Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection necessary for successful sexual penetrative activity. However, erectile difficulties are also known to occur during sexual activity such as oral sex or genital stimulation, where difficulties attaining or maintaining an erection can occur during partnered and individual sexual experiences.
While Erectile Dysfunction can be frustrating, it is important to remember that treatment options are available. In this article, we will discuss the aetiology of ED and provide some tips on how to improve erectile functionality and mitigate the stress from experienced difficulties.
Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction is caused by psychological stressors, such as anxiety, depression, unrealistic expectations towards sexual performances, and/or partnered-related difficulties that impede erectile functionality. Typically, Psychogenic ED is the most common form of ED amongst younger men between 18 – 39 years of age. Although this form of ED is most common amongst a younger male population group, psychological stressors that impede erectile functionality can affect men from different aged populations.
Organic Erectile Dysfunction
Organic Erectile Dysfunction is arterial, hormonal, neurogenic, and/or drug-related factors that disrupt the biological functioning for achieving and/or maintaining an erection for successful sexual penetrative activity. Certain prescription medications can also influence organic ED, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications.
Organic ED has also been related to age-related comorbidities and thus impacts more middle-aged to older men, as age-related comorbidities such as physical inactivity, vascular alterations, and neurological pathologies can affect the penile cavernosal tissue that assists in healthy erectile functionality.
Although this form of ED is most common amongst middle-aged and, more particularly, older men, organic ED has been rising for younger men due to increasing drug and alcohol-related behaviours and poor dietary choices that are low in nutrients.
Sexual functioning is a multifactorial process consisting of complex intercorrelated biopsychosocial processes comprising both psychogenic and organic components. As such, men who present with erectile difficulties may typically have a mixture of both psychogenic and organic components that are impeding erectile functionality. It is important that if you are experiencing erectile difficulties, you seek assistance from trained professionals for treatment options.
So how do we fix ED or How to Improve Erectile Functionality?
Lifestyle Changes
Making healthier choices can improve mental and psychical health and reduce the frequency and risk of erectile difficulties. Here are some changes to your lifestyle you can make to improve erectile functionality:
Quit or Reduce Smoking
Nicotine (an addictive substance naturally found in tobacco) has a vaso-constrictive effect that shrinks and tightens blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to all the organs, including the penis. This vaso-constrictive effect impacts erectile functionality, as to adequately attain or maintain an erection, the spongy tissue and smooth muscles of the penis require steady blood flow. Thus, men who smoke or vape are at a much higher risk of acquiring ED than non-smokers.
Exercise Regularly
Regular pilates or aerobic exercises, such as boxing, rowing, cycling, and running, can lead to a healthier cardiovascular system and can increase arterial inflow. Implementing some of the suggested regular exercises in your routine may not only assist with improving erectile functionality but also assist in maintaining a healthy body weight.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
Being a heavier person can contribute to Erectile Dysfunction. This is because excess body weight can damage blood vessels, increase blood pressure, decrease cardiovascular health, and decrease testosterone. If you may think your weight may be contributing to your erectile difficulties, then consult with your GP. They can determine your body mass index (BMI) for healthy functioning.
Eating a Balanced and Healthy Diet
Diets high in saturated fats (diets that contain high quantities of meats and dairy products) can impede erectile functionality. This is because they can increase cholesterol. Increased cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build in a person’s blood vessels, making it difficult for the penis to have adequate blood flow to attain and/or maintain an erection. Diets that include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, beans, and fish (Mediterranean diet) have been shown to have many health benefits, including maintaining healthy blood flow and cardiovascular functioning.
Drugs and Alcohol
Drugs such as cannabis and cocaine are commonly associated with Erectile Dysfunction. Cannabis is correlated with psychogenic ED in men. In contrast, cocaine is known to induce organic ED as cocaine restricts blood vessels that promote the blood flow necessary to attain and maintain an erection. Alcohol has also been closely linked with ED.
As alcohol is a depressant, it can impair information sent throughout the body, influencing motor skills and bodily responses. Additionally, alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it causes people to urinate more frequently, causing dehydration, causing a decrease in the volume of blood in the body and decreasing blood flow. Reducing or quitting drug and alcohol use may show improvements in erectile functionality.
Seek Medical Assistance
If changes to your lifestyle have not been enough to improve your erectile functionality, you may need to seek medical or psychotherapeutic treatment. Here are some of the options below:
Urologist
A urologist is a doctor who specialises in treating difficulties with the urinary system (kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra) and the male reproductive system, which includes the penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate. Urologists can prescribe certain medications to assist and it is best for a medical professional to talk this through with you.
General Practitioner (GP)
A GP can prescribe PDE5i to assist those wanting a pharmacological treatment for their ED. GPs can also assist with running blood tests. They can check for hormonal imbalances to determine any underlying biological causes of a person’s erectile difficulties.
Seek Therapeutic Assistance
If you feel psychological factors contribute to erectile difficulties, you may benefit from talking to a therapist. Seeing a therapist can help you identify and address potential underlying issues contributing to your Erectile Dysfunction. Additionally, you may wish to consult with a sexologist. Sexologists are trained professionals and educators with a focussed understanding of human sexuality, sexual functioning, and sexual behaviour.
It is always recommended when faced with sexual difficulties that you see a trained professional. Everyone has the right to live a sexually fulfilling and satisfying life. By making healthy lifestyle changes, seeking medical treatment, and talking to a therapist, you can improve your overall health and reduce the risk of Erectile Dysfunction and mitigate any erectile difficulties you may be currently experiencing.
Remember, it is important to talk to your GP about any concerns you have about your sexual health. They can help you take the first step in finding the professional assistance you may need so you can begin to have sexually satisfying and fulfilling experiences again.
So what is a good first step to fixing Erectile Dysfunction?
Talking with our Sexologist, Daniel, is a great way to understand what might be the underlying causes of Erectile Dysfunction. Talk with him more broadly about when the issues arise. And start the journey of a better and longer lasting erectile functioning.
At Safe Place Therapy, we are experts in Sexology Counselling. Please have a read through of Daniel’s profile. You can have a private consultation in person, or online if you prefer.
