Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Treatment

The good news is that there’s a lot of conversation happening around erectile dysfunction in men’s health circles. However, many men still don’t fully understand exactly why they’re experiencing this condition. Others wonder if their symptoms are actually in alignment with a true ED diagnosis. The biggest indicator that you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction is that you’re unable to keep or sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. While this will be a constant occurrence for some men with ED, others with only experience periodic or short-term issues. ED usually manifests in one of three ways for men. Here’s a rundown of the three key stages of erectile dysfunction experienced by most men with this condition:

1. You are unable to get an erection.
2. While you’re able to get an erection some of the time, you are not able to get or sustain an erection every time you want to have sex.
3. Erections are not lasting long enough for fulfilling sexual experiences.

Many men dismiss early signs of ED. Some assume that they are just “tired.” Others blame work stress, grueling workouts or “getting older.” While there’s no need to raise the alarm if you experience a symptom of ED once in a while, it’s also important to not be too quick to dismiss signs of dysfunction. Your ED symptoms could be telling you that something is out of balance in your body.

There are many different causes for erectile dysfunction. While ED is usually associated with older men, there’s certainly no rule that says you have to be over a certain age to experience erectile issues. In fact, many younger men put off getting help and support because they assume they are too young for ED treatments. The fact of the matter is that contributing factors to ED can impact men of any age. This is one of the reasons why seeing a care provider if you’re experiencing ED is so important. Here at Denver Chiropractic, we’re able to go over factors like health history and lifestyle with our patients to identify any triggers or risk categories they may be unaware of that are actually putting them at risk for ED. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest risk factors for developing erectile dysfunction.

Age

Age is the biggest risk factor for developing ED. However, that doesn’t mean that men should assume that having erectile dysfunction is simply a natural part of aging that is to be accepted. Some studies show that up to 40 percent of men will experience ED by age 40. That jumps to 70 percent by age 70. Being older doesn’t mean that treatments will be less effective. Many men are able to restore function and vitality simply by getting their bodies back in balance.

Various Diseases and Conditions

There’s a long list of diseases and conditions that can actually make you more likely to develop erectile dysfunction. However, there often isn’t enough patient education surrounding this topic to leave men aware of the links between certain health conditions and sexual function. Here’s a rundown of the conditions that are associated with a greater risk of developing erectile dysfunction:

• Type 2 diabetes.
• Heart and blood vessel disease.
• Atherosclerosis/hardening of the arteries.
• High blood pressure.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Peyronie’s disease (penile injury).

Certain treatments and injuries can also increase your risk for developing ED due to tissue trauma. For instance, men who undergo treatments for prostate cancer sometimes sustain minor injuries that contribute to dysfunction. This includes surgery and radiation therapy. Men who undergo surgery for bladder cancer also have increased chances for developing ED. Lastly, having any type of surgery related to the penis, prostate or spinal cord can leave you vulnerable to erectile dysfunction.

Medications

We often don’t think of the way that the medications we’re talking can impact different parts of the body. However, there’s actually a long list of medications known to impact erectile function. In fact, many common medications used for everything from heart health to mood support are known to cause erectile dysfunction. The list includes the following:

• Antidepressants.
• Blood pressure medicines.
• Antiandrogens (testosterone blockers).
• Prescription tranquilizers, sedatives and sleep aids.
• Appetite suppressants.
• Ulcer medications.

While these are the main contributors to ED, it’s also important to consider any other medications or supplements you’re taking. Going over labels with help from a doctor can help you to identify any ingredients that could be tied to ED. In some cases, simply stopping a medication or supplement that isn’t deemed medically essential may help you to restore sexual function. There’s also the possibility for switching to a similar medication or supplement that does not cause ED. However, you may need to consider options for managing ED without stopping a medication if that medicine is an essential, life-saving medicine. You should never simply stop taking a medication because you suspect that it’s contributing to your ED. Always consult with a doctor to make sure you’re safely managing medications while attempting to resolve ED issues.

Lifestyle and Behaviors

Yes, lifestyle can contribute to ED even if you don’t have any underlying health conditions that are directly responsible for sexual dysfunction. We know that obesity is a significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Research shows that 79 percent of men presenting erectile disorders have BMIs of 25 or greater. Researchers believe that hormonal imbalances, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, psychological factors and physical inactivity may all contribute to the link between obesity and ED.

There’s also an increased risk for ED among men who smoke. In fact, men who smoke are roughly twice as likely to develop ED as nonsmokers. The reason for this isn’t a mystery. We know that smoking restricts circulation throughout the body. That restricted circulation also restricts the blood flow needed to achieve and maintain an erection.

Psychological Factors

There is sometimes a mind-body factor behind ED. While psychological issues can contribute to ED at any age, this is something that we see more frequently with younger men experiencing erectile dysfunction. Developing ED can sometimes come down to nothing more than stress. That means that every man is technically at risk for ED because stressors related to work, relationships and responsibilities at home can’t be avoided by anyone. The key is to find ways to manage stress for a healthier mind and body. In addition, it’s important to make sure that restrictions in the musculoskeletal and central nervous systems from untreated strains and injuries aren’t creating inflammation that leaves you in a chronic state of stress.

We also know that anxiety about sexual performance can lead to ED. Men with low self-esteem or guilt about sexual activities are also at higher risk for ED. Finally, there is a strong link between depression and ED.