Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is very common, particularly in men over the age of 40years. It is when you are either unable to get an erection or unable to keep an erection for long enough to have sex.

Overview

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve and sustain an erection long enough to have sex. You may achieve an erection, but not be able to sustain long enough to reach ejaculation. You may develop an erection that isn’t firm enough for sexual activity. Or you may just not be able to get it up at all.

While it’s a hugely frustrating condition, you’re not the only person to have erections affect their sex life. As many as 4.3 million men across the UK experience this common sexual dysfunction. Luckily, there is a range of treatments available to combat ED

It can usually be caused by stress, tiredness or drinking too much alcohol.

It can also be a side effect of some medication or caused by certain conditions such as:

·       High blood pressure or high cholesterol

·       Diabetes

·       Depression or anxiety

·       Hormone problems

There are many potential causes of erectile dysfunction – from underlying medical conditions to unhealthy lifestyle habits, from psychological causes to hormonal changes. Alcohol abuse and smoking affect your erections, too. Erections are the result of complex internal processes – and your sensitive parts are not immune to any wider health problems that you may have.

The most common causes of ED are in your vascular system. When blood can’t flow easily around the body – due to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or heart disease – enough of it won’t get to where it’s needed. As a result, you won’t be able to achieve a fully firm erection.

However, other causes originate elsewhere. Diabetes, for example, can cause ED, with rates among diabetics potentially as high as 75%. It is thought to be caused by nerve and blood vessel damage, the result of chronic issues with high blood sugar levels.

Meanwhile, men who watch a lot of porn are at risk, too. It’s known as porn-induced erectile dysfunction. It’s thought that pornography can give men unrealistic expectations of what sex is – influencing their ideas of intimacy, sexual performance, and their partners’ bodies. As a result, those who habitually satisfy themselves through porn can struggle to get aroused in real sexual encounters.

ED can also be caused by low testosterone, prostate cancer, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Peyronie’s disease. Meanwhile, relationship problems, abuse of recreational drugs, and mental health problems including low self esteem can also contribute.

ED can be treated in the short-term effectively, safely, and easily – in most cases, just by popping a pill. Treatments like Sildenafil and Tadalafil – the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis respectively – have been shown to be effective in over 80% of cases, and side effects of these drugs are very uncommon.

Both drugs are PDE5 inhibitors. They target the enzyme, phosphodiesterase 5, which is responsible for smooth muscle contraction in the blood vessels supplying your penis. By inhibiting this enzyme, blood flow is improved – increasing the chances of achieving and maintaining a full erection.

Improving your lifestyle – through exercise, a healthy diet, and a reduction in your intake of alcohol and cigarettes – can be a longer-term cure for ED too. Psychological causes can be treated through counselling (CBT), self-talking therapies, and psychosexual counselling. It might also help to engage in mindfulness and relaxation therapies.