Erectile dysfunction in older males

A landmark study has been done on Male Ageing. It was found that a monstrous 52% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 experiencing erectile dysfunction in some degree. This goes up to about 70% for men older than 70 years. This study would then firmly connect old age and impotence. But this should not be considered the norm.

For an erection to occur you need the following a fit brain, flexible blood vessels, completely efficient nervous system and hormones. Of course the first step is the erotic impulses or stimulation. The nervous system send messages to the brain to release a substance called nitro oxide. This substance main job is to relax the so called pelvic muscles and allow blood into the groin area. The penis is engorged with blood until a full erection is achieved. This blood is now trapped inside the penis and becomes rigid. This will be maintained until orgasm is achieved and the muscles relax and allow the blood to return.

So what causes erectile dysfunction? Most men have problems with the body itself and not the penis. The general idea among men is that the penis is the culprit, while its actually the body that is letting him down. It could be that the body is not releasing enough nitro oxide or the nerves is offline, or it could be just some psychological problem.

1. Medical personal divides erectile dysfunction into 4 different categories
   
2. Psychological(10%)
   
3. Physical (80%)
   
4. Diverse (psychological and physical) (5%)
   
5. AND Unknown (5%)
   

Psychological usually happens to younger males. This could be anything that your brain cannot grasp.

These problems could include Job anxiety, marital dispute, economic doubts, depression or presentation anxiety. Most men somewhere in their lives experience tempory ED. Its not something to worry about until the problem becomes more persistent.

Physical erectile dysfunctions are a very steady and gradual sickness . Its broken up in 3 basic problems.

The inability for the brain to release the chemical message by the nervous system. This happens when you have a hormonal imbalance, spinal cord damage, pelvic operation, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease

Poor blood flow to the penis. This results in a underdeveloped erection not big and rigid enough to perform sexually. There can be many reasons for this eg. Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol.

Leakage: This happens when blood are release thru some kind of leakage in the penis area.

Drugs with certain side-effects can also lead to erectile dysfunction. These medications are usually associated with the brain. Eg are diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, Ace inhibitors; antidepressants

Your better half should be the first person you should talk to. Do not keep it all inside with the hope that it will go away. You will only worry and make matters worse. It has been found that if both partners understand the problem and the solution there is much a higher success rate.

The next person that you talk to should be your local GP. Unfortunately most men would not prefer to go to the doctor for this sort of problem. In fact most men would rather ignore the problem forever or until they have no alternative. The GP would most probably refer you to a specialist in this field eg a urologist. The doctor would ask you a couple of questions about physical wellbeing, are you taking any drugs, any emotional problems to determine if it not physical or emotional. Most doctors choose the non surgical route.

The urologist would then ask you to drop your pants for a proper examination of your penis and pelvic area. A series of question would then determine what could be the root of the problem. He would then give you list of treatments that are available.

So you maybe are wondering what kind of questions he would ask.

These questions would include your sexual history. Do you have any erection at all…like for example in the morning? This sort of question would determine what kind of problem you have… physical or psychological.

After this the doctor would do a complete physical assessment. He will check your prostate, rectal exam and study your genitals for any unusual characteristics.

He would then also do some blood work and urine test for extra information to make an assessment.

There is many risk factors that has to take into account, like the over use of alcohol and recreational drugs. Many a man has had to many a drink and then could not achieve an erection. He would then think that he may have erectile dysfunction. This of course can be cured immediately . Please refrain from drink excessively.

Please note that erectile dysfunction it not a sexual life sentence.