by Athlyn Green

Created on: July 19, 2007

Erectile Dysfunction: Straight Talk About A Troubling Condition

If you find that intimate moments have lost their luster, you may be suffering from a
condition called erectile dysfunction. What is ED and how does it play a role in sexual health?

In plain terms, ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. Understandably, this can impact on relationships, changing the way you approach intimacy and how you view yourself. Let's face it, getting close to your partner should be an enjoyable experience, not one fraught with worries about performance.

Male sexual function changes constantly. By the age of 18 puberty reaches its peak and
allows for maximum sexual ability. This continues through the 20s and 30s. From age
4050+ a reduction in erection times, less forceful ejaculation, and longer refractory
times may be experienced. As you grow older, hormonal changes can interfere with
physiological responsiveness, arousal, and functioning.

Is ED Common?
ED afflicts millions of men at some point in their lives and especially men who are 40
years of age or older.

*5% of men in their 40s are affected.
*15-25% of men experience ED by the age of 65.
*Infrequent bouts of ED are experienced by about 50% of men between the ages
of 40 to 70.
*Psychological factors including stress, anxiety, or depression account for up to
20% of cases.

To remain erect your penis must become engorged with blood. Some conditions make this difficult:

* vascular disease (atherosclerosis)
* high fat/sugar diets
* high blood pressure
* diabetes
* kidney disease
* obesity
* smoking
* alcoholism
* medications (such as for high blood pressure, depression, and heart disease)

Thankfully, ED can be successfully treated. Modern treatments do not have to be
distressing or embarrassing and these can turn things around.

* Therapeutic approaches help with psychological issues.
* Oral medications such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis address physical causes.
* Natural remedies support sexual functioning and restore vigor.

Therapeutic Approaches

Sometimes it helps to talk about troubling issues. Just knowing you are not alone makes a significant difference. Gaining insights into how ED develops and impacts on
relationships helps in the recovery process. It is natural to feel anxiety, a sense of
inadequacy, and lowered self-esteem when grappling with ED; not surprisingly, these
feelings in themselves can contribute to problems of function.

Medications

Drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme that contributes to reduction of erections, enabling increased

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