Unfortunately, erection problems do not only affect men – they also can have an effect on a sexual relationship and even a spouse as well. “It’s very much individual case-to-case,” says Dr. Samir Melki, an assistant clinical professor at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Veterans Affairs New York Medical College in Manhattan. ED can be brought on by a variety of medical conditions including hormonal imbalances, a neurological restriction in the flow of blood in the penis or psychological causes like stress. In extreme cases, erection problems can lead to permanent damage to the body and emotional trauma.
Signs of frequently occurring symptoms of erectile dysfunction include any of the following: irregular erections, feeling of pain or discomfort when urinating or having sex, feeling of fatigue during the day, problems remembering things and trouble concentrating. For some men, the first warning sign of possible erectile dysfunction may be having to use a bag in order to dress for work. The longer the man delays, the worse his problem becomes, he continues to wear the bag throughout the day, until finally he removes it altogether, only to begin having sex again soon thereafter. If this happens to you, seek immediate help from your doctor; longer term effects may result from ignoring the problem, so do not put it off.
While psychological causes of erection problems may include anxiety, stress and depression, the most common psychological issue that causes erectile dysfunction is stress. “Erectile dysfunctions are oftentimes thought of as psychological conditions,” says psychiatrist Dr. Richard F. Lapetino, head of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Buffalo’s Department of Internal Medicine. “But in many cases, the underlying physiological condition is physiological–that is, there is a hormonal or neurological disturbance that has led to insufficient secretion of testosterone or perhaps to excessive levels of cortisol.” As a result of this physical imbalance, stress and anxiety can actually worsen the situation.
Recreational drugs such as marijuana and alcohol have been linked with erectile dysfunctions. According to Dr. Michael S. Smith, a psychologist and director of the New York State Mental Health Center at Columbia University, recreational drug use and related events can exacerbate the problem of low sexual desire. In particular, smoking marijuana or other “recreational” drugs can cause the body to release too much of a chemical called dopamine, which in turn can reduce blood flow to the penis. Smoking pot not only causes reduced sensation in the brain, it also reduces the amount of testosterone in a man’s body, which is essential for sexual function.
Psychological factors such as stress and anxiety are also linked to erectile problems. However, the relationship between psychological problems and physical problems is not fully understood. While mental factors may increase the level of a man’s testosterone, they may also stimulate nerve impulses in the body that regulate the erection. Likewise, anxiety and stress can decrease the production of a man’s nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels in the body and lead to diminished blood flow to the genitals. In turn, these changes contribute to sexual dysfunction.
Finally, the relationship between physical and emotional stressors can make erectile dysfunction more likely. When a person experiences too much stress or anxiety, the body produces adrenaline, which increases blood pressure and heart rate. In turn, these elevated levels of hormones can cause hormonal imbalances that disrupts the normal circulation of semen. In addition to the stress hormone, anxiety can raise cortisol levels that may contribute to diminished sperm motility. Overall, these relationships between psychological factors and erection problems may help explain why people experience libido issues in conjunction with sexual dysfunction.
An erection problem has many names including male impotency, weak erection or erectile dysfunctions. If a man can not have or maintain a firm strong erection for him to engage in sex, then he has erectile dysfunctions. Erection problems are known as impotence or erectile dysfunction. Most males have erection problems at some point in their life.
However even with a mild erection problem, a person still can be able to ejaculate and have sexual desire. This is not a sign of an erectile problem but of physical disorders like nervousness, stress or anxiety. Treatments for erection problems usually involve a combination of medicines like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Some patients also opt for the use of oral medicines, like tadalafil, vardenafil and mucoidil.
There are many causes of erection problems in men. The most common is physical risk factors like ageing, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and sleep apnea. Other physical risks factors include obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse, drugs and pregnancy. Mental factors include depression, tension, anxiousness and stress. Stress can make you physically and mentally unstable and can increase the risk of suffering from erectile dysfunctions.
The other causes of erectile dysfunctions are psychological causes. These can range from mental illnesses like anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder to recreational drug abuse and unprotected sex. Psychological causes like anxiety can interfere with your sexual health by making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. Depression causes similar problems to those caused by physical disorders. In fact, the most common treatment for depression is psychotherapy, which helps the patient to change their view and feel better about themselves.
For psychological issues, you should consult your doctor. The doctor may prescribe anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medicines. If your doctor finds that these medicines are not helpful, then there are alternative medicines like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. These medicines have a mechanism of increasing blood flow to the genital area and can help you achieve and maintain an erection. You should ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable brand of these medicines.
Erectile dysfunction may reduce your social life and increase your sense of loneliness. So, if you face problems with getting an erection during intercourse, you should take steps to solve this problem. You may need some natural techniques to help you overcome the problem. You can talk to your friends about your problems. You can look for information on the Internet. However, in most situations, you should consult a doctor before you try any treatment.