Common Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as mentioned is a fairly common disease. In fact, 3 in 10 men 18 years of age and older will experience ED at some point in his life. It is well known that the risk of developing ED increases with age, but it is possible for men of all ages to experience ED. It is important to know that it is not unusual to occasionally have difficulty with achieving or maintaining an erection, however, if you are having trouble more than 50 percent of the time, that isn’t normal, and you should be evaluated to determine why you are having difficulty and what treatment, if needed, will be best for you.
ED can result from physical, psychological, or lifestyle-related factors. In many cases, it’s a combination of multiple underlying causes. Common contributors include:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Low testosterone
- Certain medications
- High cholesterol/ poor diet
- Neurological problems
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Sleep disorders
- Depression/Stress
- Pelvic Surgery
- Injury to the Pelvis or Back
Those causes sound familiar? Oftentimes, the earliest symptom of heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes is ED. It has been reported in multiple studies that nearly 70% of men over the age of 45 who have been seen for heart disease had suffered from ED 1-3 years prior to their heart disease symptoms.
Identifying the root cause of erectile dysfunction is essential to determining the most effective treatment. At Arkansas Urology, we take a comprehensive approach that considers your full medical history and lifestyle to pinpoint the contributing factors.