Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction
Get the lowest price genuine sildenafil citrateDemystifying the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Looking at the statistics, it would appear that most males will at one time or another experience difficulty in having penile erection. It is estimated that as many 50% of men between 40 and 70 years old are affected by either inadequate erection or transient erectile dysfunction (ED). For some time, it was thought that ED or impotence is an inevitable result of the aging process. However, recent studies indicate that most of the causes of erectile dysfunction are those diseases which become common as a person advance in age.
Among these age-related causative factors is vascular disease or arteriosclerosis. This condition results in the narrowing and hardening of the arteries reducing the blood circulation throughout the body. This disease is related with aging and is responsible for from 50 to 60% of ED in males above 60 years of age. There are other physical causes of erectile dysfunction, however, which are not necessarily related to aging. These include neurological conditions and diabetes. Among diabetic male patients, some 60% also suffer from impotence.
The nature of all these diseases indicates the mechanism of action of the male erection process. Sexual stimulation received by the brain is sent as message impulses to the nerve endings at the penis. These messages cause the muscle tissues in the penis called corpus cavernosa to relax and allow more blood to flow in causing the arousal of the male sex organ. Any health condition, such as the abovementioned diseases, that interferes with any of the steps in the mechanics of action involved in penile erection will therefore result in an ED problem.
Some drugs, particularly those addressing heart-related conditions, are also causes of erectile dysfunction. These medications, estimated to number more than 200, include those prescribed for high blood pressures. Oft-prescribed sedatives, antidepressants and tranquilizers can likewise cause ED; so with smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Impotence can also result from an imbalance or insufficiency in the levels of the male hormone testosterone. This hormonal deficiency not only results in ED but also loss of sexual desire or libido. Underlying diseases such as kidney or liver disease could be behind the testosterone deficiency. Among the causes of erectile dysfunction, hormonal deficiency accounts for the least cases. Less common causes likewise include trauma or injury to the spinal cord or pelvic region which can damage the nerves and veins critical in the mechanics of action in an erection. ED risk is also often associated with surgical operation on the bladder, rectum, prostate, or colon which can damage blood vessels and nerves involved in penile erection.
Psychological factors such as anxiety, stress or depression can also cause impotence or combine with these physical causes of erectile dysfunction. Therefore, it is necessary to seek proper medical advice on impotence treatment. Most ED cases are now treatable, particularly those that are caused by poor blood circulation to the penis. Many prescription drugs, like sildenafil (Viagra), valdenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis), are now widely available to address penis erection difficulties.