How is your sex life? Sex life is one of the factors that directly affect the quality of life and longevity. Research studies by the World Health Organization have shown that there is a close relationship between a healthy sex life and a person’s overall health, and this is true for men; it is an important part of keeping them physically and mentally healthy. Unfortunately, the quality of our sex life on a regular basis. Although a number of health problems can cause erectile dysfunction, there are still solutions. As a matter of fact, erectile dysfunction can be treated, as long as you go to a regular hospital, your doctor will explain your condition in detail, and at the same time provide you with the best treatment plan. Structure of the penis: Penile erection is mainly related to the two penile corpus cavernosum and the nerves, arteries and veins distributed in them. What is Erectile Dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction, commonly known as “impotence”, is a condition and a symptom that means a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection to the degree required for satisfactory sexual intercourse. While men may face erectile dysfunction occasionally in their lifetime, for some men, the problem may be a recurring one. In this country alone, more than 100 million men suffer from erectile function. Under what circumstances 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 dilate, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. As the arteries within the penis dilate to the point where the penis hardens, the veins responsible for exporting blood out of the penis are squeezed, reducing the flow of blood out of the penis. Thus, as more blood enters the penis than leaves it, the penis enlarges and then maintains an erection. Weakness: In the absence of sexual arousal, blood flows through the arteries into the corpus cavernosum of the penis and then back through the veins, so the penis is in a weak state. Swollen state: When subjected to audio-visual stimulation or having sexual fantasies, more and more blood begins to flow to the penis, which begins to swell and harden, but it is not hard enough to begin sexual intercourse. Erectile state: when the penis is filled with more and more blood, the tissues compress the veins so that the blood can not return, the blood fills up in the cavernous body of the penis, the penis firms up to reach the hardness of sexual intercourse. What causes erectile dysfunction? Men with erectile dysfunction have an abnormal chemistry of penile erection, where the arteries are not able to dilate sufficiently and the penis is not able to fill with blood. It used to be thought that erectile dysfunction was mainly a psychological problem or an inevitable part of the aging process. But we now know that in most men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, personal health is closely linked to the development of erectile dysfunction. The penis can only become erect when blood flow, testosterone levels, nerve conduction and brain arousal are all normal in your body, and problems in any of the links in this chain of reactions can lead to erectile dysfunction. Blood flow: If the blood flow in the penis is too low, such as arterial blockage, or fibrosis in the corpus cavernosum, the blood inflow will be slow, and the penis will not be able to get erect; diabetes, smoking, taking certain medications, or pelvic radiotherapy can also lead to changes in its hemodynamics. Testosterone level: Testosterone is an important male androgen, if the level of testosterone is low, then sexual arousal will be slow to start, thyroid or pituitary gland lesions and testicular insufficiency can lead to testosterone level drop, blood test can detect the level of testosterone in your body. Psychological effects: Fatigue, depression, anxiety and depression can cause a decrease in brain excitement, leading to a shift in attention and a decrease in your own sexual attraction. Neurological effects: Sexual stimulation signals can be transmitted to the brain through the nervous system. Spinal cord injuries, uncontrolled diabetic blood sugar, or pelvic surgeries (e.g., rectal, prostate, and bladder surgeries) may damage the nerve pathways, which can affect erectile function. Overall, erectile dysfunction can still be categorized into three types in terms of etiology: organic, psychogenic and mixed. 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 precipitating factors. Most patients wake up in the morning with no penile erection. Psychogenic – caused by purely psychological factors, such as high life and economic pressure or marital disharmony. Characterized by sudden onset, the patient is young and can have a normal erection when waking up in the morning or in other situations. Mixed – the patient has a predominantly organic condition along with psychological factors that cause erectile dysfunction. Age and Erectile Dysfunction: Men in their 20’s have erections that do not require much stimulation, have rapid erections, and are able to start a second erection quickly after orgasm. Men in their 40s require a longer period of stimulation and caressing before erection, usually several minutes, and have a longer interval between orgasm and a second erection than younger men. Men in their 60s are less likely to have an erection, take more time to get one, and have difficulty maintaining it. Men around 80 years of age can enjoy sex as long as their health permits, but erections do not always lead to orgasm, and orgasm is much less pleasurable than it used to be. 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 experience some degree of erectile dysfunction. Penile erection depends on two factors. One is adequate blood flow to the penis and the other is localized nerve stimulation. Diabetes causes blood vessels to become diseased, reducing blood flow to the penis; diabetes causes the nerves near the penis to lose sensation, limiting the stimulation of nerve endings that contribute to an erection. Men with type I diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), which generally lasts longer, can develop erectile dysfunction at an early age. Men with type II diabetes (insulin-independent diabetes mellitus) tend to develop the disease in adulthood and develop erectile dysfunction later. When diabetes is not properly controlled, it can lead to transient erectile dysfunction until corrected by medication or diet. There are also some men who have had diabetes for many years and develop irreversible erectile dysfunction, although these patients are equally treatable. Heart Disease and Erectile Dysfunction: If you