Erectile Dysfunction
What is erectile dysfunction?
ED is an inability to get and / or keep an erection that allows sexual activity with penetration. It is not a disease, but a symptom of some other problem, either physical, psychological or a mixture of both.
ED should not be confused with low libido (little interest in sex), the inability to reach an orgasm, or ejaculate. Premature (too early) and retrograde(into the bladder) ejaculation are also unrelated problems which require a different approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Occasional ED is normal. There is no need to worry about the occasional failure to get or keep an erection. Some of the causes of occasional ED include excessive intake of alcohol, anxiety, and tiredness. One of the most common causes of ED in middle aged men is lack of sleep.
What is erectile dysfunction?
ED is an inability to get and / or keep an erection that allows sexual activity with penetration. It is not a disease, but a symptom of some other problem, either physical, psychological or a mixture of both.
ED should not be confused with low libido (little interest in sex), the inability to reach an orgasm, or ejaculate. Premature (too early) and retrograde(into the bladder) ejaculation are also unrelated problems which require a different approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Occasional ED is normal. There is no need to worry about the occasional failure to get or keep an erection. Some of the causes of occasional ED include excessive intake of alcohol, anxiety, and tiredness. One of the most common causes of ED in middle aged men is lack of sleep.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Many factors can interfere with getting an erection and often two or three factors are present at the sametime. In other instances there appears to be no obvious cause for the erectile dysfunction; however, most cases of erectile dysfunction are physical in origin.
There are many diseases that interfere with the functioning of the penis by either reducing blood flow or affecting the nerves. Some of these diseases include heart and blood vessel diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and alcoholism. When the ED is caused by a physical illness, it usually develops slowly.
A side effect of some prescription drugs, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications,is ED..
One in 10 cases of ED is caused by psychological factors. A man’s sex drive (libido) can be affected by stress, such as problems at work or financial worries. Feeling depressed and anxious about poor sexual performance can also lead to ED.
Known causes of ED include:
Psychological issues:
- Performance anxiety
- Sexual attitudes and upbringing
- Relationship problems
- Employment and financial pressures
- Depression
- Psychiatric disorders
Serious health (metabolic) problems:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Chronic renal failure
- High cholesterol
- Sleep apnea
Reduced blood flow:
- Atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries)
Interference by medication, alcohol, and other drugs
- Cigarettes
- Alcohol abuse
- Recreational and prescription drug abuse
- High blood pressure medications
- High cholesterol medications
- Depression medications
- Psychiatric disorder medications
- Prostate cancer medications
Interference with nerve function:
- Parkinson's Disease
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Spinal cord trauma
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Pelvic surgery (prostate, bowel)
Urological problems:
- Peyronie's disease
- Pelvic trauma
Dr. Shawn is proud to offer state of the art, practical, and affordable treatment options to help maintain your sex life
and keep your confidence where it belongs….erect!
and keep your confidence where it belongs….erect!