What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction can be defined as the constant or repeated failure to achieve and/or keep an erection necessary for sexual pleasure. It is the most commonly reported sexual disorder in men, affecting about 30 million men.
Erectile dysfunction causes anxiety and can have negative impact on a man’s self-esteem, aggravate relationship issues and can lead to substance use which ultimately impair his well-being and that of his significant others. It has many multiple causes and is typically curable. Although left unaddressed, it may cause the afflicted and their spouse to experience intense psychological distress.
Having occasional erection problems should not be seen as erectile dysfunction but if it persists, then you need to look for medical advice and proper diagnosis.
Regardless of age, a man’s ability to get an erection is crucial to his overall health. Inability to achieve erecting is one of the topmost source of stress among adult men.
Sadly, lot of men who are down with erectile dysfunction suffer in silence, and most often do not seek for proper medical support or counsel.
Difficulty in achieve firm erection during intercourse can sometimes be an early warning signal of a more serious associated medical condition that requires urgent attention, as well as a potential risk for cardiovascular disease. For instance, erectile dysfunction is known to be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease.
Changes in your sexual performance can act as a warning sign for your heart.
The good news here is ED can be treated, and it can also benefit your cardiovascular health.
So don’t hesitate to consult a doctor if you are having sexual function problem.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed because you are not alone in this journey. There are many men in you community seeking help to find cure for their ED problem.
Remember a stitch in time saves nine, addressing an underlying health condition can sometimes help to cure erectile dysfunction.
In this article, we shall x-ray among other things the prevalence , causes and the effects of erectile dysfunction on men.
Prevalence Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a very common disorder in men between the ages of 40 and 70 year.-1 While Erectile dysfunction is very common in older men, age alone does not cause Erectile dysfunction. Along with a number of other diseases like ischemic heart disease and diabetes, the incidence of Erectile dysfunction rise with age. Also, a number of risk factors, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, lifetime cigarette exposure, and hypertension, become more common with age. It is estimated that globally the incidence of Erectile dysfunction range from 2% in men younger than 40 years to 86% in men 80 years or older.
- According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS), 52% of males aged 40 to 70 had some sort of erectile dysfunction (ED). The truth is that Erectile dysfunction is a natural aspect of ageing, and its prevalence rises with age. Again, MMAS, approximately 50% of men aged 50, 60% of men aged 60, and 70% of men aged 70 had Erectile dysfunction. As a result, practically all men who live long enough will experience Erectile dysfunction.
- It is estimated that about 1 in 10 men will have Erectile dysfunction at some point in their lifetime.
- In the United States, the overall prevalence of Erectile dysfunction in men aged 20 and older is 18.4 percent, suggesting that Erectile dysfunction affects nearly 18 million men.
- It is projected that more than 300 million men worldwide will suffer from the condition by the year 2025 an increase from 152 million men in 1995–3
- Men above the age of 40 are 3 times more likely to experience complete Erectile dysfunction than younger men.
- Nearly 30 million people in the United States are said to be affected by erectile dysfunction, which is the most common disorder of sexual function in males after early ejaculation.
- Rosen et al. revealed an Erectile dysfunction incidence of 8% among men between the ages 20–29 years and 11% men between the ages 30–39 years.
- The prevalence rates of Erectile dysfunction among men visiting primary care clinics were found to be 57.4 percent in Nigeria, 63.6 percent in Egypt, and 80.8 percent in Pakistan.
This increase can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of diseases like hypertension, obesity, depression , and diabetes as well as other disorders connected to Erectile dysfunction.
Despite this staggering statistics and the unarguable effect that erectile function has on a man’s self-esteem and well-being. Most men still feel uncomfortable to discuss their sex life with a health care practitioner. But they overlook the fact that having healthy sexual relationships can enhance their quality of life and are an integral element of living a healthy lifestyle in general.
Why Is ED Under-Reported?
ED is still under-reported and under-recognized in spite of the high prevalence, detrimental effects, and successful treatment options.
ED is generally Under-reported especially in developing countries due to several reasons. Patient embarrassment is one of the main factor in under-reporting erectile dysfunction cases. Most men feel embarrassed to discuss what they consider as their “private matter” in public. Another reason for the under-reporting of ED is the fear of being stigmatized. Most men would rather die in silence than being seen as “half men” among their peers. Thirdly, men rarely seek medical help when they are sick. Despite having a higher propensity for certain illnesses than women, studies have shown that women are more inclined than men to seek medical attention. Again, many men think of it as a natural ageing process and some younger men think that it will go away on its own with time.
Process of Sexual Arousal in Man
An intricate process encompassing the brain, hormones, nerves, blood vessels, emotions, and muscles must first take place before a man can be aroused sexually. During sexual stimulation nerve impulses go from the brain to the penis, causing smooth muscular relaxation in the penis. As a result, the erectile tissues will receive more blood inflow. As the tissues in the penis is fill with blood, it expands and becomes upright and firm. The veins in the penis flatten throughout the enlargement process, preventing blood from leaving the penis and causing erection. The penis will remain strong and firm until orgasm and/or ejaculation is accomplished or sexual arousal stops.
For a man to achieve an erection, he needs the following components:
- an appropriate sexual desire;
- sufficient flow of blood into the penis;
- wholesome nerves that supply the penis; and
- an satisfactory circulating level of hormones.
Any upset in any of these mechanisms can cause Erectile dysfunction. In addition, anxiety and tiredness can both cause or exacerbate it.
