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Explore and dispel common myths about erectile dysfunction with Meri Sehat. Get accurate information for informed decisions.

Erectile Dysfunction – Myths Busted!

Introduction

Imagine putting your kids to sleep for a special anniversary only to find out your penis took that &ldquo;Goodnight!&rdquo; way more seriously than the kids! On a serious note, though, erectile dysfunction is a worrisome condition, more so because of the myths that are associated with it. This article gives you a detailed insight into erectile dysfunction. 
&nbsp;

Erectile dysfunction or ED is essentially an inability to get and maintain an erection viable enough for performing sexual intercourse. Studies estimate that 1 out of every 10 men suffers from ED at some point in their lifetime<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. Moreover, it can occur at any stage of the process.

It is crucial to understand that in the majority of cases, ED is merely a symptom of another underlying problem. No matter how common it is claimed to be, ED is not considered a normal condition at any given age. It may be linked to other problems that hinder your sexual performance, such as loss of libido and problems with orgasm or ejaculation. That said, ED is not the primary cause of a man&rsquo;s inability to gain an erection.&nbsp;

So, what is an erection? It is the result of an increased amount of blood flow into your penis. Sexual thoughts or direct contact with your penis may stimulate this blood flow.

When you feel aroused, a muscle within the blood vessels in the penis relaxes. This makes room for increased blood flow through the penile arteries, filling the two compartments inside the penis. As these chambers fill with blood, the penis grows hard. On the other hand, the penile veins constrict to help keep the blood in the penis, thereby, maintaining that erection. When these blood vessels let the blood go out, the erection ends.

The whole purpose of this explanation is that understanding the physiology involved will educate you enough to not accept any myth at face value and if in doubt, to always consult a doctor who specializes in male sexual health. 
&nbsp;

Understanding the Treatment for Erectile Dysfunctionality

It&rsquo;s quite understandable if you get depressed after being diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. You&rsquo;re not alone if you feel anger, frustration, or even sadness or feeling afraid of being labeled less &ldquo;macho&rdquo; by society, family and friends included. Labels are not healthy for a fit person, let alone someone going through a challenging condition. Hence, these feelings can lead to a loss of self-esteem.

However, this is a treatable form of depression and like any other psychologically challenging situation, you need to accept that this is something you have but not something that defines you! A study by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases showed that approximately 30 million men residing in the United States have ED and the prevalence has only increased with age<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Moreover, The University of Wisconsin has estimated that mild or moderate degrees of ED tend to affect almost 10% more men for each decade of their life, i.e., 60% of men in their 60s have a higher chance to experience some form of ED<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>.These stats may be misleading on their own as they give an impression that ED mostly affects the elderly, whereas it is quite prevalent among the younger generation, too.

According to a 2013 study, 1 in every 4 men seeks their first-ever treatment for ED under the age of 40 years<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. Another study showed that 57.4% of men in Nigeria attended primary care clinics for ED, whereas in Egypt it was 63.6%, and in Pakistan, the numbers were as high as 80.8%<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.&nbsp;Research has established a strong link between smoking, drug use, and ED in the younger population<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>.&nbsp;This means that the lifestyle choices you make can affect your erection. 
&nbsp;

If you are not sure that the reason you are having trouble getting an erection is ED indeed, you should get tested for other sexual disorders as well, including:

<ul>
	<li>Premature ejaculation</li>
	<li>Delayed ejaculation</li>
	<li>Anorgasmia, i.e., your inability to achieve orgasm after a considerable stimulation time 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;A doctor&rsquo;s visit always starts with a detailed history. Your doctor, after assessing your medical history, may perform a physical exam and run some preliminary blood and urine tests. Such evaluations help to rule out other possibilities, including diabetes, low testosterone, heart diseases, and high cholesterol.

Later, a detailed assessment such as a penile doppler ultrasound provides a much more accurate picture, such as helping your healthcare practitioner identify scarring or calcification inside the erectile tissue.

Moreover, if your ED is due to a psychological issue, your doctor will also recommend a visit to a psychiatrist.​ 
&nbsp;

ED can be caused by several factors. These include<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	A Vascular Disease
	</li>
</ul>

The blood supply to your penis can be obstructed due to vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	Neurological Disorders 
	</li>
</ul>

Nerves send impulses to your penis during intercourse and cause an erection. However, it may be possible that your nerves are damaged or affected in any way due to conditions like stroke, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	Psychological Conditions
	</li>
</ul>

Psychological causes that can cause ED include stress, depression, lack of stimulus from the brain, and performance anxiety. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	Trauma
	</li>
</ul>

An injury may cause symptoms of ED. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	Surgery
	</li>
</ul>

Surgeries for prostate, bladder, and colon cancer can also be considered contributing factors 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	Substance/Drug Abuse
	</li>
</ul>

Substances or drugs can lead to ED as well. These include recreational and occasionally abused drugs, such as alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, marijuana, methadone, nicotine, and opiates<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	Other
	</li>
</ul>

