Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition that affects your ability to have or keep an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse. ED can be a short-term or long-term problem. You have ED when you
- can get an erection sometimes, but not every time you want to have sex
- can get an erection, but it does not last long enough for fulfilling or satisfactory sex
- are unable to get an erection at any time
Health care professionals, such as primary care providers and urologists, often can treat ED. Although ED is very common, it is not a normal part of aging. Talk with a health care professional if you have any ED symptoms. ED could be a sign of a more serious health problem. If you have anyone who is facing this issue, then you may know how does an impotent man behave.
You may find it embarrassing and difficult to talk with a health care professional about ED. However, remember that a healthy sex life can improve your quality of life and is part of a healthy life overall. Health care professionals, especially urologists, are trained to speak to people about many kinds of sexual problems. Medication is often one of the first ED treatment options men try. Stendra, Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are among the most common ED medications on the market. These medications increase blood flow to the penis. However you need to be weary of counterfeits like fake Nizagara and fake Viagra in circulation.
Each ED medication has its own unique drug interactions and side effects that you should be aware of when choosing the right treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider to choose the best treatment based on your medical history, symptoms, and preferences.
How common is this problem?
Experts widely agree that ED is common and that the risk of developing ED increases with age. Some studies cite that ED is the most common form of sexual dysfunction that affects men.
But estimates on just how common ED is vary widely. One 2018 review estimated that ED affects about a third of men. And a 2019 review found that the global prevalence of ED ranges between 3 percent and 76.5 percent.
The Massachusetts Male Aging Study, which was completed in 1994, is often cited by experts in discussions of prevalence, even though the research is older. This study found that around 52 percent of men experience some form of ED, and that total ED increases from about 5 to 15 percent between ages 40 and 70.
Though the risk of ED increases with age, it’s still possible for young men to experience ED. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that ED affected about 26 percent of men under the age of 40.
As all this research shows, even though experts agree that ED is common, prevalence can be hard to measure in large populations. This may be because doctors and researchers use different definitions of how often erection issues must occur in order to be considered ED. There’s also a lot of variation among screening tools and questionnaires used by researchers.
Nancy Bonney is a health blogger and the founder of her own blog about fitness. She has been blogging for three years now and loves to share what she learns with others. Nancy enjoys reading, cooking, and staying active outdoors.