Erectile Dysfunction: Myths vs. Facts

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.

Erectile dysfunction is strictly a physical problem.
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. Erectile dysfunction should just be accepted as a natural part of the aging process.
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. Erectile dysfunction will go away naturally.
ED is treatable at any age, and increasing numbers of men are becoming aware of this fact. Treatment options are available, regardless of whether the cause is found to be physical or psychological. In some cases, surgery may be an option. However, there are many non-surgical treatments available, most of which work by increasing blood flow to the penis. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved oral drugs, such as Cialis and Viagra, as one type of treatment. In addition, devices such as vacuums and implants are available. Some people have found success with sex therapy or herbal remedies. In other cases, properly managing the underlying disease or substituting certain prescription medications resolves the problem. Oftentimes, a man suffering from ED simply needs to eat better, exercise, and quit smoking in order to eliminate the condition. Alcohol makes you more relaxed and can increase your ability to maintain an erection.

While small amounts of alcohol can lower your inhibitions, heavy drinking can depress your central nervous system and lead to vascular problems, actually increasing your risk for erectile dysfunction.

Men under the age of 40 don't have to worry about erectile dysfunction.

Although ED is most common in men 65 and older, it can occur at any age. Statistics show that the majority of men experience erectile problems at some point in their lives, and 10 percent of the entire male population has persistent ED, according to the American Medical Association. Because diseases such as diabetes and heart disease interfere with blood flow and increase the incidence of developing ED, men who develop these conditions, no matter how young they may be, are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.

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