With the recent mass marketing campaigns for Viagra Connect, we’ve taken a look at Erectile Dysfunction, the symptoms, effects and possible treatments available.

The occurrence of Erectile Dysfunction in men is much more common than people think. Mild to moderate ED problems affect around 1 in 5 men in their twenties, rising to an incredible 1 in 2 men in their fifties.

When a man becomes sexually aroused, a large set of factors come into play. Hormones, blood vessels, muscles and nerves all work together to rouse the penis into an erection. Nerve signals stimulate the muscles around the base of the penis to relax, this allows blood to flow more freely into the penis causing it to expand in size and volume. Once the penis is fully erect, the same blood vessels at the base of the penis contract, maintain the erection for as long as is necessary.

When a man experiences Erectile Dysfunction problems (Also known as Impotence or Sexual Dysfunction), he is unable to maintain an erection that is strong enough, or lasts long enough for sexual intercourse. This can occur for any man occasionally due to a wide range of factors and is not considered a serious issue. If a man cannot maintain an erection one quarter of the time or more, he is considered to have an ED problem that he should seek medical attention for.

What can cause Erectile Dysfunction?

There are many possible contributing factors to Erectile Dysfunction. It is possible to be solely physical, solely mental, or a combination of the two. As you would expect, physical conditions are more prevalent in older men relating to dysfunction of their nervous system and blood vessels.
Some of the physical disorders that can lead to ED include:

● Heart disease
● High blood pressure
● Diabetes
Obesity
● High cholesterol
● Certain medications (including beta blockers, muscle relaxers, or antidepressants)
● Liver or kidney disease
● Substance abuse

Emotional issues can affect men of any age from achieving or maintaining an erection. These include:

● Fear of potential ED problems
● Relationship conflicts
Depression
● Emotional distress related to financial difficulty, work stress, or social issues

What effects will it have?

The impact of ED on a man’s life can be wide ranging and extend further than just the sexual encounter itself. If a man experiences impotence, he may also feel more stressed, anxious and uncomfortable in social situations.

It is a natural human reaction to feel embarrassed about having ED problems. This can unfortunately lead to a low sense of esteem and even depression. Any or all of these factors combined can have a detrimental effect on a relationship and in its most extreme cases, cause relationship breakdowns.

What can I do about it?

The first step to treating Erectile Dysfunction problems is identifying the possible causes. For instance, if a man is over 40, his risk of having a physical problem causing ED is significantly higher than that of a 20-40 year old. If a man drank heavily, or did not take enough exercise, this will in most cases be contributing to impotence problems.
So, what can be done from here? Lifestyle changes are a great place to start:

● Being open with your partner and taking about the issue
● Doing regular exercise
● Quitting smoking
● Moderating alcohol intake
● Eating a healthy diet

For men with physical conditions, prescription medications such as Viagra or Viagra Connect may be the most effective treatment. They contain the active ingredient Sildenafil Citrate which is what is known as a PDE5 Inhibitor, which works to increase the flow of blood to the penis.

Are Viagra and Viagra Connect the only options? No, there are multiple medications available on the market for Erectile Dysfunction, the most popular competitor to Viagra (Sildenafil) is Cialis (Tadalafil). There are also some younger competitors on the market such as Levitra (Vardenafil) and Spedra (Avanafil). It's possible to find more information on all of these products here.

In conclusion

Erectile Dysfunction can cause a wide range of issues and is not a condition to be taken lightly. It is however, treatable. Once the cause or causes are identified, taking steps to resolve them is achievable for most men. Whether it is a case of talking to your partner, or seeking medical advice, the underlying causes of Erectile Dysfunction can be resolved by taking the correct steps.

Author's Bio: 

Robert English is a professional writer working within the pharmaceutical industry who specialises in health issues. He is an ongoing contributor to numerous online health related websites and social forums.