7 Erectile Dysfunction Facts You Need to Know

Category: Healthy Living

Author

Posted on March 26, 2021

Vanessa is a health writer and blogging expert. Her specialities are medicine, health and wellness. She is proud to call Vancouver, BC her home where she enjoys the ocean and mountains with her dog Mr. ChowChow.



erectile dysfunction facts

In the US, over 18 million men experience erectile dysfunction, also known as ED. If it’s something that happens to you from time to time, know that you’re not alone.

ED can be a massive blow to a man’s confidence, in and out of the bedroom. Erectile dysfunction is defined as when a man can’t get or keep an erection that’s firm enough for sexual intercourse.

There are many reasons and causes as to why ED might happen, both physical and psychological. However, if you’re hoping to understand more about ED, you’re sure to be interested in a few erectile dysfunction facts.

To learn more, keep reading to find seven facts about ED that you need to know—plus, what you can do if it’s a problem for you.

1. One of the Key Erectile Dysfunction Facts Is That You Can Treat It

When many men think about erectile dysfunction, they sometimes lose hope. After all, erections have a strong tie to masculinity and identity, so without the ability to get erections, can you really live a normal, healthy life?

Don’t subscribe to this theory! One of the most important facts about ED is that there are more treatment options than ever before.

The treatment will depend on the cause of your ED, but for many men, medications like PDE5 inhibitors are a fantastic treatment. PDE5 stands for Phosphodiesterase 5 and is a class of FDA-approved medications for treating ED in men.

One of the most popular medications for ED is Viagra (Sildenafil), available with a prescription from your doctor. Viagra can improve blood flow to your penis, usually at its peak about an hour after taking the pill.

If Viagra isn’t for you, Cialis (Tadalafil) is another popular alternative. It can be taken about 30 minutes before sex, but it works for up to 36 hours—Viagra is a bit less, at around four hours.

However, medication is not the only treatment for ED. Vacuum pumps, also known as penis pumps, are another popular option. They work by using suction to draw blood in the penis.

For some men with ED, such as those with penile nerve damage from prostate cancer surgery, penile implants can also be a fantastic treatment option. This is a permanent device, placed in your penis by a surgeon, that gives you the ability to give yourself erections manually.

Always talk to your doctor about which treatment option is right for you and know that it may take some trial and error until you find the best medication for your needs. 

2. ED Can Be a Symptom of a More Serious Health Issue

ED can be a nuisance, especially for sexually active men, but another key ED fact is that it can also indicate a more serious problem. For most men, this isn’t the case, but always talk to your doctor if you’re worried about your ED symptoms.

One health issue all men should be aware of, especially as they age, is prostate cancer. The prostate is a small gland found in the male reproductive system and there are a few things that can go wrong with the prostate, including cancer.

Sometimes, ED can be a symptom of prostate cancer. Other common symptoms include frequent urination, a weak urine flow, blood in the urine, or frequently getting up in the night to go to the bathroom.

If caught early, prostate cancer can be successfully treated. This is most commonly with surgery, known as a prostatectomy, or treatments involving radiation.

Another men’s health issue that’s often linked to ED is heart disease. If you have heart problems, such as blocked arteries, this makes it harder for the heart to pump through the body.

What causes erections? You guessed it, blood flow to the penis. So, if your heart isn’t pumping blood at its normal rate, it’s going to make it harder for the body to produce erections.

As you can see, the heart plays an essential role in healthy erections. If your doctor thinks you’re at risk for heart disease, they can advise you on the best steps to improve your overall health.

Other health issues with a connection to ED include high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Many of these can be treated with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.

3. Lifestyle Choices Can Impact Your Erectile Dysfunction

ED happens to all men as they age, right? Not exactly—ED is more common in men who make poor lifestyle choices.

If you want to reduce your risk of ED, you’ll want to examine your lifestyle. Are you making healthy choices?

You’ll want to give up smoking, eat a balanced diet, and get regular exercise each week. Getting enough sleep can also help, as fatigue can take its toll on your energy levels in and out of the bedroom.

Have you ever come home after a big night and found you just couldn’t perform in the bedroom? Yes, alcohol consumption is another big cause of ED.

Try to limit the number of drinks you have if ED is a concern. If you’re heading out on a big night, too many cocktails combined with nerves mean that you’re likely to have troubles later on in the night.

If you are drinking, be sure to drink plenty of water as well, to help your body stay hydrated.

While there’s no magic food to cure ED, eating a diet rich in iron, vitamins, and minerals will provide you with the nutritional balance you need to fuel your body, mind, and erections.

