Many men will have trouble with achieving or maintaining an erection at some point in their lives, and while it isn’t necessarily normal, it is common. The clinical term erectile dysfunction (commonly referred to by the acronym ED), is reserved for men who have a problem getting or keeping an erection more often than not. And while it can certainly put a damper on sexual intimacy, ED can also serve as a warning sign of other serious health issues. Knowing why erectile dysfunction happens and what you can do about it are important for getting the help you need.
Historically, a man’s decline in sexual function was seen as a consequence of old age or severe stress and emotional issues. Although these factors can still play a part, more modern science has revealed that there are a number of serious health concerns that can lead to ED and that warrant investigation.
[See: 4 Subtle Signs of Depression in Men.]
First, a simplified anatomy overview for a rather complicated human process. Most people know that the chief sign of sexual arousal in men is a hard, erect penis. What many may not know is how the penis achieves this state. It all has to do with blood flow. When aroused, the brain sends signals to the nerve receptors in the body that increase blood flow to the penis which results in the pressure necessary to make it firm. The penis will remain hard and erect until either ejaculation occurs or arousal stops. So with this physiological effect in mind, it stands to reason that if a man has an erectile issue, circulation or other blood flow problems could be to blame.
Heart Disease
Heart disease tops the list for the leading causes of death for both sexes, and new research reveals that erectile dysfunction could be an early indicator of this condition in men. Over a four-year period, researchers studied the link between ED and heart health in nearly 2,000 American men between the ages of 60 to 78. What they found was that ED alone put the study participants at double the risk of heart problems, including heart attack, stroke, sudden cardiac death and cardiac arrest.
[See: 17 Ways Heart Health Varies in Women and Men.]
High Blood Pressure
According to multiple studies, many men with high blood pressure who were between the ages of 40 to 79 also suffered from erectile dysfunction. Even though by name alone it sounds like it should help, not hurt, an erection, high blood pressure prevents the arteries that carry blood to the penis from expanding the way they’re intended to. This causes a lack of blood flow to the penis and stops it from becoming erect. In addition to this lack of blood flow is the fact that men who have high blood pressure can experience a lower level of the male hormone testosterone, which is largely responsible for libido and sexual arousal. And another whammy in the high blood pressure-ED equation is medication. Sometimes, the drugs (like diuretics and beta-blockers) that are prescribed to treat high blood pressure can actually cause erectile dysfunction as a side-effect. Plus, smoking — one of the chief causes of high blood pressure — can also lead to ED.
Diabetes
Erectile dysfunction is common in men who have Type 2 diabetes, especially for those who have sustained nerve and/or blood vessel damage as a result of long-term poor blood sugar control. One of the signs that diabetes may be to blame for a man’s ED experience is the age of onset. ED tends to occur earlier in men with diabetes than in those who don’t have the disease. In fact, sometimes a visit to the doctor for ED can lead to a diabetes diagnosis the man previously didn’t know he had. Erectile dysfunction studies suggest that the prevalence of impotence in men with diabetes can range from 35 to 75 percent vs. 26 percent in the male population that doesn’t suffer from diabetes.
Erectile dysfunction can be difficult for men to discuss, even with health care providers. If you or someone you care about is suffering from the condition, it’s important to have it evaluated by a trusted physician. The sooner you get to the bottom of what’s causing the problem, the sooner it can be solved and you can return to an intimate life you enjoy.
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What Erectile Dysfunction Might Be Trying to Tell You originally appeared on usnews.com
