What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
It's the inability to get or maintain an erection hard and long enough for satisfactory intercourse. One in five men over 40 has erectile dysfunction, so if you have it, you're not alone.
What's Needed for a Healthy Erection?
There are three basic needs:
- Adequate Blood flow
- Healthy nervous system
- Sexual Stimulation
What Causes ED?
Many factors contribute to erectile dysfunction - some you may even find surprising! They are listed below.
- Hair-loss Drugs. Medication used to treat male pattern hair loss can cause a loss of libido in men as well as erectile dysfunction. It also lowers hormones in the body, and hormones maintain your libido.
- High Blood Pressure. Hypertension [high Blood Pressure (BP)] damages blood vessels, which makes them less elastic and so reduces their ability to transport blood quickly. Some medicines for high blood pressure also cause ED. Usually, a healthy diet and exercise can help control high BP, so perhaps consider these two options.
- Medication. You must consult your doctor about any meds you're taking. There are possibly many other meds that are not helpful for ED.
- Junk food. We all know that an unhealthy diet often leads to weight gain, which, in turn, lowers testosterone levels. Testosterone is a vital hormone for boosting your desire and performance, so if you're overweight, you might need to watch your performance levels.
- Diabetes. The irregular blood-sugar levels of Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels that control erections. Men who have diabetes are two to three times more likely to have ED than those who don't.
- Depression. Feeling depressed can alter your biochemical makeup, reducing your libido and making it difficult to get and maintain an erection.
- Smoking. Smoking causes a buildup of plaque and fatty materials against the walls of your arteries. The more you smoke, the more your arteries clog up, making it difficult for your blood to flow freely to your penis.
- Stress. When you're stressed, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline into your bloodstream, which causes your blood vessels to constrict. Stress can also lead to depression, which is also a cause of ED, so this is a doubly bad whammy.
- Gum Disease is an indicator of overall poor health and is linked to heart disease, which is a known cause of ED. It is caused by poor blood flow to the gums, which could mean the poor flow is affecting other areas of your body, too.
For Your Information
If you'd like more info on this subject, our blog post, How Sex Toys Can Help With Erectile Dysfunction, might give you a more in-depth view of the causes and treatment of ED.
