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What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a men's sexual problem manifested in inability to achieve and maintain erection sufficient for the sexual intercourse. Men's suffering from erectile dysfunction aren't sterile, have normal sexual characters and posses the ability for orgasm and ejaculation like other healthy men.

The most of men can sometimes experience problems with achieving and maintaining erection. This may be related overstress, alcohol or smoking abuse or over-fatigue. However, if this problem becomes common, probably it is erectile dysfunction. Currently this disease affects more than 100 millions of men all over the world and nearly 30 millions of men in the USA. Clinical trials show that nearly 39% of men at experienced erectile dysfunction in their life in UK, Germany, France, Canada, Italy and Spain. Some American's investigations determined that nearly 52% of men ages from 40 to 70 suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Why does erectile dysfunction occur?

In order to understand why erectile dysfunction occurs, it is important to understand the mechanism of erection. When a men is sexually excitement, his brain sends impulses through the spinal cord to the nerve ends of the penis' cavernous tissue. The release of nitrogen oxide stimulates the cascade of chemical reactions leading to relaxation of the smooth muscles and increasing blood flow to the penis and decreasing blood outflow. All of this results in an erection. Insufficient relaxation of the blood vessels of the penis and decreased blood flow, may lead to lack or an incomplete erection.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

A lot of people consider that erectile dysfunction is an inevitable health problem in elderly age. However, clinical investigations showed that erectile dysfunction is caused by a group of psychological and physiological factors which may include: chronic diseases, diabetes, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol blood level, atherosclerosis of the blood vessels (especially in small pelvis). Kidney diseases, liver failure, thyroid gland diseases, hormonal disturbances can also result in erectile dysfunction. Men suffering from depression also report about frequent causes of erectile dysfunction. Surgeries and neurological disorders can also initiate ED.

In many cases erectile dysfunction is one of the main side effect of certain medications like antidepressants, diabetes drugs, anti-epileptic agents and others.

Life-style can also serve as one of the main causes of erectile dysfunction. Smoking, alcohol abuse, narcotics - all of these can significantly increase your chance for the development of ED.

What can I do if I have erectile dysfunction?

If you consider that you have erectile dysfunction, you should consult your doctor. Relying on your clinical picture, general health problem, concomitant diseases your doctor will make a diagnosis and indicate a corresponding treatment. Probably, you will have to pass some medical examinations, or undergo certain blood or urine tests.