Symptoms Of ED
Although erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of a variety of underlying conditions, it is a significant but underappreciated cardiovascular risk factor.The following are some symptoms of erectile dysfunction:
- If you frequently have difficulty getting an erection
- If you recurrently have difficulty in maintaining an erection
- If you have reduced sexual desire
In summary, being unable to achieve or maintain an erection repeatedly during sexual activity is the main symptom of erectile dysfunction.
Men More Likely To Suffer ED
List of category of men who are more predispose to come down with Erectile dysfunction
- Men who are 50 and above
- Men who suffer from certain diseases conditions like diabetics, high blood pressure
- Men who are on certain medications
- Men who suffer from certain psychological issues
- Men who are overweight, heavy drinker or smoker
Causes/ Risk Factors
ED can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Erections may take longer to build and may not be as strong as they once were as you advance in age. To achieve an erection, you may require more direct touch to your penis.
ED can be caused by a number of risk factors, including:
- Health conditions: notably diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Blood vessel disease – As men gets older, their blood vessels thin and stiffen. This decreases the blood supply to the penis. If the blood supply is low, the penis may not fill with blood, and the veins may not be fully tightened, causing blood to flow out of the penis. As a result, you will be unable to keep an erection.
- Tobacco and alcohol use: Men who smoke and use alcohol drink particularly they are a long-term smokers or heavy drinker are more prone to have erectile dysfunction. Tobacco and alcohol use contain substances which hampers the flow of blood into veins and arteries and also can cause protracted health issues.
- Vascular surgery / Nerve damage: Some surgeries on the bladder, prostate, or intestine cause injuries, to the nerves or arteries that regulate erections. Nerve injury can cause low receptivity or reduced communication to your penis to release the hormones that allow an erection to occur.
- Medications: Some pills such as antidepressant, antihistamines, and medications for high blood pressure, anxiety, and prostate issues can induce erectile dysfunction.
- Hormonal imbalance – A deficiency of testosterone (male hormones) can decrease your sex drive or desire for sexual function.
- Obesity: In comparison to persons who are of normal weight, being overweight or obese may increase the chance of erectile dysfunction (ED) by 30–90%. Stress, anxiety, and depression are examples of psychological conditions-7
- Psychological conditions: Psychosomatic conditions such as stress, anxiety or depression or other mental health conditions can lead to Erectile dysfunction
- Chronic sleep disorders: (obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia)
- Stroke
- Relationship problems like poor communication or poor sexual awareness and other concerns can cause Erectile dysfunction.
Effects of ED On Men
Since sexual intimacy can play a significant role in a marriage or long-term relationship, both couples may experience worry or a sense of loss as a result of this change.
ED can cause men to experience the following:
- Loss of self-esteem,
- Low self-confidence,
- Sense of loss of manhood
- Mood disorders
- Tendency to stay away from spouse
- Feelings of loneliness,
- Rejection and resentment
- Feeling of humiliation
- Marital Problem
- Substance Use and Abuse
When Should You See Your Physician?
It is not unusual for men to have difficulty in attaining or keeping an erection on occasionally. Constant stress, lifestyle modification, and substantial dietary changes can all lead to Erectile dysfunction, even in younger persons. Nevertheless, if you are encountering valid worries in the most of your sex sessions over a few weeks, it may signal a potential health problem and you should consult your physician.
How to lower your risk of developing ED
To lower your risk of developing ED you should consider the following actions:
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce your weight.
- Everyday exercise
- Eating balanced diet
- Find time to relax your mind
- Please get help for depression and other mental health issues
- Maintain the proper levels of cholesterol and blood pressure
- For those having addict issues related to alcohol or drug use, please get help
- Manage diabetes, heart disease, or other chronic medical illnesses in conjunction with your physician.
- If you and your partner are having problem of communication consider couples counseling.
- Always learn about the side effects of the medications you take.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that having a fulfilling sexual life is important for living a happy, healthy life. Consult a doctor for help if you experience erectile dysfunction. Check if you have any of the conditions linked to Erectile dysfunction and be treated if so. Start eating healthily and resolve to exercise more and more every day.
Written by Dr. Edward Omeire | Reviewed by Dr. C.A Omeire-Epidemiologist
Works Cited
- Feldman HA, Johannes CB, Derby CA, Kleinman KP, Mohr BA, Araujo AB, McKinlay JB.Prev Med. 2000 Apr;30(4):328-38. doi: 10.1006/pmed.2000.0643.PMID: 10731462
- Ayta IA, McKinlay JB, Krane RJ. The likely worldwide increase in erectile dysfunction between 1995 and 2025 and some possible policy consequences. BJU Int. 1999 Jul;84(1):50–56.
- Selvin E, Burnett AL, Platz EA. Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in the US. Am J Med. 2007;120(2):151–157. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2006.06.010
- https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)
- Rosen RC, Fisher WA, Eardley I, et al. The multinational Men’s Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) study: I. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and related health concerns in the general population. Curr Med Res Opin 2004;20:607-17. 10.1185/030079904125003467
- Shaeer KZM, Osegbe DN, Siddiqui SH, Razzaque A, Glasser DB, Jaguste V. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and its correlates among men attending primary care clinics in three countries: Pakistan, Egypt, and Nigeria. Int J Impot Res. 2003;15(S1):8–14
- https://www.yalemedicine.org/departments/cardiovascular-medicine
- https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)