ED or Erectile Dysfunction  

ED or Erectile Dysfunction is a condition in which men cannot hold or keep a penile erection. This prevents them from having or finishing sex properly. It is also known as being impotent 

As a person ages, they might need help with getting an erection. However, this doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be able to enjoy the process. Men of all ages should be able to have an erection and enjoy sex. 

Even though ED is a common problem for men over the age of 40, you should get it checked with your GP if it happens too often or if you have any pain or discomfort during, before, or after the process. Sometimes it can be a sign of other health conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes.

Early Signs Of ED

The main early sign of erectile dysfunction is not having an erection during the act of sex, no matter how much you are stimulated. 

Some other apparent signs include pain and discomfort in the process of stimulation or intercourse. 

ED Prognosis: How Is ED Diagnosed?

ED can happen due to various reasons. Some of the most common ones include:

• Diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar).
• High blood pressure (Hypertension).
• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
• Anxiety, stress, sadness, or depression
• Some prescribed drugs. This includes antidepressants, pain relievers, and blood pressure medications.
• Excessive tobacco and alcohol usage
• Fatigue.
• Injuries to the brain or spinal cord.
• Hypogonadism (abnormally low levels of the male hormone, testosterone).
• Radiation treatment for the testicles.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Parkinson’s disease (PD).
• If you have a stroke.
• Prostate or bladder surgery of any kind.

If ED occurs frequently, then it’s probably due to physical health or mental/emotional issues. 

Even specific feelings can lead to erectile dysfunction, including:

• Feeling nervous about having intercourse. This could be because of a bad experience or a previous episode of Erectile Dysfunction.
• Having excessive stress, including workplace and family or relationship-related stress.
• Having depressive feelings or thoughts.
• Being self-conscious about yourself or your performance, having a poor self-image.
• If your partner reacts or thinks negatively about you, is unsatisfied, etc.… 

ED can be easily diagnosed, and doctors can usually find the cause after asking a series of questions, checking your genital area for any obvious physical reasons, conducting checks along with a blood test or a urine test. They may also take other tests (such as ultrasound etc.) to rule out other abnormalities or symptoms. 

Can ED Be Avoided?

6 ways to Prevent yourself from getting ED

ED can be avoided, but this depends on whether you know what’s causing it or not. If you know what’s causing your ED, for example, alcohol, then simply not drinking alcohol will solve your issue. 

On the other hand, if you don’t know what’s causing your ED, then it’s better to avoid any unhealthy habits and follow any or all these rules:

1. Try not to drink alcohol or try not to smoke too much and avoid abusing drugs.
2. Your ED could be a side-effect of some recent medication, ask your doctor if this could be a possible side-effect of the prescribed medication, and ask if you can use a substituted medication.
3. Lose weight if you are overweight or gain weight if you are underweight.
4. Keep your blood pressure and blood sugar levels balanced, or if you have diabetes, consult a doctor regarding your health concerns or ED.
5. Avoid being stressed out by external situations and try to relax more by trying out new habits like yoga and meditation.
6. Maintain a healthy balanced diet

Visit a sexual health centre or a General Practitioner if there is no improvement after following these methods, as it could be an underlying sign of diabetes.

Treatments For Erectile Dysfunction:

ED treatment depends on what’s causing it, which differs as per the conditions mentioned above. For example, if you have blood pressure or sugar problems, then treating or managing them will help with your ED. 

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ED medication should be taken according to the doctor’s prescription. Having too much medication or overdosing can lead to other health conditions. Hence, it is always advised to never self-medicate. It is recommended to not take more than one dose of any of the preceding mentioned medicines within 24 hours. There is still a requirement for physical and mental stimulation even after taking such medication. If nothing works, it is advised to speak to your doctor to get a stronger medication or get a check-up to find out if there are other issues.

Always check with your healthcare professional if you are taking other medication. Some medication such as nitrates are not suitable to take with this medication. Always consult with a specialist or a doctor before consuming any type of medication.

Do Other Alternatives Work For ED?

There maybe other options such as penile injections or vacuum pumps to manage ED. Its important to discuss all options with your GP

Erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of a medical or psychological problem. It can lead to stress, relational difficulty, and low self-esteem. The major symptom is a man’s inability to obtain or maintain an adequate hard erection for sexual intercourse, leading to self-image issues and low self-esteem.

Learn More At NHS Website. 

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