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.
Common causes of erectile dysfunction include:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Low testosterone
- Certain medications
- High cholesterol
- 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.
