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Erection is an erection of the penis in men, less often an enlargement of the clitoris or nipples in women. Erectile dysfunction is a condition that increasingly affects not only elderly men, but also men under 30 years of age. What could be the causes of erectile dysfunction?
Briefly and simply put, an erection is an erection, i.e. the penis being ready for sexual intercourse. During an erection, the penis enlarges, hardens and becomes stiff. From a medical point of view, an erection is the second phase of a man’s sexual response. In order for a man to achieve an erection, the nervous system needs to cooperate with the vascular system.
The mechanism of this cooperation is based on the fact that, under the influence of a sexual stimulus, the erectile center, which is located in the spinal cord, is stimulated and the cavernous bodies of the penis are filled with blood.
You can associate erections with sex, but it can happen at any time. There are three types of erection:
- reflex erection This type of erection happens when something physically touches your genitals, causing you to become aroused,
- psychogenic erection – they arise in response to mental stimuli such as sexual memories or fantasies,
- night erection – as the name suggests, they happen during sleep. Morning erections are usually the last night erections a man experiences while sleeping.
See: Placebo is effective in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in women
Although an erection is a physical experience, the process actually starts in the brain. Below are the steps on how to get an erection.
Step 1:
As a result of sexual and / or psychological stimulation, impulses from the brain and nerves around the penis cause smooth muscles to relax, allowing the body’s bodies to be filled with blood.
Step 2:
Penile arteries dilate with the increased blood flow that is needed to lengthen the penis.
Step 3:
The increased blood volume in the penis is prevented by drainage by the increased pressure that compresses the penile veins, expanding the penis to a full erection.
Step 4:
Maximum stiffness is achieved. The glans and spongy body (the tip and body of the penis) enlarge until the veins of the penis are fully compressed, increasing the swelling and keeping the penis maximally stiff. Then comes an orgasm and ejaculation.
Step 5:
After orgasm and ejaculation, muscle contractions cause an increased drain of blood from the penis, reducing its length and circumference to the point of laxity.
See: Premature ejaculation – causes and treatment. Ways of premature ejaculation
There is no black and white rule for how long an erection should last. Every man – and every erection – is unique. Factors that can influence the duration of an erection are:
- age – for older men, the erection is no longer as long as for younger men. In fact, the older the man, the more likely he is to develop sexual dysfunction.
- health Medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure can make it difficult to get or maintain an erection.
- emotional state – anxiety, stress, sex shame and distraction can affect a man’s ability to maintain an erection
- psychoactive substances – alcohol or drugs can make it difficult to maintain an erection. In addition, certain medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, medications for high blood pressure, and more, can cause erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction medications, on the other hand, can prolong a man’s erection.
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Erectile dysfunction is described as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, and therefore the inability to have sexual intercourse. Erection problems concern about two million Polish men. Formerly, erectile dysfunction was called impotence. Currently, however, the use of this wording in the context of erectile dysfunction is avoided because impotence indicates the irreversibility of the problem and is pejorative.
Erectile dysfunction can take three main forms:
- persistent and complete inability to have sexual intercourse;
- inability to obtain the erection necessary for penetration;
- inability to keep an erection long enough for you to have full sexual intercourse.
Ginseng root, which you can buy on Medonet Market, supports the erection.
Physical causes of erectile dysfunction
Most cases of erectile dysfunction are secondary in nature. This means that the function of getting an erection is normal, but in some situations it becomes problematic. The causes of secondary erectile dysfunction are usually physical.
In rare cases, the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction may be primary. It means that the man never got an erection. Primary ED may be caused by a mental or physical condition.
A man should consult a doctor if he is experiencing persistent erection problems as the problem may be caused by an underlying medical condition. A proper diagnosis can help solve any underlying medical problems and solve sexual problems.
Some of the most common physical causes of erectile dysfunction include:
- heart disease and narrowing of blood vessels
- diabetes,
- high blood pressure,
- high cholesterol,
- obesity and metabolic syndrome,
- Parkinson’s disease,
- multiple sclerosis,
- hormonal disorders, including thyroid disease and testosterone deficiency
- structural or anatomical disorders of the penis, such as Peyronie’s disease
- smoking, abuse of alcohol and psychoactive substances, including cocaine,
- treatment of prostate disease,
- surgical complications,
- injuries to the pelvis or spinal cord,
- radiotherapy of the pelvic area.