Some research suggests that foods like nuts, garlic, spinach, kale, and olive oil can be good for erectile dysfunction health. For further advice on your diet, it can be helpful to speak to a nutritionist.

4. Don’t Confuse Erectile Dysfunction With Low Testosterone

Another important fact to know is that ED and low testosterone are two different things completely. Just because you have ED, doesn’t mean you have low testosterone, and vice versa.

Testosterone is a hormone that helps men with libido, muscle mass, and fat distribution, to name a few things. However, men sometimes experience low testosterone due to accidents, injuries, illness, or chemotherapy.

Low libido is often linked to low testosterone, which can impact your erections. It also can affect your bone mass, weight, moods, and muscle mass.

In contrast, erectile dysfunction has a wide range of causes. It can be physical, psychological, or a side effect from various cancer treatments.

When it comes to men’s health, all men should try to understand the differences between the two. If you’re worried that low testosterone might be a problem for you, your doctor can diagnose this via a simple blood test.

5. Stress Is No Friend to Erectile Dysfunction

Some men might not realize that ED isn’t always physical—it can often be caused by mental, or psychological causes. Unfortunately, we live busy, hectic lives, and are often plagued by stress from time to time.

Stress and anxiety are major factors when it comes to temporarily experiencing ED. Are you feeling under the pump at work, worried about a loved one, or having financial problems?

If so, your mind is preoccupied with more serious issues and you may find it hard to relax and enjoy normal erections.

Of course, another major cause of stress are relationships. If you’re having problems with your partner or working through issues, you may be experiencing ED.

In that case, it might be helpful to have an honest, thoughtful conversation with your partner. This can help you deal with relationship or sexual issues that might be holding you back.

Sometimes, couples find that a relationship therapist can be a big help too.

If you find that stress is causing you problems in life, there are lots of ways to try to manage it. Try to spend time each day relaxing, exercising, or enjoying a hobby that helps you feel calm and content.

Practicing mindfulness, thinking optimistically, and spending quality time with loved ones can also help you lower your stress. Try to also get plenty of sleep and deal with problems or issues as they arise, instead of letting them build up and fester in your mind.

6. You Can Have a Rewarding Sex Life, Even Without Erections

Looking for another interesting fact about ED and sex? Even with ED, there are still plenty of ways to have an enjoyable sex life.

A little-known fact is that erections aren’t required for men to have orgasms. With the right stimulations and touch, you can still enjoy orgasms, just as you always have.

This is great news for those who may not have found success with traditional ED medications, such as those with permanent ED caused by cancer treatments. Note that your ED medications don’t need to break the bank—look for online discounts when ordering your prescriptions.

You may find that your sex life is different when you’re experiencing ED, but your sex life doesn’t need to end! There is so much more to sexuality than just penetration.

You and your partner can experiment with toys, sensual touch, kissing and caressing, and pleasing each other in new ways. There are plenty of sexual health resources out there that can help you and your partner work around erectile dysfunction.

A sexual therapist can help as well, so explore all of your options.

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

For many men, erectile dysfunction can be a private, embarrassing matter—not something you’d want to talk about with others. This is a normal reaction, but you don’t need to bury your head in the sand when it comes to your health.

One last fact about ED is that help is available, so don’t be afraid to reach out! There is nothing to be ashamed about when it comes to erectile dysfunction, so don’t live your life feeling let down.

There are so many resources out there to help men and their partners, so ask for help. Your first point of call is probably your family doctor.

Your doctor can rule out more serious health concerns and then can walk you through your options. They can also prescribe medications, which work well for many men.

Or, your doctor might be able to give you a referral to a counselor or sex therapist. If the causes of your ED are more psychological, you can get great value from therapy.

Seeking mental health help can assist with coping mechanisms when it comes to stress, anxiety, and relationship problems, all of which can help you cope with ED.

Often, your insurance will cover doctor’s visits, medication, and specialist referrals, so you don’t need to pay expensive fees to manage your erectile dysfunction.

Contact Us for Help With Erectile Dysfunction

If you’re looking for assistance with your ED, you’re not alone. We know that accessing the right treatment options and medications can be tough, especially on a tight budget, so PricePro Pharmacy is here to help.

We are a Canadian-based online pharmacy, fully verified to help American shoppers order their prescription medications for a more affordable price. At PricePro Pharmacy, we believe that healthcare shouldn’t cost the world.

If these erectile dysfunction facts have encouraged you to take action on your own health and try out medications, we can help with discount Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra, to name a few.

Please contact us with any questions about ordering medications online. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you live a happier, healthier life.

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