have heart disease or other cardiovascular conditions, the ability of your arteries to carry blood to the organs of your body may be compromised, and without an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients, these organs may become damaged and function less well. Since penile erection depends on adequate blood flow into the penis, any condition that affects the blood vessels may be linked to 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 all men who have had 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 consult a doctor as soon as possible. Most patients can change the type of medication without delaying the treatment of the disease and improve their erections. Certain antihypertensive drugs have been shown to cause erectile dysfunction. When a man develops erection problems as a result of being treated for high blood pressure, your 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 a “silent disease,” high blood pressure can cause a variety of health problems without symptoms. One of them is erectile dysfunction. High blood pressure not only increases the load on the heart, but it can also place an 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 by organs such as the penis, resulting in damage to and loss of function of these organs. Prostate Disease and Erectile Dysfunction: Men should be prepared when they decide to undergo prostate surgery. Surgery can resolve important health concerns due to prostate disease, but after the surgery, they may have to deal with another new life concern – erectile dysfunction. The most common surgery used to treat BPH is to remove the prostate via the urethra, while radical prostatectomy is mostly 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 has been linked to the development of erectile dysfunction. It is estimated that up to 57% of men who have ever undergone surgical treatment for prostate cancer have problems with erectile dysfunction. Most cases of erectile dysfunction are also treatable, whether or not they are related to the surgical trauma or the medications used to treat it. Spinal Cord Injury and Erectile Dysfunction: Spinal cord injuries affect the functioning 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. Penile erection depends 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 injury 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 trauma to the upper spinal cord. Although only one out of four patients with spinal cord trauma has an erection at a level that allows for sexual intercourse, most patients can regain sexual function with treatment. Depression and Erectile Dysfunction: Depression can take all the joy out of life, and it affects not only the mood of the individual, but also the physical condition. Many men who have been treated for depression find that they suffer from erectile dysfunction. In depressed patients, erectile dysfunction can be caused by psychological or physical factors, or both. Erectile dysfunction had exacerbated most men’s feelings of depression, causing them to lose self-esteem, have a low self-image, feel anxious, and at the same time have a strained relationship with their spouse. These worsening emotions can make penile erection even more difficult. One study showed that 25 to 90 percent of depressed men may have varying degrees of erectile dysfunction, and the cause of depression-induced erectile dysfunction is not yet known. But most of these patients can be treated. Of course, the side effects of certain antidepressants have also been shown to cause erectile dysfunction. Lifestyle habits and erectile dysfunction: Certain lifestyle habits have the potential to cause erectile dysfunction. Changing or quitting these bad habits will help improve one’s health and quality of sexual life. Smoking: In addition to causing cancer, emphysema and other diseases, smoking can seriously affect blood circulation. One study showed that male smokers with high blood pressure or other health risk factors were twice as likely to experience severe erectile dysfunction as non-smokers. Alcohol: Drinking alcohol should be done in moderation and should not exceed two drinks a day. Alcohol has a calming effect on the nervous system and therefore may affect the ability of the penis to become erect. Therefore, it has been said that “alcohol increases libido but decreases sexual function”. Taking illicit drugs: Smoking illicit drugs such as marijuana and heroin can not only cause a myriad of health risks, but can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Stress: Both stress and anxiety can affect 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 own 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 have a serious impact on his relationship with his partner. Research studies have shown that erectile dysfunction may be associated with depression, loss of self-esteem and low self-image. You may think that erectile dysfunction is part of the natural aging process, or that loss of libido is a normal part of life, or that your partner doesn’t find you as attractive as you once did. However, erectile dysfunction is an important part of your health, not an inevitable part of getting older, and it is treatable. Proper treatment can start with the patient’s partner first. Without the encouragement, support, care and love of a partner, and the determination to seek a solution, many men may not take the initiative to seek treatment. It is important for men to understand that erectile dysfunction is a health issue, not a matter of masculinity. A harmonious and fulfilling sex life is equally important for both men and women. Once erectile dysfunction occurs, both partners should work together to seek treatment and solve the problem. Put down the burden and take the initiative to seek help: regardless of the patient’s age, the cause of erectile dysfunction or how long he or she has been suffering from the disease, most patients with erectile dysfunction can be treated. First, you need to go to a regular hospital and ask your doctor for help. Remember, this is not something to be embarrassed about. Your doctor will understand and support you while keeping your confidentiality. Most erectile dysfunction is related to common chronic conditions. Maintaining communication with your partner can sustain intimacy and make emotional encouragement. Many men notice that their partners are very 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 your chronic condition and erectile dysfunction will allow you to enjoy life again, spend romantic time with your partner, cultivate sweet feelings, build a stronger relationship, and live life to the fullest.