How is your sex life? Sexual life is one of the factors that directly affect the quality of life and longevity. World Health Organization studies and surveys show that there is a close relationship between a healthy sex life and a person’s overall health, which is true for men, and it is an important part of keeping men physically and mentally healthy. Unfortunately, the quality of our regular sex life. While a number of health issues can cause erectile dysfunction, there are still ways to address it. In fact, erectile dysfunction can be treated by visiting a regular hospital, where your doctor will explain your condition in detail and also provide you with the best treatment plan. Structure of the penis: Erection is mainly related to the two penile corpus cavernosum and the nerves, arteries and veins that distribute them. What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction, commonly referred to as “impotence”, is a condition and a symptom that means a man is unable to achieve or maintain the level of erection needed for satisfactory sexual activity. Men may occasionally face erectile dysfunction during their lifetime, but for some men, the problem may occur from time to time. In this country alone, more than 100 million men suffer from erectile function. Under what conditions does the penis become erect? An erection first requires the brain to receive appropriate sexual stimulation, and then the nerves, blood vessels, and testosterone begin to work in concert. When a man is sexually stimulated, the arteries within the penis relax and expand, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. As the arteries within the penis expand until the penis stiffens, the veins responsible for exporting blood out of the penis are then squeezed, reducing the flow of blood out of the penis. In this way, as more blood enters the penis than flows out, the penis enlarges and then maintains an erect state. 1.Weak state: When there is no sexual excitement, the blood flow enters the cavernous body of the penis through the arteries and then returns through the veins, so the penis is in a weak state. 2.Expansion state: When stimulated by audio-visual or sexual fantasy, more and more blood starts to flow to the penis, and the penis starts to expand and harden, but it is not hard enough to start sexual intercourse. 3.Erection state: When the penis is filled with more and more blood, the tissue compresses the veins so that the blood cannot flow back, the blood fills up in the penis spongy body, and the penis is firm to reach the hardness of intercourse. What causes erectile dysfunction? Men with erectile dysfunction have abnormal penile erection chemistry, where the arteries cannot expand sufficiently and the penis cannot fill with blood. It used to be thought that erectile dysfunction was primarily a psychological problem or an inevitable part of the aging process. However, we now know that in most men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, personal health is closely related to the occurrence of erectile dysfunction. Only when your body’s blood flow, testosterone levels, nerve conduction and brain excitement are normal, the penis can erect, and any problem in this reaction chain may lead to erectile dysfunction. 1, blood flow reasons: such as too little blood flow in the penis, such as arterial blockage, or fibrosis in the cavernous body, the blood inflow is slow, the penis can not erect; diabetes, smoking, taking certain drugs, or pelvic radiotherapy, etc. can also lead to its hemodynamic changes. Testosterone level: Testosterone is an important androgen for men, if testosterone level is low, sexual excitement is slow to start, thyroid or pituitary gland lesions and testicular insufficiency can lead to a decrease in testosterone level, blood tests can detect your body’s testosterone level. 3, psychological reaction: fatigue, depression, anxiety and depression can make the brain excitability decline, resulting in attention shifting, their own sex appeal is reduced. 4, the impact of the nervous system: sexual stimulation signals can be transmitted to the brain through the nervous system, spinal cord injury, diabetes uncontrolled blood sugar or pelvic surgery (such as rectal, prostate, bladder surgery) may damage the nerve pathways, thus affecting erectile function. In general, erectile dysfunction can be divided into three types from etiology: organic, psychogenic and mixed. 1. Organic – caused by abnormalities or damage to blood vessels, nerves, sex hormone levels, or the penile corpus cavernosum itself. Characterized by a slow onset and clinically significant contributing factors. Most patients do not have penile erection when they wake up in the morning. 2. Psychogenic – caused by purely psychological factors, such as high economic pressure in life or marital discord. It is characterized by sudden onset, young age of the patient, and normal erection in the morning when waking up or under other conditions. 