Erectile Dysfunction In Young Men

Erectile dysfunction, or the inability of a man to get an erection or sustain one long enough to complete sexual intercourse, is a serious medical condition that afflicts millions of men in the US, especially younger men. According to estimates by the National Institutes of Health, as many as thirty million American men suffer from ED at any one time. And the risk of developing ED increases as they grow older; 4% of men in their 50s suffer from the total inability to get an erection, which increases to 17% in those in their 60s and 47% for men older than 75. What are the main causes of ED? According to the NIH, 70% of cases are due to some underlying physical disease such as diabetes or kidney problems which hinder blood flow to the penis. Physiological conditions are also known to cause ED and the NIH reports that 15% of known cases are due to such factors. These can include stress, depression, anxiety, guilt and low self-esteem. And smoking is a major risk factor for ED, as it can increase the chances of developing the condition by fifty percent.

How is ED diagnosed? You will have to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your problem, during which he may schedule a physical exam and laboratory tests to identify any underlying physical factors that may be responsible for your ED. The physical exam will focus on the vascular, nervous and urinary systems in addition to the genitals. The doctor will also check your blood pressure since there is a recognized connection between hypertension and ED. Lab tests will check testosterone levels as well as for cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, prostate specific antigen and thyroid function.

In addition, your doctor will interview you to compile a comprehensive sexual, psychological and medical history. The questions asked during the interview will range from the current medications you are currently taking as well as those you may have taken in the past year, the exact nature of your problems getting and maintaining an erection, your use of substances such as alcohol, tobacco and caffeine as well as prohibited drugs, and your relationship with your sexual partner as well as your level of sexual desire. He will also ask about your past, since factors such as childhood abuse and sexual trauma may also be behind ED. Make sure to answer these questions frankly and honestly.

Now that you are aware of the causes of erectile dysfunction, how can you reduce the symptoms of ED?

1. Lifestyle modifications. Removing risk factors through healthy life changes may be able to reduce or eliminate ED. For example, quitting smoking can have a great effect on your ability to sustain erections as well as reducing the amount of coffee you drink. Having a regular workout as well as losing excess weight can also help control ED, particularly if the underlying cause is diabetes. And of course, eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking sufficient water can help boost your overall wellness level and improve your ability to get and maintain erections. Meditating can help alleviate ED as well.

2. Removing or changing medications that cause ED. For example, hypertension medicines that contain beta-blockers or diuretics have been known to result in erectile problems. Other drugs that have been linked to ED include antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If you suspect that medication you are currently taking is giving you ED, you should consult with your doctor for alternatives. In addition, frequently abused and recreational drugs can also hinder your ability to become erect. These include marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines, as well as nicotine and alcohol.

3. Addressing psychological factors. If you are suffering from stress or other emotional disorders that have been linked to ED, you should address these by seeking help from family or friends or seeing mental health professionals to get therapy. There are also some steps you can take on your own to reduce stress, whether it is caused by job problems, a serious change in life circumstances or relationship issues. For example, you can practice deep breathing techniques that can help to calm you down when you are feeling stressed out. You can also take responsibility for your personal circumstances and take steps to improve them rather than blaming others and feeling helpless. And you can learn to express your emotions in a healthy fashion instead of withdrawing or becoming angry.

4. Communicating with your sexual partner. The underlying cause of your ED may simply be a loss of sexual desire for your partner due to unresolved relationship issues. If this is the case, then you should seek to improve communications with each other or go into relationship counseling.