In this post, we examine erectile dysfunction (ED) and shed some light on this condition that affects more men of more ages than you might think.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) among males is far more common than most people understand, according to a June 27th article in The New York Times. Figures presented by the National Institutes for Health suggest that more than half of all men above the age of 40 will experience minimal, moderate, or complete erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives.
So, if you are experiencing ED, even just occasionally, you are not alone, though it may often feel that way. The reality is that today, there are a wide variety of therapies to treat ED, including prescription drugs like Viagra and Cialis, that are now available in far more affordable generic forms and can even be delivered directly to your home with complete discretion.
Even so, it remains difficult for so many men suffering from erectile problems to ask for help. A national survey of more than 1,500 U.S. males that was conducted in 2022 (not very long ago) and commissioned by Men’s Health magazine in partnership with the Hearst media company found that only about 35% of the men surveyed described their sexual health as very good or excellent and only about 42% described their mental state as very good or excellent.
At the same time, these same men reported that they didn’t know about ways to remedy the situation, with 53% of the sexually active men in the study stating that they were unsure of ways to improve their sexual health. It’s important to point out that this uncertainty may very well be a reflection that many men are unwilling or hesitant to explore sexual health options out of embarrassment or fear, however irrational it may be given the number of men suffering from sexual issues.
Cited in the New York Times piece, Dr. Mohit Khera, a urologist and the president of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, summed up his views on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction quite definitively, stating, “There is not a medical condition that I’m aware of that affects more men’s lives.”
What Causes ED?
Dr. Rachel Rubin, a urologist cited in the New York Times, suggests that in males, penile function can often serve as an indicator of overall health.
The fact is ED is often a symptom of other health concerns. When men become aroused, the brain releases chemicals that cause the muscles of the penis to relax and increase blood flow to the organ, which is how men get an erection.
Failure to get hard might be a warning sign of a related complication. For example, clogged arteries and hypertension (high blood pressure) can reduce circulation, which can cause ED. Other causes might include the onset of diseases, such as Parkinson’s and cardiovascular disease, or even specific surgical procedures or medical therapies that can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Sometimes, the root of ED, particularly when it is experienced in younger men, could be mainly in the head. Performance anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and other mental health or emotional issues can contribute to difficulties getting hard enough for penetration.
Is There A Cure For ED?
Whether ED is curable is debatable, but there are several different ways a doctor might treat erectile dysfunction. These include popular medications, such as Viagra® and Cialis®, which are both now available in generic forms, such as sildenafil and tadalafil, respectively. These medications are usually the first option doctors will recommend, and both work in essentially the same way – by relaxing muscles and dilating blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow to the penis and helping a male achieve an erection firm enough for sex. These medications are often the first medical solution for ED, and the good news is that they work in about two-thirds of all males who try them, whether suffering from a physical cause of ED or a mental one.
But what about the one-third of men who do not respond to ED meds?
Other ED Treatments
Other treatments for ED can be considered should oral medications fail to do the trick. These include penile vacuum devices, more commonly referred to as penis pumps, which can be very effective in delivering an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis. A ring is then placed at the base of the penis to prevent blood from escaping, which helps keep it engorged enough for intercourse.
Penile injections are another treatment, but obviously, this one is a bit more invasive. It involves injecting certain drugs directly into the penis 5 to 20 minutes before sexual activity, which induces erections by increasing blood flow. Penile injections are first done at a physician’s office, but before long, men can self-inject.
Men who suffer from low testosterone (low T) can also experience ED. Supplemental testosterone can help with this problem and has even been shown to make oral medications for ED more effective. Finally, there are penile implants, which have been around since the 1970s, with much more advanced implants being available today. Implants use inflatable tubes that are surgically implanted into the penis and fill with fluid by way of a pump device that is injected into the scrotum. This same pump releases the fluid when sexual activity ends.
Lifestyle Modifications Can Help With ED
Here’s a very important thing to remember about ED. Heart disease is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction. Experiencing ED can be a warning sign that things aren’t so great with your cardiovascular system. ED can also be a precursor to diabetes, high blood pressure, and other severe medical conditions.
If you are overweight, don’t eat a healthy diet, don’t exercise regularly, use alcohol or drugs excessively, or smoke tobacco and are experiencing ED. First, and most importantly, it’s a good time to see your doctor because you may face other health issues. Second, even if you’re not, a few lifestyle modifications will likely go a long way to helping combat those problems in the bedroom.
Dr. Khera led a 2023 analytical review that found aerobic exercise was as effective in treating ED as oral medications. As he puts it, “There’s not a pill on the planet that is stronger than diet and exercise.”
FAQs
How many men have erectile dysfunction?
A recent study suggests that more than half of all men over the age of 40 will experience some form of erectile dysfunction in their lives. The good news is that there are effective options to treat erectile dysfunction, including oral medications like sildenafil and tadalafil. Unfortunately, many men fail to address ED, and the condition tends to worsen without treatment.
What are treatments for ED?
The most common treatments are oral medications prescribed by a licensed physician. These medications are effective at helping two-thirds of the men treated with them. If medications do not work, other options are available, including penile pumps, penile injections, and testosterone therapy.
Is treating ED expensive?
Because ED is usually not covered by insurance, it was once very costly. However, today, the two most popularly prescribed medications, Viagra and Cialis, are both available in generic forms that cost monumentally less than their branded counterparts. For example, a single pill of Viagra can cost up to $60, while the generic form of the drug, sildenafil, is available at MedSuite.com for as little as $1 per pill.
MediSuite is committed to men’s healthcare by providing doctor-prescribed medications at affordable prices delivered directly and discreetly to your door.