Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition most men hope they never have to experience, yet it affects up to 30 million men today.
ED is a condition in which men are unable to obtain or sustain an erection that is hard enough for sexual intercourse. Most men find themselves struggling with erections from time to time, and that is normal. If you struggle to have an erection more than 50% of the time, however, that could be considered ED and you should speak with a urologist.
What is an Erection?
When a man is not sexually aroused his penis is soft and limp. When a man becomes aroused, nerve messages are activated to release chemicals that then send more blood into the penis. This blood fills into two erection chambers of the penis making it firm, this is what we call an erection. Once a man has an orgasm the blood leaves the penis and the erection goes away.
The number one symptom of ED is having trouble having or keeping an erection hard enough for sexual intercourse. If this is something you struggle with at least 50% of the time, you could have ED.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
There are many causes of ED. Oftentimes ED acts as a warning sign to more serious complications going on in your body. This is why it is extremely important to visit a doctor in Urology in Dayton, Ohio if you are noticing the symptoms of ED.
While the chances of experiencing ED grow as you age. Getting older isn’t a cause of ED in and of itself. The following conditions could be the cause of your ED.
- High blood sugar (diabetes)
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Cardiovascular disease
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
These conditions cause ED because they could limit blood to flow into the penis. They could also make it so the penis can’t store blood during an erection or interrupt nerve signals to start an erection upon arousal.
In addition to these physical causes of ED there are a number of mental and emotional causes of ED. Sex is an experience where your mind and body need to work together. For this reason, the following emotional issues could be causing ED:
- Depression
- Relationship conflicts
- Stress at home or work
- Worry about sexual performance
Seeing a Urologist For Erectile Dysfunction
We know the stress, worry, and embarrassment dealing with ED can put on a man. Symptoms of ED should never be ignored as it often is your body’s way of telling you there could be something bigger going on. Whether its physical or emotional causes, a urologist will be able to help you get to the root of the problem and ultimately get you back to the healthy sex life you desire.