3, mixed – the patient is mainly organic, accompanied by the influence of psychological factors, resulting in erectile dysfunction. Age and erectile dysfunction: 1. Men in their 20s do not need much stimulation to get an erection, have a rapid erection, and can start a second erection quickly after orgasm. 2. Men in their 40s need longer stimulation and caresses before erection, usually several minutes, and the time interval between orgasm and second erection is longer than in younger men. 3.Men around 60 years old do not easily get an erection, it takes more time to get an erection, and there are difficulties in maintaining an erection. 4.Men around 80 years old can enjoy sexual pleasure when their health permits, but they do not always achieve orgasm after erection and the sexual pleasure during orgasm is much less than before. Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction: Diabetes is known to be one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction. As many as three out of five men with diabetes will have varying degrees of erectile dysfunction. Penile erection depends on two factors. One is adequate blood flow to the penis, and the other is local nerve stimulation. Diabetes causes lesions in the blood vessels, reducing the flow of blood to the penis; diabetes causes loss of sensation in the nerves near the penis, limiting the nerve endings that contribute to the stimulation response to an erection. Men with type I diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes) generally have the disease for a longer period of time and can develop erectile dysfunction early in life. In contrast, men with type II diabetes (insulin non-dependent diabetes) tend to develop the disease later in adulthood and develop erectile dysfunction later. When diabetes is not properly controlled, it can lead to transient erectile dysfunction until it is corrected by medication or diet. In addition, there are men who have had diabetes for many years and develop irreversible erectile dysfunction, although these patients are also treatable. Heart disease and erectile dysfunction: If you have heart disease or other cardiovascular disease, the function of the arteries that carry blood to the body’s organs may be affected, and without an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients, these organs may be damaged and their function diminished. Because erections depend on adequate blood flow to the penis, any disease that affects the blood vessels may be associated with the development of erectile dysfunction. It is estimated that four out of five men with cardiovascular disease have experienced or are experiencing erectile dysfunction; three out of five men with heart disease have suffered from erectile dysfunction; and about half of men who have undergone heart bypass surgery also face this problem. Cardiovascular drugs and erectile dysfunction: According to one study, 28% of men taking cardiovascular drugs experience erectile dysfunction. Diuretics and beta blockers have the highest chance of erectile dysfunction. When men experience erectile dysfunction as a result of taking cardiovascular medications, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible. Most patients can change the type of medication without delaying the treatment of the disease and will improve their erections. Certain antihypertensive drugs have been shown to cause erectile dysfunction. When a man has erectile problems because he is being treated for high blood pressure, his doctor may be able to adjust your medication so that the same efficacy is maintained while also improving erectile function. High blood pressure and erectile dysfunction: Often compared to the “silent disease,” high blood pressure can cause a variety of health problems in the absence of symptoms. One of these is erectile dysfunction. Not only does high blood pressure increase the load on the heart, it can also increase the unnecessary burden on the blood vessels, causing them to harden and constrict. In this case, the arteries are unable to carry the amount of blood needed for organs such as the penis, causing damage to these organs and diminishing their function. Prostate disease and erectile dysfunction: Men should be well prepared when deciding to have prostate surgery. Surgery can solve important health problems caused by prostate disease, but after surgery, they may have to face another new problem in their lives – erectile dysfunction. The most common procedure used to treat BPH is removal of the prostate through the urethra, while radical prostatectomy is often used for prostate cancer. Erectile dysfunction is the most common side effect of both surgeries. Since penile erection depends on healthy nerves and blood vessels, surgery or trauma that affects the nervous or vascular system associated with the penis is associated with the development of erectile dysfunction. It is estimated that up to 57% of men who have ever undergone surgery for prostate cancer have problems with erectile dysfunction. Most patients with erectile dysfunction are also treatable, whether or not it is related to surgical trauma or therapeutic drugs. Spinal cord injury and erectile