Terrence Kennedy
Erectile dysfunction is far more of a common problem than one would assume.
An estimated 20 million men in the US will suffer from it at some point in their lives; some briefly, while others may have to put up with it (no pun intended) for an extended time. With such a high number of sufferers, it is no surprise that extensive research has gone into finding out what the causes of erectile dysfunction are, the effects it can have on the lives of its sufferers, and what can be done to treat it.
If you have been affected by Mother Nature’s bad joke, then you’re likely looking for as much information on this affliction as you can, and so to assist you, here are some of the most common and indeed not-talked-about causes of erectile dysfunction; many of which can be remedied naturally, or with the help of a doctor.
So, what are the causes of erectile dysfunction?
There are a number of roots to this problem, some of them biological, some of them are psychological, while many of them come from the unavoidable process of aging.
"An estimated 20 million men in the US will suffer from it at some point in their lives..."
But don’t let that scare you. With the right amount of attention, erectile dysfunction can be avoided, and can almost always be treated.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction: The Unspoken Truths about ED
What are the physiological causes of ED?
There are a great number of biological reasons why you or someone you know might be suffering from erectile dysfunction.
Many of them are avoidable, while sadly some of them are not.
ED for Men in their 40’s
Age plays an important role in the onset of this affliction, so let's start there:
As men get older, their testosterone levels take quite the dive, effectively hampering your sex drive and in severe cases can even lead to ED. When men enter their 40’s, or the area known as the dreaded midlife crisis, their bodies undergo a number of changes like those mentioned above. However, the lifelong stack of stress of family and work life, conflicts, money worries and medical conditions start to show signs of cracking at this age.
This is because when you are stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol which increases sugar in the bloodstream. Unfortunately, as this hormone builds up, it tends to hamper your body’s ability to produce testosterone, a hormone closely related to sexual activity.
Men in their 20’s
Unfortunately for a lot of men, erectile dysfunction doesn't only come with aging.
There are many young men out there who are barely out of their 20’s who suffer from it as well. But if aging isn't causing the problem in these cases, then what is? Those who are suffering from E-D in their earlier years should look towards their personal health to find reasons why this is the case.
Clogged arteries, high blood pressure. Often, erectile dysfunction is caused by a lack of blood flow to the penis, which is why andy afflictions that affect the blood could result in erectile dysfunction.
Afflictions like heart disease and diabetes are common reasons for young men suffering this unfortunate disorder; but for those who keep their afflictions under control and take careful steps to keep their blood pressure low, erectile dysfunction need not be a problem.
Other reasons for the onset of erectile dysfunction include:
- ​Surgical procedures or injuries to the pelvic or spinal regions.
- Sleep disorders.
- Obesity
- Parkinson’s disease.
- High cholesterol
- Alcoholism and substance abuse
- Smoking (specifically tobacco)
- Certain treatments for prostate cancer
What are the Psychological Causes of ED?
Of course, not all cases of erectile dysfunction can be tied to physiological regions.
Everybody has heard the saying, ‘mind over matter’, and when it comes to ED, your mental state can have as much to do with things as your physical health.
​They say that the brain is the most important organ when it comes to sex, and you would be surprised just how true this is.
It is the brain that triggers the physical events that lead to an erection, starting with sexual desire, and moving right on to instructing blood to move towards the penis. So when your mental state is not as it should be, the results can be… underwhelming:
* Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are a common cause for erectile dysfunction, or more specifically, sexual apathy.
When faced with these, you might find that the inability to pitch a tent is the least of your concerns, especially when it is enough of a struggle to get out of bed in the morning. Unfortunately, many of the medications used to treat these disorders, also add to the onset of D-E; but that is no reason not to seek treatment.
* Stress, as I have mentioned above is a serious mood killer, but also has biological effects on your sex drive and ability to stand at attention. Stress releases cortisol which effectively lowers your testosterone, making many areas of sex nearly impossible.
So meditate, lie around and relax. You know your body needs it.
* Relationship problems are also a cause, albeit a nasty one. No one wants to be told that they are the reason why their partner can’t get it up, but it does actually happen. Poor communication, distrust, and many other relationship concerns will put up a mental block which will hamper your ability to get an erection.
* Traumatic events from the past, especially those of a sexual nature (yes men have them too) are also a major reason why you might be putting up unknown mental blocks which keep you far away from sex, including your biological responses to it, you know… such as an erection.​
How can ED be treated?
There are a number of ways to treat erectile dysfunction and they will differ depending on the severity and causes of the affliction. Often, it can only be reversed or bettered by clinical means, while a lot of the time a simple change in your lifestyle could do the trick. However, if you are suffering from E-D, it is best to consult your doctor for the best treatment options.
Clinical Treatments
Self injections:
Most people aren't too mad about getting jabbed with needles, but in the case of erectile dysfunction, there are a number of medications which are (harrowingly enough) injected directly into the penis.
These remedies are meant to stimulate blood-flow to the penis, hopefully reversing the effects of erectile dysfunction.
M.U.S.E:
Don’t let the name fool you, there is nothing inspiring about Medicated Urethral Systems for Erections, but they are known to help. M.U.S.E or Alprostadil urethral suppositories are typically placed into the opening at the tip of the penis. If this sounds too unpleasant for you, consider that it has an 80% success rate.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy:
When erectile dysfunction comes as the result of low levels of testosterone, replacement therapies in the form of weekly 100mg testosterone injections could solve a lot more than ED.
Natural remedies:
In many cases, going the medical rout might not always be necessary, sometimes E-D can be relieved with lifestyle changes, better sleep, a good diet and the assistance of herbs and nutrients which stimulate blood-flow and raise testosterone naturally.
Keep an eye out for tongkat ali, schisandra, tribulus terrestris, ginseng and epimedium, all of which are herbs commonly found in testosterone supplements.