Erectile Dysfunction and Age

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Aug 12, 2014/ 0 Comments / in Erectile Dysfunction / by
Erectile Dysfunction and Age

Erectile Dysfunction and Age

Age & ED are not interrelated, though it is more common among elderly men who might need more stimulation for sexual arousal. There may be different causes for male impotence (Erectile Dysfunction Causes | Male Sexual Impotence Causes) or erectile dysfunction other than age. In some cases, age & ED have nothing to do with each other, younger men might become impotent for other reasons. However, that doesn’t mean all old men have to accept the lack of sexual function (Performance Anxiety | Erectile Dysfunction) as something normal or as the inevitable result of becoming older. Many aged men successfully get erections and are able to enjoy sex.


Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction caused by Aging

ED is the inability to gain or hold an erection for intercourse. As a man ages, there is a reduction in testosterone level (Low Testosterone in Men) in the body, which causes changes in sexual behavior, including lack of sexual arousal and loss of libido, and results in erection problems. However, in some cases, ED might be a sign of a more serious medical condition. According to a report released by BBC Health in 2012, 70 percent of ED cases are caused due to medical reasons. Experts consider stress to be one of the key factors in a majority of age-related impotence cases.

Symptoms include persistent:

  • Loss of libido.
  • Trouble getting and keeping an erection.

Erectile Dysfunction Causes Due to Age

Though ED affects men above 40 years of age, age & ED are not correlated, and the condition might affect men at a younger age. According to a recent study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, at least one in four men seeking help for ED in an outpatient clinic was under 40 years of age, with half of these men severely suffering from a sexual condition.

The process of erection involves nervous system, vascular system, endocrine system (Endocrine System Wiki Page) and emotions. Some of the physical causes include reduction in blood flow to the penis, which affects its ability to retain blood for erection, and decline in the ability of nerves to transmit proper signals.

ED & Age Photo

Age & ED

Other conditions that might cause erectile dysfunction include:

  • Hormone disorders.
  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Blocked arteries.
  • Use of certain prescription drugs, including antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, tranquilizers, and heart disease medications.

Almost 30-50 percent of diabetic men experience erectile dysfunction.  Some lifestyle habits are also blamed for physical disorders that may affect erectile function, such as:

  • Excessive caffeine intake.
  • Drug abuse.
  • Obesity.
  • Lack of exercise.

ED is common for aged men, but it isn’t inevitable. Affecting almost 20 million men in the United States, the condition affects usually subsides when the underlying cause is treated.

ED affects self-esteem of the individual, causing them feelings of sexual insecurity, humiliation and embarrassment. Men with ED tend to avoid intimate situations with partners. They try to isolate themselves from their partner, which often has a bearing on their relationship. However, the good news is that ED treatment is possible.