Erectile Dysfunction


erectile_dysfunction

“If you're happy, if you're feeling good, then nothing else matters.”
Robin Wright




Most men may not openly talk about their erection problems, but erectile dysfunction - when a man cannot achieve or maintain an erection well enough or long enough to have satisfying sex - is very common. The occasional inability to get an erection is considered normal. According to the National Institutes of Health, 5 percent of 40-year-olds and 15 to 25 percent of 65-years old have ED. But while ED is more likely to occur as a man gets older, it doesn’t come automatically with age.

“Although having sex at 70 is not the same as having sex at 20, erectile dysfunction is not a normal part of aging,” according to Michael Feloney, MD, urologic surgeon and expert on sexual dysfunction issues at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. “You should still be able to have a satisfying sex life as you age."

Erectile dysfunction can be embarrassing and difficult to talk about for some men. Many men may feel like they need to hide their diagnosis from their partner. "Failure to communicate openly about erectile dysfunction can result in both partners drawing away from the relationship," warns Feloney. Remember that your partner is also affected by your problem; being open and honest is the best way to decrease fear and anxiety. Discuss options for achieving sexual satisfaction together, and be positive - most erectile dysfunction problems can be treated.

Relationship problems often complicate erectile dysfunction. Improving your relationship may be part of the solution. It may be a good idea to get counseling together from a sex therapist, marriage counselor, or a medical specialist.

Failure to achieve an erection is not uncommon for most men and may be considered normal even if it happens as often as 20 percent of the time. There is a wide range of normal when it comes to sexual functioning and sexual relationships. "Generally if a couple feels comfortable with their sex life and they enjoy intimacy together, erectile dysfunction may not be much of an issue. But if erectile dysfunction is causing stress in a relationship, then help is available," says Feloney.

ED can result in an unsatisfactory sex life and cause other problems, including:


  • Low self-esteem

  • Embarrassment

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Relationship problems

The condition is also one of the causes of male infertility, if a man is unable to impregnate his partner. Erectile dysfunction is often a symptom of underlying medical problems, such as:


  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Diabetes

  • Obesity

  • Neurological diseases

  • Alcoholism or drug abuse

  • Hypogonadism or low testosterone

  • Smoking history

In this program you’ll learn about:


  • Symptoms and Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

  • Risk Factors for ED

  • Anatomy of the Erect Penis

  • Why Erectile Dysfunction Happens