What
is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile
dysfunction is when a man is unable 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.
How
common is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile
dysfunction is very common and becomes more common as men age. Survey showed that at least one in five men over the age of 40 years has
erectile problems and about one in ten men are completely unable to have
erections. With each increasing decade of age, the chance of having erectile
problems increases.
What
causes erectile dysfunction?
Many
factors can affect a man’s ability to get and keep an erection. Two or three
factors, that may be a combination of physical and psychological factors, are
often present at one time. Sometimes there is no clear reason for the erectile
dysfunction; however, most cases of erectile dysfunction have a physical cause.
Is
erectile dysfunction just part of getting old?
There
is no doubt that the muscle cells in the ageing penis are less responsive,
interfering with getting and keeping good erections. Like the rest of the
ageing body, muscle tone in the penis reduces with age, as do many other
aspects of sexual function.
It
can take longer for a man to get fully aroused. It may take much longer before
a second erection happens compared to when the man was younger, and usually the
erection is not as firm.
How
is erectile dysfunction treated?
For
most men, erectile dysfunction cannot be cured, for some there may be a
reversible underlying cause. For this reason, it is important to assess all men
with erectile
problems to see if there is a treatable cause. Usually there will not be a
specific treatment that will lead to the improvement of erectile dysfunction.
However, there are treatments that will allow erections to happen and can be
used to allow sexual activity to take place.
There
are three main types of treatments: non-invasive treatments such as tablet
medicines and external devices (e.g. vacuum device); penile injections; and for
men who have not had success with other treatments, surgery (e.g. penile
implant) may be an option.
Can
I do anything to prevent erectile dysfunction?
Although
not proven, it is likely that erectile dysfunction can be prevented by good
general health, paying particular attention to body weight, exercise, and
cigarette smoking. For example, heart disease and diabetes are problems that
can cause erectile dysfunction, and both are preventable through lifestyle
changes such as sensible eating and regular exercise. Furthermore, early
diagnosis and treatment of associated conditions like diabetes, hypertension
and high cholesterol may prevent or delay erectile dysfunction, or stop the
erectile dysfunction from getting more serious.
Can
a medicine or disease cause erectile dysfunction?
Sometimes
men have erectile problems when they are taking medicines for other medical
conditions. It is important not to stop taking prescribed medicines without
first checking with a doctor. By working with the doctor, most men can find
treatments that not only improve their general health and well-being, but also
help the erectile problem.
Where
can I get help for erectile dysfunction?
The
local doctor is the best first point of contact if you have erectile problems.
Often the local doctor can treat erectile problems without the need to refer to
a specialist. Local doctors are able to prescribe medicines to treat erectile
dysfunction. It is important to talk openly to a doctor about any problems with
sexual functioning but this may be difficult for both you and the doctor. Most
doctors are trained to deal with these problems, but if the doctor is not
comfortable or confident in this area of medicine, they may refer you to a
colleague in their practice or to a specialist if necessary. A good
relationship with the doctor is important as treatment for erectile dysfunction
may be ongoing and need regular review.
While
the Internet is an important source of information, not all men can sort out
which resources are safe and reliable. Ordering treatments on the Internet
without a correct assessment is dangerous, and by bypassing the doctor, an
opportunity for assessment is missed. Unfortunately, there are some clinics
that take advantage of men with erectile dysfunction, providing services which
are not helpful, often at increased prices, and often not providing a medical
assessment.
