Erectile dysfunction is also called impotence or ED

ED is the inability to attain or maintain an erection of the penis that is firm enough for penetration during sexual intercourse. To initiate and maintain an erection, the penis must fill with blood. Nerve signals stimulate this engorgement. They prompt the blood vessels in the penis to expand so blood can fill it. Meanwhile, other blood vessels constrict, trapping blood inside.

When a man cannot attain or maintain an erection suitably for sexual intercourse, it is usually an inconvenience, particularly if he and his partner are trying to conceive. Erectile Dysfunction, also known as impotence, is a form of sexual dysfunction that is present in about 20 to 25 per cent of infertile couples. It can cause infertility or even worsen it when diagnosed.

Sexual impotence has psychological roots with anxiety, depression and stress. Sexual arousal depends on an intricate interplay of psychological, neural, vascular, and endocrine factors. Hormonal imbalance can also lead to ED. The inability to achieve pregnancy could be due to sperm production that is below par or due to poor sperm motility. Both impotence and infertility have a negative impact on intimate relationships, quality of life and self-esteem.Erectile Dysfunction is an inability to get an erection that is good enough to achieve intercourse. The severity of erectile dysfunction can vary from complete lack of erection, to a partial erection that is not enough for penetration or is lost soon after penetration. Although ED is typically more common among older men, it can occur at any age.

Erectile Dysfunction can be treated at any age; however, the occurrence is increasingly common with ageing, but should not be considered a natural part of ageing. In older men, there may be physical or medical conditions that contribute to ED, including a variety of diseases, physical injury or side effects from prescription medications. Psychological factors and certain life choices such as smoking, obesity, stress, anxiety, guilt and fear of poor sexual performance can all contribute to ED.

When ED is physical, the tendency is there to have weak erections during masturbation or decreased frequency of morning erections. Men may be at higher risk for cardiac issues if their ED medication gradually stops working or if the ED has been a problem for a number of years. Presence of other cardiac risk factors such as diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol is helpful for diagnosis.

While the risk factors are typically associated with older men, ED is often the only cardiac risk factor in younger men and can be devastating to men regardless of their age and so should always be taken seriously. It helps to understand how an erection works. Sexual stimulation delivers extra blood to the penis through the arteries, causing an erection.