Erectile Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, Medication, and Natural Remedies

What is erectile dysfunction: meaning and prevalence

Erectile dysfunction is somewhat of a catchall term to describe male sexual problems. It’s another name for impotency, which is the inability to get or sustain an erection through the completion of the sex act. This common condition affects around 30 million men in the United States alone.

It’s worthwhile to note that, while some impotent men may also experience premature ejaculation (PE), PE is a separate condition altogether and is not included in this discussion.

The most common erectile dysfunction symptoms

There are two hallmark signs of this condition:

• Flaccidity that persists in the presence of sexual stimuli, such as intimate touching or watching porn.
• The frequent loss of erectile response in the absence of orgasm — i.e., going soft before you climax.

This condition also typically causes emotional distress, depleted libido, and drastically lowered self-esteem — for both the men who suffer from it and their sexual partners. Men should speak with their doctors about erectile dysfunction symptoms as soon as they experience them.

What are the most common causes of erectile dysfunction?

A variety of common conditions have high comorbidity with erectile dysfunction, meaning they frequently present alongside one another in patients. Obesity, diabetes, and diseases of the heart, kidneys, and thyroid can all cause erectile dysfunction.

Covid-19

Men who’ve had Covid-19 are likely to become impotent, especially if they are age 40 or older, or have typical erectile dysfunction comorbidities. Studies show that few men who present with impotence post-infection recover within three months of diagnosis.

Prostatectomy

This condition may also arise after prostatectomy: the removal of the prostate gland. The vast majority of men who undergo this therapy — used to cure both cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — experience sexual side effects for several months afterward, caused by surgical damage to nerve connections between the penis and prostate. About half of these men will recover their sexual function within one year of treatment.

Mental Illnesses

Finally, certain psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety, can also contribute to this syndrome. Furthermore, some psychiatric medications can decrease or eliminate libido, prevent erection, and make orgasm difficult or impossible to achieve.

Vaping and erectile dysfunction: Does nicotine cause impotency?

There is a connection. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it tightens blood vessels throughout the body, including those found in the penis. Heavy or prolonged use of nicotine products — such as traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes — can counteract the natural processes required to become erect. Additionally, both smoking and vaping can lead to cardiovascular disease, which is one of the leading reasons people become impotent. Vaping and erectile dysfunction don’t mix well, so, if you’re having problems in the bedroom, it may be a good idea to limit nicotine use or eliminate it altogether.

Erectile dysfunction tests your urologist may perform

There are a few assessments your urologist may wish to make if you present with symptoms of impotency. One erectile dysfunction test measures the frequency and strength of the natural erectile activity that occurs while you sleep, which helps your doctor understand how best to treat your condition. This is called a nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test. It is a non-invasive procedure that assesses your ability to become erect and how powerful your natural erections are. If you’re able to get a natural nighttime erection, your specialist may also schedule another test, called a penile plethysmograph, which can determine whether your symptoms have physical or psychological causes.

At what age do men get erectile dysfunction?

You can become impotent at any age, but your risk goes up as you get older. One Finnish study found that about two-thirds of men experienced sexual problems by age 50, and nearly 90%, by age 75. Overall, about half of all men have some form of erectile dysfunction, regardless of age.

Early onsets should be addressed as soon as possible. If you’re wondering how to fix erectile dysfunction at a young age, the best course of action is to be proactive. If you’re under age 40 and already experiencing periods of impotency, schedule an appointment with your urologist posthaste.

How to cure erectile dysfunction permanently for lifelong intimate relations

There is no permanent cure for erectile dysfunction. Most impotent men are not beyond help, however. It’s very rare to have impotency that does not respond to treatment. In addition to consulting a doctor and taking prescription medication, you can also improve your chances of restoring sexual wellness by following general guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, such as drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough restful sleep at night.

Prescription erectile dysfunction medications you can try

Impotent men have more medication options today than ever before. Most erectile dysfunction medication comes from a class of vasodilators known as PDE5 inhibitors, which target a specific enzyme in blood vessels. By interfering with PDE5 activity, these pharmaceuticals prolong vasodilation in the penis, which allows for stronger and longer-lasting erections.

Erectile dysfunction treatment pills available in the US

Most prescriptions come in pill form, but there are other treatment options out there for men with difficulty swallowing tablets. Here is a quick rundown of the most common medications.

The most popular medicines

The following table compares the most popular erectile dysfunction treatment pills available on the American market.

Erectile dysfunction treatment pills available for purchase over the counter (OTC)

No pharmaceutical erectile dysfunction therapies may be purchased without a prescription in the U.S., as the FDA hasn’t approved any PDE5 inhibitors to be sold freely over the counter. Most homeopathic treatments are available OTC, however.

The most common natural remedies for erectile dysfunction

Treatments for this condition have a long history that stretches back much further than FDA-approved solutions. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, Ayurvedic healers, and other naturopaths may recommend the following natural remedies for erectile dysfunction.

Non-surgical treatments

A variety of erection-stimulating devices are available to men who wish to treat erectile dysfunction symptoms using non-invasive solutions free from pharmaceuticals or surgery. A vacuum pump, which is designed to draw blood into the penis, is one excellent option for these patients. They may be purchased from adult entertainment stores and online suppliers, and their costs may be covered by insurance.

Vitamins and foods

Vitamins are key to living a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that certain supplements may also help to treat sexual woes? Vitamin D in particular has been shown to play an integral role in erectility, so much so that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can cause impotency in male offspring.

You can raise your vitamin D levels by spending more time in the sun with your skin exposed to the air. You can also add foods that are rich in vitamin D to your diet. Such fare includes:

• Canned fish, such as tuna and sardines
• Cereals advertised as “vitamin-D fortified”
• Certain brands of orange juice
• Egg yolks
• Fortified dairy and plant-based alternatives, such as soy, almond, and oat milks
• Yogurt

Following certain healthful diets can also alleviate symptoms. The most famous of these is the Mediterranean diet, which prioritizes consuming lean proteins — such as white meat chicken, fish, lentils, nuts, and beans — whole grains, and vegetables to improve cardiovascular health. Olive oil, lemon juice, and pumpkin seeds, which are frequently cited home remedies for erectile dysfunction, are prevalent in the Mediterranean diet.

Additionally, caffeine may provide erectile dysfunction relief in otherwise healthy men, as it raises blood pressure, increases vasodilation, and relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout the body.

Cannabis derivatives

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a popular naturopathic treatment, not just for erectile dysfunction but for chronic pain and depression as well. This compound comes from the cannabis sativa plant — one of two primary cannabis varietals used as a recreational drug — and is available in both sublingual formulations and edible gummies. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, CBD does not induce a “high.” Instead, it lowers blood pressure and alleviates anxiety, which can, in turn, relieve symptoms.

Exercises for erectile dysfunction that may improve performance

Aerobic activity is crucial to leading the kind of healthy lifestyle that can stave off bedroom maladies. Some exercises may be more beneficial than others to impotent men. Chief among the exercises for erectile dysfunction are Kegel exercises, or Kegels, which stimulate the pelvic floor muscles.

You may also wish to try yoga and pilates workouts, which encourage mindfulness to lower stress levels and improve cardiovascular health. In particular, exercises that target the following areas may cause improvement in erectile dysfunction symptoms:

• Abdominals
• Glutes
• Hamstrings
• Obliques
• Quadriceps

Almost any exercise regimen can improve your overall health, leading to a reduction in symptoms. Speak with your primary care physician before beginning an exercise program.