How do I know if I’m dealing with erectile dysfunction?

Most men at some unwelcomed point in their sexual history will have problems getting and maintaining an erection. Things are going along smoothly and then bam, out of the blue, you have a bad night in the bedroom. Despite being turned on, things don’t seem to be working down there. Rightly so, you feel devastated. You’re embarrassed, worried and wondering, do I have erectile dysfunction (ED)?

What makes a penis erect?

Since puberty, you’ve been getting erections but what do you know about the physiological process necessary to achieve this feat? To get your penis rock hard for sexual intercourse, it’s a complicated process.

The penis has two chambers inside it called the corpora cavernosa.  These chambers extend from the head of the penis deep into the pelvis. If you could look inside these chambers, you would see spongy tissue having the ability to stretch in size whenever they fill up with blood. When you are not sexually stimulated, the arteries supplying blood to your penis are only partially open.  Blood flow is always being supplied to this area but mainly to keep the tissue healthy.

But, when sexually aroused, magic happens. Whether physically or mentally stimulated, your brain sends signals triggering a hormonal response allowing those same arteries to open up completely.  Wide-open arteries allow more blood to fill the corpora cavernosa. As blood flows in, its entering faster than it can leave through the veins which get compressed, trapping blood in the penis. Thanks to this chain reaction, this is the physics behind why you can achieve and maintain an erection. Once you have reached orgasm or you are no longer sexually aroused, your arteries go back to normal and your penis also returns to its normal flaccid state.

Signs and possible causes of erectile dysfunction

One bad night of not being able to perform is not necessarily a sign you will continue to have performance problems or ED. However, if one bad night turns into two, three, or more, even one bad experience can lead to future performance anxiety.

The most important part of understanding if you have true ED is to figure out the root cause. There can be several reasons:

– a hormonal problem,

– a vascular or neurological issue,

– psychological factors

Or it could be a combination of many different things. The key is to diagnose and treat ED by piecing together the contributing factors.

Mental health also plays as much a part of your sexual ability as your physical health. Stress or other mental issues can cause or make achieving an erection more difficult. Even minor health problems may slow your sexual response shutting down your love life.

If you are experiencing occasional or intermittent ED, you may not necessarily have this problem.  However, if the following symptoms have become persistent, then it may indicate ED:

• Reduced desire for sex
• Inability to achieve an erection
• Inability to maintain an erection

My ED is happening again and again, what do I do?

If you suffer from ED, there is help.

Your first step is to make an appointment with a urologist. Urologists specialize in sexual health and are trained in diagnosing the cause of ED, finding solutions, and offering reassurance.

There’s a multitude of misconceptions around ED.  Many men blame psychological problems for their persistent ED, but studies have found only a small percentage of men with this issue relates back to this factor.

What men should be reassured of is that ED is not a natural part of getting older and is not considered normal. And yet, 1 in 4 men will experience ED over the course of their life.  In fact, it’s estimated that 9% to 40% of men by age 40 will have had an episode of ED.

Once it is determined the cause(s) of your ED, a treatment plan can be developed.  There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for every man and usually, it’s a multi-pronged approach that works best. Working with your doctor and following their treatment plan will be your best bet for more sexual satisfaction. Here are examples of possible treatments for men with ED:

• Lifestyle modifications – Lose weight, exercise regularly, manage your medical conditions, stop smoking, and avoid alcohol and illicit drugs.
• Counseling – Seek treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. If you’re having relationship issues, consider couples counseling.
• Prescription medications – If needed, your doctor may prescribe oral medications such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra.
• Other medications – Your doctor may recommend Alprostadil self-injection, Alprostadil urethral suppository, or testosterone replacement as possible treatments for ED.
• Physical treatments – Nonmedicinal treatments include penis pumps or penile implants. However, these are more of a last resort if more conservative treatments have failed.