Information About Erectile Dysfunction

If you are a man, there is one topic that comes up in conversation with other men often. That topic is "erectile dysfunction". The topic arises in conversations because every man experiences it from time to time due to stress, illness, and lack of sleep or emotional turmoil. There are other causes of erectile dysfunction (ET) that will put some men in a higher risk category for long-term erectile dysfunction.

There are physical causes that put a man at a higher risk for erectile dysfunction. Those physical causes are having diabetes, or diseases of the lung, liver, kidney or heart. Another cause for erectile dysfunction in men are any medical issues that revolve around the nerves, arteries or veins in a man, that can lead to a disruption in blood flow. An erection requires adequate blood flow to the penis during sexual arousal. If the blood flow is decreased or blocked than an erection does not take place.

Erectile dysfunction can disrupt a couple's sex life and can lead to relationship issues that cause more emotional upheaval that can add to the erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can cause a man to feel like there is something wrong with his “manliness” which can lead to more stress and depression. Emotional upheaval, stress and depression are all emotional causes of erectile dysfunction and when they occur as a direct result of temporary erectile dysfunction they exacerbate the situation and can lead to long-term erectile dysfunction. Sometimes the emotional causes occur before the physical symptoms of erectile dysfunction such as a break-up in a relationship, stress at work, problems at college that bring about great stress for the man. The emotional causes for erectile dysfunction can work both ways, as a cause or as a result of erectile dysfunction that causes further deterioration of the problem. Anxiety, depression and stress can all lead to temporary or long-term erectile dysfunction.

Another cause for erectile dysfunction is substance abuse of alcohol, illegal drugs and marijuana. Excessive tobacco use can damage penile arteries, interfering with blood flow and also be a cause for erectile dysfunction.

There is something a man can do about temporary or long-term erectile dysfunction. He can make an appointment to see his physician. He will be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire and to answer questions regarding his sexual activities that will help his doctor to determine the cause(s) of his erectile dysfunction. His sexual partner may also be asked to answer questions regarding sexual activities, as the answers may be significant clues to helping the doctor understand if the cause is physical or emotional.

A physical examination and laboratory tests can also lead the doctor to understand the cause(s) of the erectile dysfunction. Understanding the cause will lead to the proper treatment. Treatment can be a combination of medication, counseling, surgery and mechanical devices.

It is important that any man experiencing temporary or permanent erectile dysfunction seek medical attention so that the cause can be determined and symptoms treated. Erectile dysfunction can be treated, but treatment starts with seeking information, a diagnosis and a determination of the cause.