by K Davenport

Created on: April 24, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, also referred to, as "ED", is sometimes called "impotence." ED is the inability to achieve or keep a penile erection so that it interferes with the patient's ability to have sexual intercourse. In many cases, the term "impotence" is used to describe other problems that could interfere with sexual intercourse as well as reproduction, including the lack of sexual desire and/or problems achieving an orgasm.

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, can also be described as a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. In addition, an injury to the nerves that consequently results in the impairment of blood flow to the penis has the potential to cause ED. The incidence of ED seems to increase with age. Fortunately, ED is not necessarily an anticipated part of aging.

What Causes ED?

Because an erection requires a very precise sequence of events, ED can occur when any of those events are interrupted. The sequence of events includes the sending of nerve impulses to the brain, the spinal column and the area around the penis. This results in a response in muscles, fibrous tissues, arteries and veins, in or near the corpora cavernosa.

"According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse, "damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues, often as a result of disease, is the most common cause of ED. Diseases - such as diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurologic disease - account for about 70 percent of ED cases. Between 35 and 50 percent of men with diabetes experience ED."
It must be also noted that certain choices in lifestyle including smoking or alcohol consumption may contribute to heart disease and vascular problems in addition to raising the risk of ED. If you are overweight or perform minimal exercise you may also be at risk of suffering ED.

Finally, other information suggests that psychological factors such as depression, guilt, stress, anxiety, or even the fear of sexual failure results in 10 to 20 percent of Erectile Dysfunction cases.

Tests for ED

The diagnosis of ED is an extremely complex process. Your Medical Professional may use testing that involves looking at a number of psychological and physical factors to determine whether you are in fact, suffering from this disorder.

Penile Enhancement & The ED Connection

There is no evidence to completely substantiate whether or not penile enhancement products either result in or are an answer to ED. Be sure to consult with your Medical Professional about this sensitive subject.

Treatment of ED

According to an article published in MSNBC News, "A third of men with erectile dysfunction could not perform after taking their first tablet of an impotence drug and gave up sex entirely, according to a study presented at the European Society of Sexual Medicine on Tuesday."

There are three oral medications, which are approved by the FDA for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction including Sildenafil (Viagra), Vardenafil (Levitra), and Tadalafil (Cialis). All three of these medications belong to a class of drugs that are called "selective enzyme inhibitors".

If you think you have ED be sure to consult with your Medical Professional.

References:

Erection Self-Test. Retrieved April 24, 2008 from http://www.healthcentral.com/erectile-dysfunction/te sts-10566-108.html.

VIAGRA Official Site. Retrieved April 24, 2008 from www.viagra.com

If Impotence Pill Fails, Many Men Just Give Up. Retrieved April 24, 2008 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21981715/.

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