Know about the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a person’s inability to achieve or maintain an erection, or the inability to achieve ejaculation. There are several causes of erectile dysfunction, some of which may be emotional, and some may be physical. Erectile dysfunction can have a negative effect on not only the person’s sex life, but may also cause stress, low self-esteem, and even depression.

Symptoms of erectile dysfunction

There is a possibility that you may have an erectile dysfunction if you have any of the symptoms that are mentioned below-

• Regular trouble getting an erection.
• Difficulty in maintaining an erection during sexual activities.
• Reduced interest in sex and sexual activities.

Some of the other sexual disorders that can be related to erectile dysfunction are-

• Delayed ejaculation.
• Premature ejaculation.
• Anorgasmia, which is a person’s inability to achieve orgasm even after ample stimulation.

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should visit your doctor. Especially, if the symptoms have lasted for more than two months.

Causes of erectile dysfunction

It is important to know about the potential causes of erectile dysfunction to identify the condition. Below are the five common causes of erectile dysfunction.

• Endocrine diseases
  Hormones that regulate the body’s sexual function, metabolism, mood, and reproduction are produced by the endocrine system. People who are diagnosed with endocrine diseases may experience erectile dysfunction as their endocrine system is affected by the condition. One common example of an endocrine disease is diabetes as it affects the body’s ability to utilize the insulin hormone. Even chronic diabetes can have side effects that are associated with nerve damage. These side effects tend to affect the sensations of the penis. Also, endocrine diseases are associated with impaired blood flow and hormone levels. These factors can further contribute to erectile dysfunction.
• Certain medications

Consumption of certain medications can affect the blood flow and further lead to erectile dysfunction. However, the medications’ consumption should not be stopped without a doctor’s permission, even if it is the possible cause of an erectile dysfunction.

• Neurological and nerve disorders
  There are various neurological conditions that can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. The ability of the brain to communicate with the reproductive system is affected by nerve conditions. This can lead to an inability to attain or maintain an erection. Some of the disorders that are associated with erectile dysfunction are Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, temporal lobe epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain or spinal tumors. Also, people who have had a prostate gland surgery can also experience nerve damage that can further lead to erectile dysfunction.
• Cardiac-related conditions
  Health conditions that affect the heart and its ability to pump blood can cause erectile dysfunction as well. When there is not enough blood flow to the penis, a person may find it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. One example of such a health condition is atherosclerosis as it can cause the blood vessels to clog and lead to erectile dysfunction. Also, heart conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol are associated with increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
• Emotional disorders and lifestyle habits
  A person has to experience a phase of excitement to achieve an erection in the first place. Getting in the excitement phase can be an emotional response and if a person is going through some emotional disorder, it can be hard for him to be sexually excited. An increased risk of erectile dysfunction is associated with people who are suffering from depression and anxiety. The feeling of numbness, sadness, or hopelessness is associated with depression. Also, fatigue that is related to depression can cause erectile dysfunction. Also, another possible cause of erectile dysfunction is performance anxiety. If a person was unable to achieve an erection in the past, he may feel conscious and worry that he may not be able to achieve an erection in the future as well. Also, people who are associated with drug abuse of drugs like cocaine and amphetamines have an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. Even alcohol abuse and alcoholism can affect the ability of a person of achieving and maintaining an erection.

Risk factors for erectile dysfunction-

There are risk factors of erectile dysfunction that are not good for your health in general as well. Some of the common risk factors associated with erectile dysfunction are-

• Smoking
  Smoking increases the risk of hardening your arteries and this can, in turn, reduce the blood flow to the penis. It’s the blood flow that helps in getting an erection and that can be obstructed due to smoking.

• Obesity
  The risk of being diagnosed with any blood vessel disease increases when you are overweight or obese. This can further cause erectile dysfunction. It is necessary to also exercise regularly and have an active lifestyle to avoid erectile dysfunction.

• Stress
  Stress can be one of the primary cause of erectile dysfunction as when your mind is stressed, it can be hard to relax, be in a good mood, and achieve an erection.