Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) tends to affect the lives of most middle-aged men and their partners somehow or the other. The term ‘erectile dysfunction’, which was earlier called impotence, covers a wide range of sexual disorders in men, but usually refers to an inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate enough to fulfill his own sexual needs or those of his partner.

It is quite normal for changes in erectile function to occur as men progress with age. Erections may take longer to be obtained, may not be as stiff or may require more effort and stimulation to achieve. Men may also observe that their orgasms are less intense, the ejaculate volume reduced and refractory period between erections may have increased. An occasional episode of erectile dysfunction may occur to most men, but it may not affect some psychologically.

Some men experience complete and chronic erectile dysfunction, while others retain the ability of achieving partial or short erections. Frequent ED can cause emotional problems and relationship drifts, which often lead to low self confidence in both partners. Erectile dysfunction has many causes, most of which can be treated, rendering it as not an inevitable consequence of aging. Although erectile dysfunction is more common in men older than 40, it can possibly occur at any age.

Symptoms of ED

Erectile dysfunction can be categorized under the following patterns:

• Inability to achieve erections occasionally
• Inability to maintain erections during sexual intercourse
• Absolute inability to achieve erections