| Erectile dysfunction, differently called male impotence, is the recurrent inability to get or sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. The term "impotence" may also refer to other problems that interfere with intimate life and reproduction, for instance lack of sexual drive and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other disorders are not involved.
Some men experience chronic ED, and others have erection problems from time to time. Regular erectile dysfunction can cause emotional and relationship problems, and often results in diminished self-esteem and confidence. It makes defining ED and estimating its incidence hard. Depending on the definition used, from 15 to 30 mln are estimated to have ED.
The majority of male sexualdisorders are triggered by physical factors, for example blood vessel, nerve and abnormalities in the genital area.
In older males, erectile dysfunction normally has a physical cause, for instance diseases, injuries, or side effects of drugs. Any disorder that causes an injury to penile nerves and blood vessels can bring on ED. Incidence raises with age: about 5% of 40-year-olds and 15-25% of 65-year-old males suffer from ED. Yet, it is not an unavoidable feature of aging.
Being unable to perform in bed adversely impacts on man's self-esteem and confidence. Besides, it also severely damages his relationship with a sexual partner.
Accoring to the survey, for every 1, 000 men in the United States, 7.7 appointments with a general practitioner were made for ED in 1985. By 1999, that rate had almost tripled. The increase happened gradually, probably since treatments, such as vacuum and drug therapies became more easily available.
In general, ED is treatable regardless of age, and awareness of the fact has been raising. Nowadays more men look for medical care and return to normal sex life due to improved, potent therapies for erectile dysfunction. Depending on the severity and causes of the erection problem, there are oral, mechanical, injection and surgery therapies.
One way to better erectile dysfunction is to make some simple lifestyle changes. For some males, selecting a healthier lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, exercising regularly, and reducing strain, may be all that is required to find relief. For those who need more intensive treatment, life-style alterations along with other therapies can further help. |
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