While most ED patients are over 40 years of age, a common occurrence amongst older men is erectile dissatisfaction, a separate affliction involving
Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain a firm erection in order to perform sexual activity.
The penis contains two chambers called the corpora cavernosa, which run the length of the organ. Upon sexual stimulation, impulses from the brain and local nerves cause the muscles of the corpus cavernosa to relax, allowing blood to flow in and fill the chambers. The influx of blood makes the penis expand, causing an erection.
When muscles in the penis contract to stop the inflow of blood and open outflow channels, the erection effect is reversed, and the penis returns to a flaccid state.
The process of male sexual arousal is complex, involving the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, blood vessels and muscles. ED happens when there is limited blood supply to the penis, upon sexual stimulation. This can result from an issue with any one of these aspects of the body, making identification of the root cause an important part of treatment.
There are many causes of erectile dysfunction. Below we have broken the most common causes down into physical and psychological:
Compounding the physical causes of ED, stress, and mental health concerns, can exacerbate symptoms. This is defined as psychogenic erectile dysfunction, or the presence of a mental state where stressors or thought patterns can contribute to the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. While this may be circumstantial or situational, it is important to recognise how overall mental health can affect ED.
While having occasional difficulty with an erection isn’t a cause for concern, the persistence of an unfirm erection can cause significant stress and psychological triggers related to feelings of inadequacy or failure. The ensuing anxiety can compound the physical effects related to your erectile dysfunction.
In most cases, men who were able to previously achieve and maintain an erection may well find that there is a good chance of reversing ED. This is largely cause-dependent, although maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle greatly improves one’s chances of achieving a full recovery from ED symptoms.
ED caused by uncontrolled long-term conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, a full recovery may be impeded by the long-term damage that has been caused. Early onset of such long-term conditions makes it easier to cure ED by reversing the effects of these conditions. A healthy lifestyle has a large part to play in this.
Where long-term conditions are not controlled, or where they have caused long term damage, the chances of reversing ED become slim. Hardening and thickening of arteries caused by high blood pressure and cholesterol reduce blood flow to the penis. Nerve damage caused by uncontrolled diabetes over a long period of time can also cause ED.
While there is no simple cure for ED, engaging in the following healthy lifestyle practices can limit your risk of suffering from erectile dysfunction.
The use of anabolic steroids can cause ED. Steroids are synthetically produced drugs which mimic the action of testosterone. Men looking to build muscle will take steroids in a bid to gain more muscle, as more testosterone can help to build muscle and lose fat. The use of steroids, also referred to as “roids”, can increase blood pressure and cholesterol, causing ED. By taking steroids, you are confusing the body as it thinks that it does not need to produce its own testosterone. This can shrink the testicles, reducing libido and making it difficult to get an erection. It can take around 3-12 months for testosterone levels to return to normal after steroid use. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during this time can help to speed up this process.
ED after prostate surgery is something most men will experience after the procedure. This is due to nerve damage as a result of surgery. Depending on the nature of surgery and how possible it was to spare the nerves, ED is likely. ED can last up to 3 years after surgery; however, around 40-50% of men will recover within one year, with 30-60% of men taking 2 years to recover.
ED following radiation therapy has a worse outcome, with up to 50% of men experiencing erectile dysfunction following the procedure. It is unlikely that men experiencing ED following prostate radiation therapy will see much improvement. During this time, your GP or urologist is likely to prescribe ED medication to help overcome erectile problems. Penis pumps may also be recommended where medical intervention is not possible.
Temporary erectile dysfunction is a common experience which can be a source of concern and stress, but it’s essential to remember that solutions are available, and it often resolves with the right approach. Here are some effective steps to treat temporary ED:
By taking a holistic approach that incorporates medical advice, lifestyle changes, and therapeutic strategies, most men can overcome temporary erectile dysfunction successfully. If you experience persistent ED, it’s important to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
When it comes to the onset of ED, there are often underlying issues that require resolution prior to tackling any secondary aggravators. Once the primary source of ED has been identified and addressed, it is possible to reverse and treat the condition permanently. In some primary cases – for example if a man has never been able to achieve or maintain a rigid erection – treating ED permanently is more of a challenge, depending on the cause. Erectile problems caused by psychological factors can be treated with therapy and counselling, however, response to counselling will vary depending on the individual. Where the issue is physical, the root cause will need to be identified and the right treatment option assigned. Where this is not possible, medical intervention using ED treatments may help.
Similarly, a medical condition such as Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis or irreversible nerve damage may make curing ED unlikely or impossible. In the event that you believe you are suffering from the onset of ED symptoms, consult a medical professional in order to determine your best course of action. Early identification – and the understanding that erectile dysfunction is a normal, common, and treatable ailment – can go a long way toward preventing further complications.
Erectile dysfunction can go away by itself if the cause is psychological. It may take therapy or counselling to help restore confidence, but it is usually temporary. ED caused by physical factors is harder to reverse and depends on the extent of damage caused by long-term conditions. Treating the underlying issues early on increases the chances to improve erectile function.
ED is an overwhelmingly common and normal condition that affects millions of men around the world. If ED isn’t caused by a significant underlying condition such as diabetes or heart disease, your chances of recovery following treatment are very high.
Despite generally having a high testosterone level, many young men can – and regularly do – experience the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Hormonal imbalances, alcohol consumption and performance anxiety can play a part in causing ED in young people. Psychological factors are one of the main culprits in causing ED in younger men.
Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.