Erectile dysfunction is one of the common sexual disorders in men. The condition is not only limited to older men and is affecting more young men than ever before. To understand the condition and why it happens, we will have to educate ourselves about the potential root causes of erectile dysfunction.
In this blog, we will get to the underlying reasons that may manifest as erectile dysfunction and take a glance over possible treatment strategies.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a sexual disorder where a man finds it difficult to get or/and sustain an erection during the act of physical intimacy. It is supposedly a common sight in aged men but is more commonly seen in younger men. We will soon learn about the significant ED hike in younger men in the coming section. It is bound to disrupt their personal lives when it happens to relatively younger men. People who cannot be physically intimate in their relationship tend to drift apart, which is the least that happens. It can also escalate to significant conflicts and may result in separation. The turmoil takes a massive emotional toll that affects every aspect of one’s life. Now, let’s find out what may cause men’s dysfunction.
Reasons behind Erectile dysfunction
The dysfunction may happen for various reasons, including physical, psychological, professional, and emotional factors. It is crucial to understand each one of these to have clarity about how every factor can impact sexual intimacy. We will talk about every type of causative factor below:
Physical Health Conditions
Physical well-being is the main point that would impact erectile function in men. Therefore, various health conditions may come in the way of sexual intimacy and may alter erections in men.
Diabetes – Increased blood sugar levels over a prolonged time can cause nerve damage and issues with blood supply. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels, reducing blood supply to organs, including the genital area.
It can also cause neuropathy, which interferes with nerve signals. This effect also creeps into the release of neurotransmitters and causes weaker erections.
Cardiovascular diseases – Heart issues are serious complications that may result in erectile dysfunction. Alternatively, if you notice weaker erections for a prolonged time, it may indicate an underlying heart disease.
Getting a cardiac workup triggered by weaker erections may help you avoid future cardiac arrest. Most cardiac issues result from atherosclerosis, which is fat deposition in blood vessels that impacts the blood flow to reproductive organs.
Hypertension – High blood pressure is another common health issue that may cause erectile difficulties. Increased pressure in blood vessels may damage the lining and further impact the blood flow to the body, including the penis. Therefore, it is essential to manage your blood pressure to have rigid erections.
Neurological disorders – Various neurological disorders like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis can impact nervous health. Any disruption in neural signals will affect the response to arousal and resultant erection. It is crucial to get medical help for neurological disorders to be able to attain proper erection.
Hormonal imbalance – Any hormonal imbalance can also impact erectile functioning in men. Primarily, when any health issue impacts testosterone levels, it will exhibit issues with sexual activity. It will also result in other sexual disorders like low libido or ejaculation issues.
Your sexologist may advise a hormonal assay to rule out the role of hormonal imbalance in causing flaccid erections.
Ageing is a common factor, yet we cannot avoid ageing under the broader umbrella of weaker erections. ED is a common sight as men age and cross their 50s. However, it may not be the ideal scenario for everyone, and there are possibilities to continue being sexually active. You must talk to your sexologist to know about viable treatment strategies for your situation.
High cholesterol—Increased cholesterol levels may predispose you to heart ailments. They can result in atherosclerosis, which is fat deposition in blood vessels. Plaque formation further decreases blood flow to the genitals and causes issues with getting an erection. It is essential to monitor your cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid heart problems.
Surgery or Trauma – Any injury or surgery of the pelvic region, including the prostate and spine, may result in erectile difficulties. It is vital to consult your healthcare provider and understand the implications along with possible ways to lead a better sex life yet again.
Medication – Certain medications, including antihypertensives, antifungals, or antidepressants, can cause ED as a side effect. It is essential to state detailed medical history to your sexologist to help them find the exact cause for your erectile issues. They will help you regulate the dose or change the drug, which can rectify the erectile dysfunction.
Psychological Factors
We may often neglect the role of mental health in sexual intimacy. However, the truth is far from our shared belief and in reality, mental well-being plays a crucial role in physical intimacy.
Stress – High-stress jobs may be one of the common reasons behind erectile issues in men nowadays. Being stressed due to work, relationship conflict, or any other major life event triggers the release of cortisol in the body. This stress hormone puts the body in flight or flight mode. Activation of this mode may impact the relaxation of smooth muscles and cause erectile difficulties in men. Teaching a few techniques that may help you cope with stress is crucial. You can try meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises to counter stress and promote mental well-being.
Depression – Being depressed may take away one’s interest in overall life. It is bound to impact physical intimacy as it may not interest someone anymore. Mostly, it is psychological, and if treated for depression, one automatically gets the drive and vigour back. Therefore, it is vital to get your treatment done by a reputed psychologist to lead a better sex life.
Performance anxiety – It refers to the persistent worry one feels about getting an erection or performing in bed. The anxiety may result from an experience of a failed erection or a general bad experience. Or even your anxiety may impact the overall quality of your sexual experience. It becomes a vicious cycle, making it hard to tell how one affects another. You should consult a sexologist to determine the root cause and get the required treatment.
Relationship conflicts – Sexual intimacy ultimately boils down to the quality of your relationship. If you have been having a lot of issues lately, It indeed will reflect on your sexual relationship with your partner.
Therefore, enrolling in couples therapy to sort out the issues is essential if you cannot do it alone. A counsellor will help you navigate the challenges and differences which will improve your sexual relationship.
Low self-esteem – Having low self-esteem can impact the quality of physical relationships. One may suffer from low self-esteem due to body image concerns, penis size issues, and other personal reasons. Being underconfident can reflect on sexual competence and might need to be addressed. You should consider getting therapy if that is the case.
Lifestyle Choices
We may not know, but our lifestyle significantly impacts sexual relationships. Various lifestyle choices may make a difference in the quality of physical intimacy.
Diet—A healthy diet ensures maintaining a healthy body. However, our fast-paced lifestyle has made us choose a diet rich in fats and sugars, significantly impacting our overall health. Such a diet increases the risk of various health conditions, including diabetes, heart issues, etc., which negatively impact sexual functions. Adopting a healthy lifestyle with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole foods, lean meat, and eggs is essential to promote physical well-being.
Exercise—We all know that physical activity helps us stay fitter. However, most of us do not realize the role of exercise in being sexually active. Regular physical activity keeps heart health, stress, and weight under control. Exercise also releases happy hormones that help lift one’s mood.
An interesting study found that a brisk walk for 40 minutes a day can improve erectile dysfunction in men. So, why wait? Tie your laces and attain sexual health goals.
Alcohol consumption – While moderate alcohol consumption generally does not cause massive damage, excessive alcohol may cause some severe damage. A chronic alcoholic may impair nerve signals that may affect sexual functioning in the long run. Moreover, alcohol in itself is a nervous depressant and might cause failed erections. So, contrary to popular belief, alcohol does not help in sexual intimacy and rather impacts the quality of erection.
Smoking – Smoking is bad for health, and still, people continue to smoke. Along with its various detrimental effects, it may also negatively influence erection in men. Nicotine present in cigarettes is a known vasoconstrictor that diminishes the blood flow to the penis. Smoking is a known risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Quitting smoking will not only help in maintaining your overall health but also grant you a satisfying sex life.
Bottom Line
Erectile dysfunction remains a prevalent sexual disorder and might have several factors involved. It usually happens due to multiple factors acting up in the body. Understanding the possible root cause may help you identify the issue early on. Early diagnosis and medical intervention will help you successfully overcome the challenges and get back your desired sex life.
Consult sexologist today if you have erectile difficulty and regain your confidence again.