When a man has trouble getting or maintaining an erection, it’s called impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED). Regardless of age, it is never regarded as a typical finding among those who have penises.
Although the risk of ED rises with age, being older itself is not the root cause of erectile dysfunction. Actually, the root of the issue lies elsewhere. There are a number of potential causes of ED, including certain diseases, drugs, trauma, and environmental factors.
To find out which treatment option is right for you, schedule a comprehensive consultation with a Brooklyn urologist.
Can you explain what occurs if I have erectile dysfunction?
The inability to attain or maintain an erection is the hallmark sign of erectile dysfunction (ED). Fortunately, this is usually only a transitory situation. However, if you have ED and struggle to keep an erection going during sexual activity, it can have a detrimental impact on your sex life.
If you feel you aren’t fulfilling your partner’s needs, you may have psychological problems. Feelings of despair or poor self-esteem are possible. They might aggravate the distress caused by ED symptoms.
Sometimes, ED is the result of something more serious, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. This condition’s symptoms may overlap with those of ED.
Problems with sustaining an erection can have several root causes.
Physical or psychological factors will contribute to ED for everyone who has a penis at some point in their lives (or sometimes both).
Normal ED causes include:
- drinking excessively
- stress
- fatigue
- anxiety
People of any age who have a penis can suffer from ED. Nonetheless, middle-aged and elderly people are more likely to experience it. For older men, erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of stress, according to the research.
Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of ED in older men. Plaque accumulation in the arteries is the root cause of this problem. It restricts blood flow to the rest of the body, which can lead to other health problems including ED due to a lack of blood reaching the penis.
Since atherosclerosis is a known risk factor for ED, it may serve as an early warning sign in penis-bearing men.
There are also physical factors associated with ED in old age, such as:
- diabetes
- obesity
- difficulties with the thyroid
- Kidney problems
- Disturbances in sleep quality
- Injury to the blood vessels
- Disruption of the Nervous System
- increased blood pressure
- bad cholesterol levels
- reduced sperm count
- injuries to the pelvis or the spine
- Passive smoking
- alcoholism
- some prescribed drugs, including antidepressants and laxatives