Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence is a common problem. It’s estimated that around 1 in 10 men suffer from this problem in the UK. There was a time, before the arrival of Viagra, when men didn’t prefer to talk about their ED. There was a dramatic shift in their way of thinking with the advent of effective treatment options in the form of prescription pills, devices and exercises etc.

What is ED?

Also known as the Baby-D syndrome, it’s a sexual dysfunction that affects sexual performance. Erection is a result of the blood entering the spongy tissues in the penis and the subsequent retention of this blood. Sexual arousal acts as the perfect stimulant for this process. As a result of sexual stimulation, transmission of the signal takes place from the brain to the pelvic nerves. Due to the underlying causes, the process of erection is affected in many different ways. This means that despite arousal, erection becomes very difficult or near impossible. Such a condition is known as ED.

What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a type of sexual disorder wherein you experience an inability to get and/or maintain an erection. Men suffering from this condition are unable to achieve an erection that is hard enough to experience satisfying sexual intercourse. Even when sexually aroused these men face tremendous difficulty in achieving an erection. Another characteristic of this sexual dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection through the duration of the sexual activity.

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?

There are various causes that are at the root of impotence problems. These causes are either physical, psychological or are related to your lifestyle. You must work with your doctor to understand the possible causes that might have led to your erectile dysfunction.

Physical causes of impotence

• Various disorders like cardiovascular diseases, circulatory disorders, nervous disorders, diabetes, amongst other serious conditions can lead to ED

• The intake of certain medications, particularly diuretics or beta-blockers can cause impotence.

• Injury to the pelvic region or the spinal chord can also be the reason behind this condition

• A person suffering from penile abnormalities can experience ED as an associated side effect

Psychological causes of impotence

• Fear of sexual non-performance

• Stress

• Depression

• Relationship problems

• Fear of sex

• Fatigue

• Fear of intimacy

Lifestyle causes of impotence

• Addiction to smoking

• Heavy intake of alcohol

• Obesity

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Drug abuse

• Unhealthy diet

What are the treatment options for ED?

Today, there are a number of treatment options that can help treat your condition. The most common options for ED treatment are prescription pills like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. It’s estimated that these are the preferred medications in almost 85% of impotence causes. But these pills do not work without sexual stimulation. Devices like penis pumps are also in popular use for the treatment of ED. It’s important that you consult your doctor about your condition so that you are able to receive a correct treatment according to your needs and requirements. This way you can be sure that you can choose a treatment plan that is going to be effective.