Erectile Dysfunction: All You Need To Know

ED or erectile dysfunction is a common sex problem in men. According to the National Institute of Health, erectile dysfunction affects around 30 million men in the U.S alone. When a male constantly experiences trouble in keeping or getting an erection firm enough to have sex, it’s probably because of the condition defined as ED.
It’s common for men to have erectile issues from time to time. However, a condition is only considered ED when it prevails for a longer time or progresses. Usually, the condition happens due to the following reasons.

• Reduced blood flow or damage in the penis nerves
• Due to emotional reasons such as stress
• An early sign of severe illness such as heart diseases, high blood sugar level from diabetes, hypertension, or atherosclerosis (blockage or hardening of arteries)

Finding the right cause for ED can help treat your problem and maintain your overall well-being. A simple rule here is that whatever is beneficial for your health is also beneficial for your sex health.

How Erections Happen

When a male is sexually aroused, his body releases a chemical that helps in increasing the blood flow into the penis nerves. The blood then flows into two separate erection chambers made out of spongy muscle tissues in the penis. These erection chambers are called corpus cavernosum.
When an adequate amount of blood flows in these chambers, the tissues of the chamber relax and make it difficult for blood to flow, due to which the blood pressure in the penile nerves increases. This increases blood pressure hardens the penis causing an erection.
The penis gets limp and soft once the person is not sexually aroused anymore. Men often notice the variation in their penis size with cold, warmth, or worry. This variation is normal and is due to the balance of blood leaving and coming into the penis.

Symptoms

Regularly experiencing one of the following conditions can be a symptom of ED:

• Difficulty in having an erection
• Trouble maintaining an erection
• Reduced sexual desire or interest

Consult a physician in case of experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if the symptoms have lasted for more than three months. In-time diagnosis and treatment can offer better results and a quicker recovery.

Causes

As mentioned earlier, experiencing difficulty having an erection once in a while is quite normal. However, consulting a Urologist is advisable when the condition becomes bothersome and routine.
ED can be an early sign of various cardiovascular diseases. It indicates a blockage in a man’s vascular system. Studies suggest that men experiencing ED are at a significantly higher risk of stroke, heart attack, or circulatory problems in the lower body. Other common causes of ED may also include:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension
• Hormone imbalances
• Low testosterone levels
• Increased age
• Kidney disease
• Obesity
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Certain medications, especially those used to treat depression and hypertension
• Relationship issues
• Drug use
• Sleep disorder
• Consumption of too much tobacco
• Consumption of too much alcohol
• Various health conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
• Damage to pelvic region due to surgery or injury
• Peyronie’s disease

The causes for ED may involve any one or more of these factors. For this reason, working with a doctor to treat or rule out any underlying health condition is crucial.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis for ED may involve various tests and medical history. The tests may include a physical exam, a psychological exam, and some additional tests.

Physical Exam

A doctor may inspect your lungs, blood pressure, and heart during the physical exam for ED. The doctor may also examine your penis and testicles or recommend a rectal exam for checking your prostate.

Psychological Exam

During a psychological exam for erectile dysfunction, a doctor may ask you questions about your sexual history, health history, or symptoms. Responses from you can help doctors evaluate the seriousness of your ED.

Additional tests

Your doctor may also recommend additional testing for a better diagnosis. Additional testing may include, but isn’t limited to:
NPT (Nocturnal Penile Tumescence test): In this test, doctors evaluate your nocturnal erection by attaching a battery-operated, portable device to your thighs. Data from the test is stored in the device itself. This data is accessed by your doctor once the test is over.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound imaging is required to examine the blood flowing inside the blood vessels of your penis.
Urine Test: Doctors recommend a urine test to check you for underlying conditions, such as diabetes, which may lead to erectile dysfunction.
Blood Tests: Blood tests are also conducted to check your body for other health conditions that may cause ED. These conditions include thyroid issues, heart disease, and a reduced testosterone level.
Injection Testing: this test involves the injection of a medication into your penis. The medication stimulates an erection, which allows the doctor to evaluate the duration and firmness of your erection.
These tests are helpful in guiding your doctor to reach an accurate conclusion for the causes of your ED and suggest an effective treatment option for you.
Fortunately, erectile dysfunction is treatable in the majority of cases. If you’re experiencing any such problem and looking for reliable urologists or experienced healthcare physicians online, contact TelMDCare. We’re America’s leading virtual doctor and house a team of professional online doctors and physicians who specialize in treating all your sexual, mental, and physical health conditions.
Book a virtual healthcare appointment now for as low as $35. Get in touch with our team of experts today to learn more about services!