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Language matters

“We use the term male and female to refer to someone’s sex as determined by their chromosomes, and men and women to refer to their gender, unless we quote from nonspecific language.”

Sex and gender can be different between time periods and cultures. Both aspects are acknowledged to exist on a spectrum.

An erection involves the brain, nerves, hormones, muscles, and circulatory system. These systems work together to fill the erectile tissue in the penis with blood.

A male with erectile dysfunction (ED) has trouble getting or maintaining an erection for sexual intercourse. Some males with ED are completely unable to get an erection. Others have trouble maintaining an erection for more than a short time.

ED is more prevalent among older males, according to research, but it also affects younger males in large numbers.

“There are many possible causes of ED, and most of them are treatable. Learn more about ED’s causes and how it’s treated.”

The University of Wisconsin reports an approximate correlation between the percentage of males affected by mild and moderate ED and their decade in life. In other words, approximately 50 percent of males in their 50s and 60 percent of males in their 60s have mild ED.

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that ED is more common among younger males than previously thought.

ED affects 26 percent of adult males under 40 years old. Almost half of these people had ED, while only 40 percent of older males had ED.

Researchers also noted that younger males with ED were more likely than older males with ED to smoke or use illegal drugs.

You may feel uncomfortable discussing ED with your doctor. However, having an honest conversation is worth it, as facing the problem head-on can lead to proper diagnosis and treatment.

Your doctor will request your complete medical and psychological history. They’ll also perform a physical exam and order certain lab tests, including a testosterone level test.

ED has several potential physical and psychological causes. In some cases, ED can be an early sign of a serious health condition.

Heart problems

Getting and keeping an erection requires healthy circulation. Clogged arteries — a condition known as atherosclerosis — is one possible cause of ED.

High blood pressure can also lead to ED.

Diabetes

ED can be a sign of diabetes. This is because high levels of blood glucose can damage blood vessels, including those responsible for supplying blood to the penis during an erection.

Obesity

Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes and hypertension. For young males who are overweight, taking steps to lose excess weight can be helpful in reducing their risk of ED.

Hormonal disorders

Hormonal disorders, such as low testosterone, may contribute to ED. Another possible hormonal cause of ED is increased production of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland.

Additionally, an abnormally high or low thyroid hormone level can result in ED. Young males who use steroids to help build muscle mass are at a higher risk for ED.

The feelings of sexual excitement that lead to an erection start in the brain. Conditions such as depression and anxiety can interfere with that process. One major sign of depression is withdrawal from things that once brought pleasure, including sexual intercourse.

Job-related stress, money, and other life events can contribute to ED, too. Relationship problems such as poor communication with a partner can also cause sexual dysfunction in both males and females.

Substance use disorder is another common cause of ED among young males.

Treating the cause of ED may help resolve the problem. Lifestyle changes and natural remedies can make a positive difference for some males. Others benefit from:

According to recent guidelines published by the American Urological Association, certain groups of males may need specialized testing and evaluation to help shape their treatment plans. These groups include young males and males of any age with a strong family history of heart disease.

“ED can be a sign of other health problems so it’s not advised to ignore it.”

Healthy lifestyle changes

Eating a nutrient-dense diet, getting more exercise, and losing any excess weight may help minimize the problems caused by ED. Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol use is not only helpful for your overall health, but it may also specifically help with ED.

If you’re considering natural remedies such as herbs, talk with your doctor before trying them.

Communication with your partner is also essential. Performance anxiety can affect and even worsen other causes of ED.

A therapist or other mental health professional may be able to help you. Treating depression, for example, may help resolve ED and bring about additional benefits as well.

Oral medications

Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are prescription drugs that can help treat ED. These There are medications.are recommended before more invasive treatments are considered.

PDE5 can interfere with NO. NO helps open the blood vessels in the penis to increase blood flow and produce an erection.

There are four PDE5 drugs on the market.

Side effects may include:

Only a licensed healthcare professional can prescribe oral medication for ED. You can talk with your doctor or some companies like Roman and Lemonaid have doctors available online who can prescribe ED medication. These companies also allow you to buy the medication directly from them.

