I'm Dr. Matthew Ziegelmann,
a urologist at Mayo Clinic.
In this video, we'll cover
the basics of erectile dysfunction.
What is it?
Who gets it? The symptoms,
diagnosis, and the treatments.
Whether you're looking for answers for
yourself or for someone you love,
we're here to give you
the best information available.
Erectile dysfunction,
also known as impotence,
is defined by difficulty
getting and keeping an erection.
It can be an embarrassing thing to talk about.
It's been reported that more than half
of men between the ages of
40 and 70 experience some form of ED.
So take comfort in knowing
that you are not alone.
Experiencing difficulty with erections from
time to time is usually no cause for concern.
But ongoing issues can cause stress,
it can affect self-confidence,
and it can contribute
to relationship problems.
Sometimes it may indicate
an underlying condition.
The bottom line is
that if you experience ED,
you should talk about it with
your doctor, even if you're embarrassed,
because we have a number of
ways that we can effectively treat
erectile dysfunction. ED can be
caused by physical or psychological issues.
Sexual arousal is a complicated process.
It involves your brain, your hormones,
your nerves, your muscles,
and your blood vessels.
A hiccup in any of these can cause a problem.
The fact is that erectile dysfunction
affects men of all ages.
However, as you get older,
your risk can increase.
This is not only because
erections take longer to develop,
but also that other
contributing factors may come into play.
Physical issues like heart disease,
high cholesterol,
high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity,
and smoking can all
cause erectile dysfunction.
On the other hand, depression,
anxieties, stress,
relationship problems,
and other mental health concerns can
also interfere with sexual feelings.
And this can cause or
worsen your erectile problems.
Often, it's a bit of both.
So it's important to understand
one's physical and psychological state
to know the underlying cause
of one's erectile dysfunction.
Unlike a lot of medical conditions,
the symptoms of erectile dysfunction
are rather straightforward. If you have
persistent trouble getting
or keeping an erection,
you might have erectile dysfunction.
If you're dealing with any of these symptoms,
a family doctor or
an internist is usually
a good place to start.
Usually, the hardest part of
diagnosing erectile dysfunction is
overcoming that embarrassment that
comes with talking about your ED.
But once you talk to your doctor,
you'll find that it's common, and
a diagnosis can happen
quickly. For many people,
a physical exam and answering
some basic questions about
your medical history is all that is needed.
If you have chronic health conditions or
your doctor suspects an
underlying condition might be involved,
you could need further tests or
a consultation with
a specialist such as me.
Millions of men are able to
successfully treat
their erectile dysfunction.
Oral prescription medications
are one popular route.
Taking medications does not
automatically produce an erection.
These tablets amplify
the effects of nitric oxide.
This is a chemical that your body
produces that relaxes muscles in the penis.
Sexual stimulation releases this chemical
and these medications enhance its effect,
allowing for an erection.
Other less common,
but effective, medications for
ED include
self-injections or urethral suppositories.
If medications aren't effective,
your doctor may recommend
a vacuum penis pump.
This device uses a hollow tube to create
a vacuum that pulls blood into your penis.
Penile implants are another option
and involve surgically placing a device
that allows the penis to
achieve an erection. If
your ED is impacting
your mental health or your relationship,
your doctor may also recommend that you and
your partner visit a psychologist
or a sexual therapist.
What your treatment ultimately
looks like depends on
the cause and severity
of your erectile dysfunction,
as well as any underlying
health condition that may be present.
Your doctor will be able to work with
you to find the right solution.
Erectile dysfunction can be
an uncomfortable topic to
discuss with your doctor,
with your partner and with your friends.
But don't assume that you're alone.
Involve your partner, and communicate
openly and honestly about your condition.
Try to remember that it's very common.
And more importantly, it's very treatable.
If you'd like to learn more
about erectile dysfunction,
here are some other related videos.
Or you can visit MayoClinic.org.
We wish you well.