Erectile dysfunction is quite a common problem regardless of the man's age. Different studies indicate that nearly ¾ of all men experience periods of sexual problems at different points in their lives. And it's quite likely that the problem is more common, since not all men agree to report it officially.

Most times the word "impotence" is used to substitute the term "erectile dysfunction", however these words refer to different problems. Erectile dysfunction has a strict definition: inability to obtain and sustain erections suitable for penetrative sex in more than 25% of all attempts during a specified period. The problem is often associated with aging, still it was confirmed that it is preventable and treatable.

Erectile dysfunction causes

Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is quite a common caused for ED. Other serious factors include:

• Blood vessel issues

• Diabetes

• Medication side effects

• Excessive physical activity of different types (exercising, biking, etc.)

Numerous studies have confirmed that the risk of erectile dysfunction is higher in men with high blood pressure problems. For instance, only 30% of men can experience erectile problems within a month, while the number rises to 70% in men suffering from high blood pressure. Almost a half of men with hypertension have serious cases of erectile dysfunction, while in men with normal blood pressure this group accounts only 5%.

A look on the matter from the other angle is even more fascinating. For instance, 40% of men suffering from hypertension are known to have ED, while up 80% of men who report having ED problems are diagnosed with high blood pressure issues. Some doctor advocate the strong relation between these two conditions to an extent that sex-related questions to be used when diagnosing for high blood pressure.

How does it work?

The mechanism of how hypertension affects erectile functions is still unknown, but there are several theories on that. One of the most popular theories states that excessive pressure on the blood vessels leads to damage on small arteries and veils in the penis, causing reduced blood flow that results in weak erection. Another theory states that when the small blood vessels in the penis are damaged, they are ultimately restored but become thicker and less responsive to arousal, which also leads to weaker erections.

How to get rid of it?

In all cases of Ed, the first step to treating the problem is identifying the actual cause behind it. Those who have blood pressure problems are usually diagnosed with it already, and that is the exact cause of erectile problems. That is why the main focus will be on minimizing the symptoms of high blood pressure, which will ultimately lead to improvement if sexual functions.

Such popular erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra and Levitra are quite common in patients suffering from high blood pressure and ED. However, you shouldn't buy Viagra or any other PDE-5 inhibitors if you have chest pain and are using nitrate-based drugs. You should therefore inform your doctor about any prescription and non-prescription drugs that you are taking in order to avoid drug interactions with certain ED medications.