Do You Have Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)?

Before you can entertain the question of whether or not you are impotent , you should at least understand how your penis works and what erectile dysfunction (ED) actually is. The simplified definition is: The inability to maintain an erection firm enough for satisfying sexual activity. 

This simplified but very broad definition is a frequently misunderstood and subjective mouthful. In this article we are going to give you a good understanding of this dysfunction and what may or may not be going on inside of your physical sexual health. Although this article will touch more on the physical aspects, we are not ignoring the psychological effects.

Oftentimes, men will occasionally experience an erection that doesn’t last and then sound the mental alarms out of worry or panic. This isn’t a real cause for huge concern as several small reasons that are not erectile dysfunction may be to blame.

Flaccid vs. Erect Penis

Before taking a deeper dive into ED, let’s first go over the basics. Flaccid vs erect penis: A flaccid penis is a penis that is relaxed, whereas an erect penis is an aroused, blood-filled penis. During sexual arousal, blood vessels in the penis relax and then open up, allowing them to fill with blood. When blood is trapped under high pressure, an erection is the result. The erectile tissue of the penis is made up of elastic fibers, collagen, smooth muscles, arteries, and veins. All of these things together allow the penis to become erect. With age, however, the penis can lose tissue elasticity and in turn may affect how well and how long the penis stretches. People may also experience inflammation and reduced blood flow to the penis as they age, which can affect an erection as well.

Causes Of Erection  

There are a few reasons that a man can experience an erection, but the two most common reasons are due to physical or emotional stimulation. Physical stimulation such as touch is a reflex erection and emotional stimulation is induced by thought, also known as a psychogenic erection. In contrast to a healthy erection, ED can be induced by psychological or organic (physical reasons). Organic reasons include physical ailments such as hypertension, neurological problems from diabetes, or hormonal dysfunctions like low testosterone. Although these are the usual suspects that cause ED, there is no specific test to diagnose the condition, so evaluating and concluding if a man is suffering from ED is heavily reliant on the sexual experiences of the individual male, coupled with a questioning of physiological stressors, blood tests, urine tests, and physical exams. 

ED Is Not Just A Problem For Older Men

Please understand that ED is a serious sexual dysfunction suffered by men of all ages and from all walks of life. A problem once believed to be the sole burden of old men, ED is no longer the “grandpa disease;” rather, it is now the potential burden of all men. To demonstrate this fact, a collection of contemporary evidence and large multinational studies have come to prove this truth. Studies have estimated that ED is more present in the younger and younger men. Studies also show that ED is a huge problem for young men under the age of 39; in fact, that rate is as high as 52% and growing.

Surprised by this information? Well, hold on to your seat. What’s even more surprising is that ED has become such a common condition in young men that having ED is no longer a surprise. What’s also surprising is the highly ignored fact that 79% of men with ED have a BMI that exceeds 25 – a common factor among men who overindulge in foods in the Standard American Diet (SAD). That means they consume more fast and processed foods no matter which country they live in. Processed foods and fast or fried foods are not just abundant in America; rather, these foods are everywhere. 

How Health Relates To ED

As of 2021, around 30 million men in the United States alone were found to be actively suffering from various forms of ED, experiencing mild to severe symptoms. Some of the top sources of physiological issues include bad dental hygiene, heart disease, obesity, alcoholism, estrogenic filled diets (such as soy products), and diabetes. It’s a well-known fact that diabetes can affect anyone of any age, weight, race, or sex, but did you know that diabetes is one of leading physical causes of ED? This is due to the nerve damage and restrictive blood flow to the penis.  

While we have focused predominantly on physical causes of ED, we must let you know that an important health concern can negatively affect a man’s psychosocial well-being. ED can also be attributed to a psychological hindrance, including depression, anxiety, and partner-related difficulties. Men who suffer mental trauma from their ED concerns experience an even greater loss as it spills over into their everyday lives. The most frightening aspect of this is that these men tend to experience a sudden onset of symptoms, with decreased libido and reduced quality of spontaneous or self-stimulated or partner-induced erections. 

What Can You Do About This?

First off, keep in mind that you are not alone. Sword Vitality is here for you, so you don’t have to be stuck with the burden of ED. Secondly, you may want to have a careful diagnostic evaluation with a focus on the identification of any underlying conditions to ensure appropriate management, or pay a visit to your choice of health practitioner to help determine the root cause. Thirdly, you can opt to exercise an herbal self-care regimen. Whatever you choose to do, Sword Vitality aims to be a resource for you.