Did you know that more than 30 million men in the United States suffer from erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction, also known as ED, is a frustrating condition that can damage a man’s self-confidence and sexual relationships if left untreated. ED may also be a sign that a man is suffering from an underlying condition.
But how to tell if you have erectile dysfunction can be a difficult task. Being unable to get an erection on a rare occasion may not be considered ED. On the other hand, if you have that issue more often, you may have a problem.
Keep reading and learn more about erectile dysfunction, why it happens, and what you can do about it.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
What is erectile dysfunction exactly, you might ask? It has a lot to do with blood flow and the particular anatomy of the penis. The penis contains two very important muscles that are indispensable when it comes to getting an erection: the corpus cavernosum and the corpus spongiosum.
Both of these tissues are unlike regular muscles in that they are spongy. Because they are spongy, they are able to absorb and lock in excess blood. This is the case when a man gets an erection and excess blood rushes into the penis.
Once these tissues engorge with blood, the penis becomes firm enough for sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction usually happens when, for some reason, not enough blood can rush to the penis. This problem is more common in older men and it may be attributed to a health condition such as heart disease which makes it difficult for blood to flow as it should throughout the body.
While ED tends to happen in older men, it can also happen in young men, depending on the cause. For example, there are some cases of erectile dysfunction that may have a mental component behind them. Some men may be under a lot of stress or may have low self-esteem.
If this is the case, the man in question may have a difficult time achieving an erection. This is one of the simpler types of ED and you can fix the problem by changing your way of thinking. By giving yourself a chance to relax, you should be able to overcome any mental issues that may prevent you from getting an erection.
However, if the cause of your ED is not mental, you may have more serious problems to deal with. In this case, you may need to make some lifestyle changes.
Symptoms and Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Out of all the erectile dysfunction symptoms, the most common, of course, is the inability to get an erection. But this is not the only symptom of ED and you shouldn’t necessarily think you have ED if you have this problem on occasion. ED may be a problem for you if you are consistently unable to get an erection on most occasions.
Another symptom is that you are able to get an erection at first but then are unable to maintain the erection that will last long enough for sex. You may also experience low libido in general. If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you may have erectile dysfunction.
But what might have caused your ED in the first place? Heart disease and diabetes are two of the main culprits of this condition. Both diseases make it difficult for blood to flow through the body as it is supposed to.
For example, with heart disease, many of your blood vessels will likely be partially clogged with fat and other debris. This will make it difficult for enough blood to flow to the penis and create an erection. Obesity is also another common culprit along with smoking.
But, as you will find in this erectile dysfunction guide, there is still hope for treatment. If you go to a doctor and are diagnosed with ED, the main thing that your doctor will recommend will be to enact some lifestyle changes. Losing weight is especially important.
This will take a lot of stress off of your body and will give your blood a better chance to flow through your blood vessels. Eating a healthy diet can help you lose weight and it can also reduce any inflammation you might have in your body.
Treatment Options for ED
There are many treatment options for ED and some may work better than others. As mentioned before, losing weight is an important factor. If you smoke, quitting may also be a good idea.
That’s because nicotine tends to constrict blood vessels. If you already have problems with blood flow, smoking will not help. Medication is a very common treatment option if losing weight has not helped you.
There are medication options such as Viagra that you can try. They take some time to kick in, usually between 30 minutes and an hour, so you should take them some time before you plan to engage in sexual intercourse. However, you should also keep in mind that medication for ED can sometimes come with side effects.
If medication doesn’t work for your ED, you can always try Bath Mate. Bath Mate is a device that acts as a vacuum for the penis. It is able to stimulate the blood flow to the penis in a way that other treatment options are not able to.
How to Tell If You Have Erectile Dysfunction
How to tell if you have erectile dysfunction doesn’t have to be difficult. As long as you know what to look for and by going to a doctor, you should be able to tell whether or not you have ED. If you do have ED, there are plenty of treatment options available such as losing weight.
To learn more, check out the health section on our website.