Title: Erectile Dysfunction and Age: Together or Not?
ED is an inherited medical disorder that impacts all men at some point in their lives. It’s defined primarily as a failure to produce or sustain an erection in order to have adequate sex. While always thought of as a men’s illness, ED can occur at any age. But many people believe that ED occurs with age. This begs the question, is erectile dysfunction a natural part of growing old? This article will focus on age and erectile dysfunction, causes, risk factors, and treatment options.
Let’s begin with the fallacy that ED is an inevitable byproduct of old age. It’s certainly true that ED is more common in older individuals, but it doesn’t occur as we get older. A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine estimates that ED rates around 26% among men under 40, and 40% among men aged 40-49. The incidence is rising, reaching 70% among men over 70. But this does not imply that all men will develop ED at an advanced age.
Age isn’t the only reason ED occurs. The most common cause of ED is a physical condition that restricts the flow of blood to the penis, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. With the passage of time, men become prone to these chronic health conditions, and it is as a result that they develop ED. Additionally, medications, like those prescribed for high blood pressure or depression, can cause ED as well.
Physical Conditions:
The most common ED is a physical disorder affecting the flow of blood around the penis. Heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are three causes of ED. These conditions can degrade blood vessels and nerves, which can interfere with the body’s ability to create and sustain an erection.
ED is induced by cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, that impairs the blood vessels that nourish the penis. When blood vessels are constricted or impassable due to plaque buildup, blood flow to the penis decreases and the erection cannot be established or maintained.
Another common cause of ED is diabetes. Diabetes can lead to high blood sugar levels and damage the blood vessels and nerves, slowing down the body’s natural ability to produce and sustain an erection. ED is, indeed, a leading cause of diabetes and affects as many as three in four men with diabetes.
ED is also a result of elevated blood pressure, or hypertension. Untreated, high blood pressure weakens blood vessels that can diminish blood flow to the penis. That makes it challenging to get or maintain an erection.
Medications:
Certain medications can also cause ED. Diuretics and beta blockers for high blood pressure decrease the supply of blood to the penis, which results in the failure to produce or sustain erections. ED can occur as a side effect of some antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Other medications that can trigger ED are antihistamines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants. These drugs act on the nervous system and affect how well the body manages an erection.
ED can also be caused by psychological disorders. Stress, anxiety and depression can all interfere with a man’s ability to produce and sustain an erection. Such challenges are especially common for men as they get older, whether because they’re retiring, having a budget, or have lost someone close to them. ED is also associated with relationship issues, ineffective communication, and performance anxiety.
But what we need to remember is that not all men over 50 will develop ED, and not all men under 50 will never get it. Many other risk factors increase a man’s risk of ED, regardless of age. These include smoking, drinking and being lazy. Researchers have also found that men who are physically active, eat healthy, and don’t smoke are less likely to suffer from ED regardless of age.
Now that we know age is not the only risk factor for ED, it’s time to know what treatment options are available. The initial goal of ED treatment is to address any physical or mental concerns. For instance, if the cause of ED is high blood pressure, controlling it with medications and dietary changes will optimize erectile activity. Likewise, counseling or therapy can alleviate the mental causes of ED.
If ED cannot be effectively treated through lifestyle modification or an underlying illness, there are alternatives. Pills like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra are the commonly used drugs for ED. These medicines act by increasing blood supply to the penis that produces a firm and lasting erection. However, it is important to remember that these medicines are not effective for everyone and may cause side effects such as headache, dizziness, and eye changes.
If you don’t respond to medicine, or want something else besides drugs, you can use penile injections, vacuum erection machines, or penises. These therapies are generally harmless and safe, but they do involve the patient’s level of comfort and receptivity.
Conclusion:
In sum, although the prevalence of ED increases with age, it is not a mandatory disorder. ED is the result of many causes and simply because a person is older is not the only cause. Maintaining a good diet and avoiding chronic illnesses that will contribute to an ED will help control, or rather prevent, ED. Healthy belief that ED is a disease and can be treated medically is the key to living a healthy, fulfilling, and enjoyable sexual life no matter what age.