dysfunction: Spinal cord injury can affect the function of many systems in the body, and sexual function is often involved. Many men with severe spinal cord damage have a troubled sex life and are unable to enjoy it. Erections depend on healthy nerves and blood vessels, and for patients with spinal cord injuries, the degree of erectile dysfunction is related to the severity of the trauma and the location of the spinal cord injury. In general, patients with severe trauma to the lower spinal cord have a higher chance of developing erectile dysfunction than those with upper spinal cord injuries. Although only one of the four patients with spinal cord trauma had a level of erection that allowed for sexual intercourse, most patients could regain sexual function with treatment. Depression and erectile dysfunction: Depression can take all the fun out of life, affecting not only one’s mood, but also one’s physical condition. Many men who have been treated for depression have been found to suffer from erectile dysfunction. For depressed patients, erectile dysfunction can be caused by either psychological or physical factors, or both. Erectile dysfunction had exacerbated feelings of depression in most men, causing them to lose self-esteem, have a low self-image, feel anxious, and at the same time become strained in their relationship with their spouse. These worsening emotions can make it more difficult to get an erection. A study showed that 25% to 90% of depressed men may have varying degrees of erectile dysfunction, and the cause of depression-induced erectile dysfunction is not yet known. However, most of these patients are treatable. Of course, the side effects of certain antidepressants have also been shown to cause erectile dysfunction. Lifestyle habits and erectile dysfunction: Certain lifestyle habits may contribute to erectile dysfunction. Changing or quitting these bad habits will help improve one’s health and quality of sexual life. 1, smoking: In addition to causing cancer, emphysema and other diseases, smoking can also seriously affect blood circulation. A study showed that men with high blood pressure and / or other health risk factors smokers, the chance of serious erectile dysfunction than non-smokers twice as high. 2, alcohol abuse: alcohol should be consumed in moderation and should not exceed two glasses a day. Alcohol has a calming effect on the nervous system, so it may affect the ability of the penis to erect. Therefore, some people say: “alcohol increases sexual desire, but reduces sexual function. 3, taking prohibited drugs: smoking marijuana and heroin and other prohibited drugs can not only cause numerous health risks, but also lead to erectile dysfunction. 4, stress: stress and anxiety can affect the erotic response. Try to find ways to help relieve stress, such as exercise, yoga, gardening and dancing. Of course, if you are unable to relieve your stress, you can seek treatment from a psychologist. Effects of erectile dysfunction on partners: The negative effects of erectile dysfunction on a man’s mood can seriously affect the relationship with his partner. Research studies have shown that erectile dysfunction can be associated with depression, loss of self-esteem and a low self-image. You may think that erectile dysfunction is part of the natural aging process, or that loss of sexual desire is a normal part of life, or that your partner doesn’t find you as attractive as he once did. However, erectile dysfunction is an important part of physical health, not an inevitable part of getting older, and it is treatable. Proper treatment can begin with the patient’s partner. Without the encouragement, support, care and love of a partner, and the determination to seek a solution, many men may not actively seek treatment. It is important for men to understand that erectile dysfunction is a health issue, not a matter of manhood. A harmonious and fulfilling sex life is equally important for both men and women. Once erectile dysfunction occurs, both partners must work together to find treatment and solve the problem. Put down the burden and take the initiative to seek help: Most patients with erectile dysfunction are treatable, regardless of their age, the cause of the erectile dysfunction or how long they have had the condition. First, you need to go to a regular hospital and ask your doctor for advice. Remember, this is not something to be embarrassed about. Your doctor will understand and support you, while maintaining your confidentiality. Most erectile dysfunction is related to common chronic conditions. Maintaining communication with your partner can maintain intimacy and make emotional encouragement. Many men find that their partners are willing to participate in the treatment of erectile problems in order to share the intimacy of sex again. Seeking appropriate treatment with your doctor and partner to manage chronic disease and erectile dysfunction will allow you to enjoy life again, spend romantic time with your partner, nurture sweet feelings, build a stronger relationship and make the most of life.