What is Erectile Dysfunction?
ED occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to the penis. This means that a man can have trouble getting and keeping an erection long enough to have sex. It may happen only once in a while, or more often.
What are types of Erection?
Erection can be classified in the following 4 grades:
GRADE 1 - Penis is larger, but not hard
GRADE 2 - Penis is hard, but not hard enough for penetration
GRADE 3 - Penis is hard enough for penetration, but not completely hard.
GRADE 4 - Penis is completely hard and fully rigid.
What causes an Erection?
Usually when a man is sexually excited:
1. The brain sends an impulse to the penis telling the penis to relax. This is caused by physical or mental stimulation.
2. The arteries in the penis respond and widen. This allows more blood to flow into the penis.
3. The arteries expand and then harden.
4. The veins that carry blood away from the penis get compressed. This restricts the blood flow out of the penis.
5. More blood flows in. And less flows out. This makes the penis larger and causes an erection.
What is the physiology of Erection?
The physiological process of erection begins in the brain and involves the nervous and vascular systems. Physical or psychological stimulation (arousal) causes nerves to send messages to the vascular system, which results in significant blood flow to the penis. Because blood must stay in the penis to maintain rigidity, erectile tissue is enclosed by fibrous elastic sheaths (tunicae) that cinch to prevent blood from leaving the penis during erection. When stimulation ends, or following ejaculation, pressure in the penis decreases, blood is released, and the penis resumes its normal shape.
What causes Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
ED can happen at any age. There are many other factors which may lead to ED.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, like those that produce erections. When this occurs, diabetes often leads to erection difficulties.
Prostate Problem
The prostate is a small gland near your bladder. It is in proximity to the nerves that are involved for erections. That's why certain surgeries for prostate problems can lead to ED.
Depression
For men with depression, the cause of ED may be psychological, physical, or both. ED can lower self-esteem and put a strain on your relationship with your partner. What's more, certain medicines that treat depression can also cause ED.
Spinal Injury
An injury to the spine can affect almost every function in the body. For men with spinal injuries, ED is the most common sexual problem.
Does certain medication cause ED?
There are many medicines that can cause ED. Some of the most common are: Certain blood pressure-lowering medicines, some heart condition medicines, some cancer medicines and certain medicines for depression.
StressStress and anxiety can affect your ability to get an erection. However, these factors are often not the primary cause of ED. It's more likely to be a physical problem. When a physical problem causes erection difficulty, men become more anxious about sex. This can increase the severity of ED.
Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can lead to ED. The good thing is, these are factors you can control. If you smoke, you should consider stopping. Smoking can cause cancer, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other illnesses. It can also cause damage to blood vessels. This may prevent blood flow to the penis. For men with other ED risk factors, smoking doubles their chances of having ED.
Diagnosis
A medical examination may indicate neurological, vascular, hormonal disease, or Peyronie's disease. History of illness, smoking, drug use and hypertension can be ascertained with a thorough examination of health history. Laboratory tests are performed to identify the underlying cause.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is also called coronary artery disease. For a person with heart disease, blood does not flow as easily as it should throughout the body. That's because the arteries are clogged or narrowed. This may prevent blood from getting to the penis. The result can be less rigid erections.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can clog your arteries. As a result, it can affect your sexual health.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder. This puts strain on the blood vessels. The blood vessels may harden and narrow. This can prevent blood from getting to the penis. It can also make it more difficult to get an erection.
Erectile Function Tests
Tests that assess erectile function examine the blood vessels, nerves, muscles and other tissues of the penis and pelvic region. Ultrasound: Ultrasound is used to evaluate blood flow, venous leak, signs of artherosclerosis and scarring or calcification of erectile tissue. Ultrasound is then used to see vascular dilation and measure penile blood pressure (which may also be measured with a special cuff). Measurements are compared to those taken when the penis is flaccid.
Prostate Examination
An enlarged prostate can interfere with blood flow and nerve impulses in the penis. Penile nerve function tests such as the bulbocavernosus reflex test are used to determine if there is sufficient nerve sensation in the penis.