Find Roman ED medication online.

Intracavernosal injections

The penis is injected with Alprostadil 5 to 20 minutes before sex. It can be used up to three times a week. You should wait at least 24 hours between injections.

Alprostadil, phentolamine, and papaverine are prescribed and may be more effective than alprostadil alone.

Side effects may include pain and burning in the genital area, as well as injection site pain and scarring.

Intraurethral suppositories

“Alprostadil is a suppository for men. MUSE is a system for Erections. It should be used before sex. It’s a good idea to avoid using it more than two times in a day.”

There are side effects that can include pain and burning.

Testosterone

testosterone therapy may be used for males who have low testosterone. Testosterone is available in a variety of forms.

Side effects may include:

Vacuum constriction devices

Other treatment options may be considered if There are medications.aren’t entirely successful. Vacuum constriction devices are generally safe and effective.

The cylinder is placed over the penis. A vacuum is created. This leads to an erection. The cylinder is removed from the penis after a band is placed around it. The band must be taken off after a while.

Surgery

A last resort measure for males with ED is the implantation of a penile prosthesis.

Simple models allow the penis to bend downward. The implants allow fluid to fill the implant and form an erection.

There are risks associated with any surgery. It should only be considered after other strategies have failed.

Another surgical option is a rare ED treatment called vas deferis surgery, which aims to improve blood flow in the penis.

Male athletes experience trouble achieving or maintaining an erection from time to time. Changes to diet and lifestyle can contribute to ED in younger people. If you are having these issues in a majority of your sexual encounters over a few weeks, it may be worth contacting your doctor to discuss a larger underlying health issue.

Your doctor can run a series of tests to rule out other factors, discuss your concerns, and look at any recent changes in your daily routine that may be related to your problem. ED is not an inevitable stage of aging for younger males, and it is important to keep in mind.

Discussing your experiences with your doctor is a good way to not only begin ED treatments, but it could also potentially catch some underlying cardiovascular conditions before they can develop into larger issues.

How common is ED in males under 40?

Some research suggests that around 26 percent of males under 40 years old have erectile dysfunction. It’s important to note that many of these people also smoke or use illegal drugs.

Another study found that in healthy and fit males under 40 years old, only 14 percent of them have complaints of erectile dysfunction.

What natural ED remedies are effective in young males?

There are many natural remedies for erectile dysfunction that your doctor might recommend, and most of them consist of lifestyle changes. These changes may include:

  • Making changes to diet.
  • The quality of sleep is being improved.
  • attending therapy sessions
  • Reducing alcohol and drug use.
  • Reducing stress is important.
  • getting exercise

Can young males reverse erectile dysfunction?

In many cases — yes, erectile dysfunction can be reversed in young people. Whenever a young person experiences difficulty becoming erect or keeping their erection for an entire sexual encounter, the causes might include a sudden lifestyle shift or some other change to their daily routine.

If you are aware of your stress level and taking care of your sleep and nutrition, you can help your symptoms go away over time.

If your health issue is tied to your sexual issues, it may not be as easy to fix. ED could be one of the early warning signs that these issues are not as obvious. If you experience ED-related symptoms over a period of a few weeks, it is recommended to talk with your doctor.

Can you become dependent on Viagra if you take it for too long?

Viagra medication is not physically addictive. However, it is possible to become psychologically dependent on these There are medications.if not used in the appropriate setting and under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Like with most prescription medications, exceeding the recommended dosage or taking the medication more frequently than prescribed can cause side effects or health complications that wouldn’t usually occur when used as prescribed.

A 2002 review discussed one fatal instance of a Viagra overdose where autopsy results showed a medication concentration in the blood over four times the recommended level. So, while dependency and overdose aren’t really possible when used as prescribed, there can be very severe consequences from overuse.

ED can be a topic that can be hard to discuss with a younger male. It is worth remembering that you are not alone and that help is available. ED is a condition that millions of other males are dealing with.

It is important to seek treatment for ED because it may be a sign of other health problems. It is possible to directly address the condition with your doctor.