
dysfunction is not only in mind ‘psychological’,
moreover more than two thirds of the cases have some
organic cause for the same. Most cases of erectile
dysfunction can be treated and every case should be
evaluated. Erectile
dysfunction can also co-exist with other sexual problems
like, loss of libido i.e. little or no interest in sex,
or ejaculatory dysfunction which can include premature
ejaculation (reaching orgasm too soon) or delayed
ejaculation (taking an extremely long time to reach an
orgasm). It is thus important to identify and
simultaneously address all such problems. |
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Physiology of
Erection Penis
remains flaccid or limp when a man is not
sexually aroused. Sexual arousal causes nerves
to release chemicals that increase blood flow
into the penis. The “smooth muscles of the
spongy penile chambers (corpora cavernosa) relax
and allow the blood to enter and remain in the
penis. The pressure of the blood in the corpora
cavernosa makes the penis firm, producing an
erection. Following orgasm, the blood flows out
again and the erection subsides.
Causes of Erectile
dysfunction
There are many possible causes of Erectile
dysfunction, which
include physical, psychological, medicinal or a
combination of factors...
Physical Causes
These may causes dysfunction in-
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Blood Flow to the penis- includes conditions
like atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus,
hypertension, cigarette smoking,
hyperlipidemia etc.
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Defect in nervous transmission causing
erection- includes conditions like
parkinsonism, spinal cord diseases, pelvic
surgeries, diabetic neuropathy etc.
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Defect in storage of blood- includes
conditions like Peyronies disease, trauma
etc.
Psychological causes-
These are the most common causes of Erectile
dysfunction at
younger ages. Erection requires a normal
coordinated functioning of both body and mind.
Consequently, many emotional or relationship
problems can cause Erectile dysfunction. These include-
depression, marital conflicts, stress, and
performance anxiety.
Medicinal causes-
The list of drugs causing Erectile dysfunction is long and
exhaustive. The most common culprits are certain
anti-hypertensive, antidepressants, alcohol and
drug abuse. |
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Getting Medical Help
Until relative recently,
Erectile dysfunction
was thought to be a personal failure or as a part of
aging. Patients with Erectile dysfunction felt embarrassed to discuss the
problem with their physicians, thought there was no good
solution for the same and suffered in silence. Thanks to
the media attention, things have changed dramatically
and have made it easier for the patients to take first
step in resolving their problems i.e. discussing it with
their partners and doctor. |
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