Erectile dysfunction is an extremely common condition, and over half of all men will have an issue with sexual arousal at some point.
According to the NHS, it is particularly common in men over 40 and if it happens once in a while is nothing to worry about and nothing to be ashamed of.
Whilst major steps have been taken in changing the conversation about ED, too many men suffer in silence, especially since in many cases the condition is very easily treatable.
PDE5 inhibitors are the main treatment path for the physical effects of ED, and ordering sildenafil online is a safe, discreet method of treating the condition.
However, ED has many different causes, from rare physical disorders such as Peyronie’s disease to depression and anxiety. ED is as much a symptom as a condition in itself, and getting to the underlying cause is often the primary way of treating the condition.
Here are the most common causes of ED and how you can help manage them.
Vasculogenic Causes
The most common physical reasons for ED involve blood flow to the penis, and what makes PDE5 inhibitors so effective is their ability to reduce vascular constriction, improve blood flow in general and also improves the ability to maintain an erection.
Conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease are commonly associated with the narrowing of blood vessels and so if a GP finds this to be the cause, they may prescribe medicine to lower blood pressure or statins to lower cholesterol.
Hormonal Conditions
Hormones can have a major effect on many of our body’s functions, and sexual arousal is no exception.
Men who have low levels of testosterone have a chance of experiencing ED, and this can be caused by conditions such as type-2 diabetes and hypogonadism.
This can be treated through testosterone replacement therapy, but any treatment must be undertaken under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Physical Effects
In some cases, there is a purely physical aspect that reduces a man’s ability to get an erection, which can include injuries, physical conditions and lifestyle factors.
Cycling is an unexpectedly common risk factor in temporary erectile dysfunction, generally caused by using an unsuitable seat and cycling for long periods of time, which can compress blood vessels in the penis and damage nerves.
As well as this, Peyronie’s disease, a tissue disorder that can give the penis a distinct bend, can also cause difficulties getting an erection.
Medical Side Effects
Certain medicines can cause ED as a side effect, such as diuretics, antidepressants, beta-blockers, fibrates, antihistamines, anticonvulsants and some forms of steroids.
If you are worried that a medication you have been prescribed may be causing erectile dysfunction, speak to your GP before you make any changes to the medicine you take, and never stop taking a course of medicine unless advised to do so by a doctor responsible for your care.
Psychological Conditions
In some cases, ED is as much psychological as it is physical, and both psychological and physical causes can work to exacerbate each other.
Anxiety and depression are major causes of ED, and at the same anxious and depressed feelings can be caused by ED as well. Treating these psychological causes, and the root issues behind them are vital to helping manage ED. In some cases, this can involve the use of treatments such as PDE5 inhibitors to tackle the physical cause of ED and remove the anxiety and intrusive thoughts that could be causing the condition to worsen.
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