In the United States, erectile dysfunction affects around 26 million men, according to the American Urological Association. Men who are over the age of 40 are more likely to suffer from ED, the commonly used abbreviation for the disorder, than younger men. However, ED can strike any man. Thankfully, treatments are now available to help men combat this disorder.
Understanding Erections
The first step of understanding erectile dysfunction is appreciating the complexities of achieving and sustaining an orgasm. Within the penis are two chambers – one runs along each side of the penis – known as the corpora cavernosa. Tissue containing smooth muscle is found within these chambers, along with veins and arteries. Outside the chambers, you’ll find a membrane known as tunica albuginea. These chambers and the membrane are critical parts to the erection process.
Sexual stimulation causes your body to release enzymes, particularly cGMP, which cause the smooth muscles in those chambers to relax. That relaxation permits blood to flow more freely into the penis and this causes the penis to expand. Once the penis is filled with blood, the membrane moves to keep the blood inside the penis so it doesn’t flow back out. After orgasm, the penis contracts and the membrane moves to permit the blood to flow back out. This part of the process is assisted by an enzyme known as PDE-5 which reduces the levels of cGMP in the body.
Causes for ED
At any step in this process, problems can occur that lead to erectile dysfunction. If nerve damage occurs because of diabetes or other chronic health conditions, signals of sexual stimulation may not effectively reach the man’s brain and the enzymes may not be properly released making an erection nearly impossible. Men who smoke may also face problems because their levels of testosterone are reduced which also makes erections more difficult to obtain. If the membrane fails to prevent the blood from exiting, the erection might be achieved but may soon be lost.
Surgery or injury may also cause damage to the penis and its inner workings which can make achieving an erection more difficult.
Increased Risk for ED
Erectile dysfunction is not an uncommon condition. Men who are age 40 to 60 are the ones most likely to develop ED. Chronic health problems and lifestyle choices are some of the main culprits for increasing men’s risk. More than 30% of the men who have diabetes, for example, are going to develop this problem. Not all cases of erectile dysfunction are chronic. Some men have occasional problems achieving or sustaining an erection.
Research into the causes of ED has linked physical and health problems to roughly 80 to 90% of all cases. The remaining amount of cases is usually attributed to psychological issues, such as low self confidence and fear.