A physician measures the latency between squeeze and contraction by observing the anal sphincter or by feeling it with a gloved finger inserted past the anus
ED occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to the penis. This means that a man can have trouble getting and keeping an erection long enough to have sex. It may happen only once in a while, or more often.
What are types of Erection?
Erection can be classified in the following 4 grades:
GRADE 1 - Penis is larger, but not hard
GRADE 2 - Penis is hard, but not hard enough for penetration
GRADE 3 - Penis is hard enough for penetration, but not completely hard.
GRADE 4 - Penis is completely hard and fully rigid.
What causes an Erection?
Usually when a man is sexually excited:
1. The brain sends an impulse to the penis telling the penis to relax. This is caused by physical or mental stimulation.
2. The arteries in the penis respond and widen. This allows more blood to flow into the penis.
3. The arteries expand and then harden.
4. The veins that carry blood away from the penis get compressed. This restricts the blood flow out of the penis.
5. More blood flows in. And less flows out. This makes the penis larger and causes an erection.
What is the physiology of Erection?
The physiological process of erection begins in the brain and involves the nervous and vascular systems. Physical or psychological stimulation (arousal) causes nerves to send messages to the vascular system, which results in significant blood flow to the penis. Because blood must stay in the penis to maintain rigidity, erectile tissue is enclosed by fibrous elastic sheaths (tunicae) that cinch to prevent blood from leaving the penis during erection. When stimulation ends, or following ejaculation, pressure in the penis decreases, blood is released, and the penis resumes its normal shape.
What causes Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
ED can happen at any age. There are many other factors which may lead to ED.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, like those that produce erections. When this occurs, diabetes often leads to erection difficulties.
Prostate Problem
The prostate is a small gland near your bladder. It is in proximity to the nerves that are involved for erections. That's why certain surgeries for prostate problems can lead to ED.
Depression
For men with depression, the cause of ED may be psychological, physical, or both. ED can lower self-esteem and put a strain on your relationship with your partner. What's more, certain medicines that treat depression can also cause ED.
Spinal Injury
An injury to the spine can affect almost every function in the body. For men with spinal injuries, ED is the most common sexual problem.
Does certain medication cause ED?
There are many medicines that can cause ED. Some of the most common are: Certain blood pressure-lowering medicines, some heart condition medicines, some cancer medicines and certain medicines for depression.
StressStress and anxiety can affect your ability to get an erection. However, these factors are often not the primary cause of ED. It's more likely to be a physical problem. When a physical problem causes erection difficulty, men become more anxious about sex. This can increase the severity of ED.
Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can lead to ED. The good thing is, these are factors you can control. If you smoke, you should consider stopping. Smoking can cause cancer, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other illnesses. It can also cause damage to blood vessels. This may prevent blood flow to the penis. For men with other ED risk factors, smoking doubles their chances of having ED.
Diagnosis
A medical examination may indicate neurological, vascular, hormonal disease, or Peyronie's disease. History of illness, smoking, drug use and hypertension can be ascertained with a thorough examination of health history. Laboratory tests are performed to identify the underlying cause.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is also called coronary artery disease. For a person with heart disease, blood does not flow as easily as it should throughout the body. That's because the arteries are clogged or narrowed. This may prevent blood from getting to the penis. The result can be less rigid erections.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol can clog your arteries. As a result, it can affect your sexual health.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder. This puts strain on the blood vessels. The blood vessels may harden and narrow. This can prevent blood from getting to the penis. It can also make it more difficult to get an erection.
Erectile Function Tests
Tests that assess erectile function examine the blood vessels, nerves, muscles and other tissues of the penis and pelvic region. Ultrasound: Ultrasound is used to evaluate blood flow, venous leak, signs of artherosclerosis and scarring or calcification of erectile tissue. Ultrasound is then used to see vascular dilation and measure penile blood pressure (which may also be measured with a special cuff). Measurements are compared to those taken when the penis is flaccid.
Prostate Examination
An enlarged prostate can interfere with blood flow and nerve impulses in the penis. Penile nerve function tests such as the bulbocavernosus reflex test are used to determine if there is sufficient nerve sensation in the penis.
A physician measures the latency between squeeze and contraction by observing the anal sphincter or by feeling it with a gloved finger inserted past the anus
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