Atherosclerosis is a common cause of blood flow problems. Atherosclerosis causes the arteries of the penis to narrow or obstruct, preventing the blood flow needed to produce an erection.
Numerous prescription medications can also cause erectile dysfunction. A person taking prescription medications should consult their doctor before stopping or changing medications. Some medications that can cause erectile dysfunction include:
- medications to control high blood pressure
- heart medications such as digoxin
- drugs used to treat anxiety disorders
- antidepressants, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants
- opioid painkillers,
- certain anti-cancer drugs, including chemotherapy drugs
- certain hormonal drugs.
Physical causes account for 90 percent of erectile dysfunction cases, with psychological causes being much less common.
See: Depression + erectile dysfunction = heart disease
Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction
Psychological factors can cause or contribute to erectile dysfunction, ranging from treatable mental illnesses to the everyday emotional states that most of us experience.
Psychological factors that can influence erectile dysfunction include:
- fear of intimacy,
- depression and other mental disorders,
- general anxiety.
A man may also not be able to achieve a full erection due to a specific anxiety related to sexual performance, a common psychological factor in people with erectile dysfunction. It is estimated that this form of anxiety about sexual performance affects 9-25% of men.
It should also be noted that medical and psychosocial causes may overlap. For example, if a person is obese, changes in blood flow can affect the person’s ability to maintain an erection, which is a physical cause. However, the person may also have low self-esteem, affecting the erection, which is a psychosocial cause.
Read: Depression in a senior. Characteristic symptoms of depression in the elderly
Some men who ride a bike frequently wonder if this form of physical activity can contribute to the appearance of erectile dysfunction.
Some studies have raised concerns that men who regularly cycle for long hours may be at greater risk of erectile dysfunction, infertility, and prostate cancer.
However, a 2014 study found no link between cycling and erectile dysfunction, but did show a link between longer hours of cycling and the risk of prostate cancer. However, another study published in 2020 found no correlation between cycling and erectile dysfunction or prostate cancer.
The link between cycling and prostate cancer remains controversial and requires more research.
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Prostate disease and erectile dysfunction
Early-stage prostate cancer does not cause erectile dysfunction, but advanced forms of cancer do. Prostate surgery to remove tumors and radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer can cause erectile dysfunction.
Some drugs used for prostate cancer can also cause erectile dysfunction. For example, hormone therapies can lower a person’s libido and, by combination, lead to erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown that finasteride can cause sexual dysfunction in men.
Tribulus terrestris has a positive effect in the prevention of erection problems. The plant has a great influence on the production of testosterone and increases potency in men. 400mg terrestrial mace can be bought at a low price on medonetmarket.pl. Also try N ° 1 Libido HIM – a libido supplement for men, which supports the functions of the genital organs and has a positive effect on sex life.
Priapism is a long-term erection of the penis. This unwanted erection may or may not be caused by sexual arousal, is usually very painful and may last 2 hours or more.
Priapism is an emergency. If priapism is not treated within 24 hours, the penis may be permanently damaged and may lead to problems getting an erection in the future.
If you have an erection that lasts more than 2 hours, you should go to the nearest emergency room for medical help.
Prolonged erection or priapism occurs because blood in the penis becomes trapped and unable to return to circulation.
The most common cause of priapism is the side effect of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Medicines for erectile dysfunction should only be taken when prescribed by a licensed physician. Medicines you buy online may be of poor quality and may contain ingredients that are unsafe with other medications you are taking. They can also be dangerous because of other health problems you have.
Other causes of priapism include:
- blood disorders or other medical conditions,
- certain prescription medications
- drug use,
- injury to the penis.
Do you want to strengthen your erection and have more sexual satisfaction? Try one of the male sex gadgets available on Medonet Market:
- Maximize Ring – Marc Dorcel’s flexible penis ring,
- Adjust Ring – Marc Dorcel adjustable circuit ring,
- Erection lasso – JBoa model 304.