Impotence or erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection and / or dissatisfaction with the size, rigidity and / or duration of erections. Erectile dysfunction affects millions of men.
Although usually thought to be due to psychological problems, it is now known that 80 to 90 percent of impotence cases are caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply to the penis. There have been many advances in diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.
What are the risk factors for erectile dysfunction?
According to the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health), erectile dysfunction is also a symptom of many disorders and diseases.
Among the direct risk factors for erectile dysfunction may include the following:
- Prostate Problems
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Hypogonadism associated with various endocrine diseases
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Vascular disease and vascular surgery
- High levels of blood cholesterol
- Low levels of high density lipoproteins.
- Drugs.
- Neurogenic disorders.
- Peyronie’s disease (distortion or curvature of the penis).
- Priapism (inflammation of the penis).
- Depression.
- The consumption of alcohol.
- The lack of sex education.
- Poor sexual techniques.
- Inadequate interpersonal relationships.
- Many chronic diseases, especially renal failure and dialysis.
- Smoking, which accentuates the effects of other risk factors such as vascular disease or hypertension.
Age appears to be an important risk factor and indirect, because it is associated with increased likelihood of direct risk factors, some of which are listed above.
It is estimated that about 5 percent of men become impotent by the age of 40 and 15 to 25 percent before 65 years of age. Accurate identification of risk factors and characterization are essential for prevention or treatment of erectile dysfunction.
What are the different types (and causes) of ED?
Here are some of the different types of impotence and its possible causes:
Premature ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is the inability to maintain an erection long enough for mutual satisfaction. Premature ejaculation is divided into primary and secondary schools:
Primary premature ejaculation
Primary premature ejaculation is a behavior that man learns at the start of sexual activity. Like any learned behavior, it can be modified. This form of primary PE is called psychogenic impotence (as opposed to organic or physical). (Congenital venous leak is a subset of primary PE, caused by a congenital venous leak in which the venous drainage system of the penis does not close properly.)
Secondary premature ejaculation
Secondary premature ejaculation occurs when, after many years of normal ejaculation, the duration of intercourse grows progressively shorter. Secondary PE is due to physical causes, usually involving the penile arteries or veins or both.
Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety is a common form of psychogenic impotence, usually caused by stress or anxiety.
Depression
Depression is another cause of psychogenic impotence. Some antidepressant medications cause erectile dysfunction.
