Erectile Dysfunction Ithaca NY
Erectile Dysfunction
If you think erectile dysfunction (ED) strictly affects the aging population, think again. As it turns out, ED affects up to 30 million males of all ages in the United States each year, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Although it was once a taboo subject, men are more willing to discuss and seek treatment for the condition today. Of course, understanding the facts is a critical component of treating and preventing ED. Here, we debunk the most common myths about the condition.
Myth #1:
Erectile dysfunction is strictly a physical problem.
Reality:
Although the majority of diagnosed ED cases are a result of physical diseases that cause damage to nerves, fibrous tissues, and arteries (such as diabetes, MS, vascular disease, and neurological disease), experts theorize that up to 20 percent of ED cases are due to anxiety, stress, depression, and other psychological factors, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse (NIDDK). One of the most common psychological causes of erectile dysfunction is performance anxiety that may result after several failed attempts at intercourse. The anxiety may increase, leading to more failed attempts, ultimately resulting in a cycle of anxiety and sexual failure.
Myth #2:
Erectile dysfunction should just be accepted as a natural part of the aging process.
Reality:
The incidence of erectile dysfunction certainly increases with age, but it is in no way an inevitable part of the aging process. Changes in erections and in the amount of time it takes to achieve one are normal signs of aging and should not be confused with ED, which is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and carefully monitoring chronic illnesses, like kidney disease or diabetes, can help decrease your risk of developing ED...
