Erectile dysfunction

ED, or erectile dysfunction, is medically defined as the inability to achieve or sustain an erection long enough for sexual intercourse. Virtually all men experience some erection failures at certain points in their lives. It can be the result of stress, depression, or sometimes even for no reason at all. For some, the problem becomes chronic. When it does, a diagnosis of ED is made. According to the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, it's a problem that affects about 18 million men in the U.S. alone.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a man’s inability to attain or sustain an erection for sexual intercourse, often with the loss of sexual desire, premature ejaculation, or inability to achieve orgasm. ED causes can be:

• physical,
• psychological, or
• drug-induced

...however, most doctors believe physical factors are responsible for the majority of cases. Several conditions may contribute to ED by impairing blood flow to the penis. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a medical problem like diabetes, heart disease or depression. Physical problems cause an estimated 80% of cases of erection problems. The other 20% of erection problems are psychological. For a long time, doctors thought that erectile dysfunction was mostly all in one's head. Now they know that is not true. Still, the mind plays a big role in getting an erection. Maybe you're losing your erection during sex due to anxiety or other issues between you and your partner. Your doctor can help you determine the cause. These include atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, and chronic alcohol abuse.

High blood pressure is a major cause of erection problems. A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 1988 found that about 49% of men ages 40-79 with high blood pressure had erectile dysfunction. A more recent study of men with high blood pressure, published in the Journal of Urology in 2000, found that 68% of them had some degree of erectile dysfunction. For 45% of the men, it was considered severe.

It can be a persistent condition; however, almost half of all men experience ED only occasionally. ED can have physical, psychological, or drug-induced causes.¹ Although some doctors used to believe differently, most researchers and doctors now believe that physical factors are responsible for the majority of ED cases.

Erectile dysfunction may be more common among men who smoke cigarettes than among nonsmokers. An Australian survey of more than 8,300 men aged 16-59 shows that erectile dysfunction was 40% more likely to occur among men who smoked more than 20 daily cigarettes, compared with nonsmokers. Also, erectile dysfunction was 24% more likely to occur among men who smoked up to 20 cigarettes per day, compared with nonsmokers.

Erectile dysfunction affects 18 million men in the U.S. alone. Get information about the causes and promising treatments, from drugs to lifestyle changes. Also, find experts and online support. Self-care for erectile dysfunction can be approached in a number of ways—but it can be hard to know just where to start. To make it easier, our doctors recommend trying these simple steps first:

• Get a checkup - ED can be caused by some diseases and may be a side effect of certain medications
• Consider counseling - Psychological issues can be a cause, or an effect, of ED
• Quit smoking - Men who smoke have an increased ED risk

Ever felt like you don't measure up? You don't need negative comments to make you feel self conscious about yourself, do you remember feeling small from merely a look? Penis size is one of the main concerns of modern men, with many feeling that they don't measure up. Feelings of inadequacy in your size and sexual performance can have a very detrimental effect on your confidence and everyday life. Read more....