Foundation 49 - Men's Health

'Erectile Dysfunction' refers to the failure to get an erection, or keep an erection long enough for satisfactory lovemaking. It isn't a disease, but a symptom of some other problem, either physical, psychological or a mixture of both.

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of cases have physical causes, with only one in ten cases of erectile dysfunction being caused by psychological problems. It is normal to experience the occasional bout of erectile dysfunction. Unless it persists, there is no reason to be concerned.

Incidence

The likelihood of erectile dysfunction increases with age, but it is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Between the ages of 40 and 70, complete erectile dysfunction rates triple: from 5 per cent at age 40 to 15 per cent at age 70.

Causes

The two types of erectile dysfunction are:

• Total erectile dysfunction - when a man has never had an orgasm during sex. This can happen if the sex organs were damaged at an early age. This condition is also known as primary erectile dysfunction.
• Partial erectile dysfunction - when a man can sometimes get and keep an erection, or can get a partial erection, or is only impotent in certain situations. This condition is also known as secondary erectile dysfunction.

The four main causes of erectile dysfunction are:

• Physical illness - Most causes of erectile dysfunction are physical. There are many diseases that interfere with functioning of the penis by either reducing blood flow or affecting the nerves. Such diseases include heart and blood vessel diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and alcoholism. When the erectile dysfunction is caused by a physical illness, it usually develops slowly. Some prescription drugs, like narcotics, sedatives and blood pressure medication, can give you erectile dysfunction as a side effect.
• Psychological factors - a man's sexual drive or performance can be affected by stress, such as problems at work, relationship difficulties, or financial worries. Psychiatric conditions and feeling depressed or anxious about poor sexual performance can also result in a failed erection. Only one in ten cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by psychological factors.
• A combination of physical illness and psychological factors - physical problems with maintaining an erection may cause the man to feel anxious about lovemaking, which makes the problem worse.
• Unknown - in a few cases, neither physical nor psychological causes can explain the loss of sexual functioning.

Diagnosis

An occasional failure to get or keep an erection should not be cause for concern. Occasional erectile dysfunction is normal. Some of the causes include drunkenness, anxiety and tiredness. In fact, one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction in middle-aged men is lack of sleep.

If the problem persists, it is worthwhile seeing a doctor to investigate the cause.