Chronic illness, few medications, and a condition called Peyronie&#39;s disease can also cause ED. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Myth 1: Erectile Dysfunction Means There&rsquo;s An Issue With Your Penis</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Reality: In order to get an erection, you need a healthy brain and penis, healthy blood vessels and nerves, along with adequate amounts of the male hormone called testosterone. If any of this is not working at its optimal level, you can get erectile dysfunction. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Myth 2: Once A&nbsp;Struggler, Always A&nbsp;Struggler</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Reality: It&#39;s normal if you struggle in bed once or twice. However, you should consult your primary healthcare provider if it persists. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Myth 3: Erectile Dysfunction Means You Don&rsquo;t Find Your Partner Attractive</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Reality: There are many other possible causes of ED. Even though personal problems may play a role as it leads to difficulty achieving an erection, however, it&#39;s also possible that it occurred due to a different cause. If you love being with your partner, it&#39;s more likely that it is the stress, anxiety, fatigue, specific medications, or other health conditions which are causing your erectile dysfunction. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Myth 4: Testosterone Supplements Will Fix Your ED</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Reality: It is true that hormonal changes, such as low levels of testosterone, can lead to erectile dysfunction, but it&rsquo;s not the only cause. You should always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplements so that they can guide you if it is even going to help or not. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>
	<h5>Myth 5: Medications Are The Only Way To Treat ED</h5>
	</li>
</ul>

Reality: There are many options available to treat your erectile dysfunction. Medications do work for a lot of men; however, others have benefitted from a simple mechanical device, surgery, or counseling<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>. 
&nbsp;

Conclusion

Treatment approaches of ED include<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>:

<ul>
	<li>Oral medications</li>
	<li>Sex therapy</li>
	<li>Penile injections</li>
	<li>Vacuum devices</li>
	<li>Intraurethral medication</li>
	<li>Surgery (e.g., penile implant) 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The treatment modality best for your ED is defined based on the underlying cause. There are some non-surgical and surgical options available for ED.

For example, psychological causes may warrant therapy with a trained counselor. Indeed, sex therapy has proved to be beneficial for most men.

Moreover, 95% of penile implant surgeries are successful in giving men erections<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.You can get inflatable penile prosthesis implanted during outpatient surgery. It enables you to have an erection whenever you want. The benefit of this treatment modality is that it preserves your penile sensation, orgasm, and ejaculation.

The most commonly used penile implant includes a pair of inflatable cylinders that are surgically implanted in the erection chambers of your penis, i.e., the cylinders are connected to a pump inside your scrotal sac, which holds your testes.

To inflate the penile prosthesis, you would have to compress the pump for some time so that you can transfer the fluid from the reservoir to the cylinders, leading to an erection. Once inflated, the prosthesis gives the penis an impression of a natural erection. 
&nbsp;

Please Note: Please consult your healthcare provider to find the most suitable treatment. 
&nbsp;

Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>Erection is the result of an increased amount of blood flow into the penis. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is essentially the inability to get and maintain an erection viable enough for performing sexual intercourse.</li>
	<li>Studies estimate that 1 out of every 10 men suffers from ED at some point in their lifetime.</li>
	<li>People get depressed when they&rsquo;re diagnosed with ED.</li>
	<li>Based on the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases study, approximately 30 million men residing in the United States have ED and the prevalence has only been seen to increase with age.</li>
	<li>The University of Wisconsin has estimated that mild or moderate degrees of ED affect almost 10% more men for each decade of their life</li>
	<li>According to a 2013 study, 1 in every 4 men seek their first-ever treatment for ED under the age of 40 years.</li>
	<li>A study to find out ED prevalence showed that 57.4% of men in Nigeria attended primary care clinics for ED, while in Egypt it was 63.6%, and in Pakistan, it was as high as 80.8%.</li>
	<li>Some other sexual disorders which are related to ED include premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, and anorgasmia.</li>
	<li>A detailed test such as a penile doppler ultrasound is requested to help your healthcare practitioner identify scarring or calcification inside the erectile tissue.</li>
	<li>Causes of ED include vascular disease, trauma, or even psychological factors.</li>
	<li>Substances or drugs that can lead to ED include recreational and occasionally abused drugs such as alcohol, amphetamines, and barbiturates.</li>
	<li>It&#39;s normal for men to struggle in their bed once or twice; do not panic or worry.</li>
	<li>It is true that hormonal changes, such as low levels of testosterone, can lead to erectile dysfunction. However, they&rsquo;re not the only cause.</li>
	<li>Treatment approaches of ED include oral medications, sex therapy, and penile injections.</li>
	<li>Almost 95% of penile implant surgeries are successful in giving men erections.</li>
</ul>

[1] Shaeer, K. Z., Osegbe, D. N., Siddiqui, S. H., Razzaque, A., Glasser, D. B., & Jaguste, V. (2003). Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and its correlates among men attending primary care clinics in three countries: Pakistan, Egypt, and Nigeria. International journal of impotence research, 15 Suppl 1, S8–S14.

[2] Erectile dysfunction (ed): Causes, diagnosis & treatment. Cleveland Clinic.

[3]  J. Nicholas (Nick) Warner MD. 8 common erectile dysfunction myths. Mayo Clinic Health System.

[4] Team, T. H. E. (2022, August 22). A complete guide to erectile dysfunction, its causes, its symptoms & more. Healthline. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from