Erectile dysfunction with age: Having erectile dysfunction in the middle to late adulthood can be very frustrating. However, there are several things that you can do to help yourself overcome this problem.
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Erectile dysfunction with age – Smoking
Getting an erection requires a healthy blood supply. Smoking restricts blood flow to the organs, which can prevent erections. The relationship between smoking and erectile dysfunction has been well documented, and the relationship is stronger in older men.
One of the more well-known vasoconstrictors is nicotine. Nicotine increases blood pressure, which helps to constrict blood vessels. Smoking is known to lead to various health problems, including heart disease and cancer. Smoking cessation is known to reduce erectile dysfunction symptoms.
A study found that smokers have a higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction than non-smokers. This risk increased with the number of cigarettes smoked.
Men who smoked at least a pack per day were 39 per cent more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than non-smokers. The same risk increased for those who switched to vaping.
Erectile dysfunction with age – Peyronie’s disease
Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include pain during erections and difficulty maintaining an erection. It can cause significant stress and anxiety and affect patients’ quality of life. However, it is a treatable condition.
Peyronie’s disease is caused by scar tissue build-up underneath the skin of the penis. It occurs after trauma to the penis, or it may develop without any trauma.
Peyronie’s disease occurs most often in middle-aged and older men. It is thought to be inherited, but researchers have yet to fully explain the etiology. Several risk factors have been suggested. Men with certain connective tissue disorders, or those with diabetes, are at increased risk.
The disease is also linked to Dupuytren’s contracture, which causes the palms of the hands to flatten out. A physical examination can identify the presence of Peyronie’s disease. A healthcare provider may use dynamic ultrasound imaging to show the location of plaques and blood flow in the penis. If the penis is curved, medication or surgery may be used to make it straight.
Erectile dysfunction with age – CNS lesions
Several studies have shown an association between erectile function loss and ischemic lesions in different brain areas. One study used a voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping to quantify erectile dysfunction in patients with stroke.
Voxels were extracted from the AAL atlas and overlayed on the MNI space. Voxels in the right occipital region, middle occipital gyrus, thalamus, and fusiform gyrus were associated with erectile dysfunction. The association was also seen with regions in the right and left temporo-parietal cortex. Statistical analyses revealed that larger clusters of lesioned voxels were associated with deterioration in erectile function after stroke. The voxels were normalized by lesion masked cost function technique.
Erectile dysfunction with age – Physical inactivity
Increasing physical activity is essential for a healthy lifestyle. The World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a target to reduce physical inactivity by 2030. However, policy solutions must be adapted to a country’s social and cultural conditions.
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. In high-income countries, 28% of adults 18 and older were not physically active enough. In low-income countries, 12% were insufficiently active. This increased the risk of death by 20% to 30%.
Studies have shown that physical inactivity is associated with erectile dysfunction in men. However, several studies have also shown that physical activity can protect against erectile dysfunction. These studies investigated the association of physical inactivity and erectile dysfunction with age.
Erectile dysfunction with age – Emotional issues
ED can harm a man’s mental health. This can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem. ED can also affect the relationship between a man and his partner. This can result in a decrease in the amount of time spent together.
ED is more common in men as they age. This can be attributed to several different factors. These include relationship problems, stress, and other health issues. Some of these can be life-threatening, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Emotional issues can play a major role in erectile dysfunction. Depression, anxiety, and guilt can all lead to impotence. In some cases, these emotional problems can be treated with medical treatment.
Stress can be caused by problems at home or at work. In addition, money-related stress can cause anxiety. Stress can also result from marital issues or conflict with your partner.
Conclusion
Having erectile dysfunction in middle to late adulthood can be very frustrating. There are several things you can do to help yourself overcome this problem. If the penis is curved, medication or surgery may help to make it straight. Voxels in the right occipital region, thalamus, and fusiform gyrus were associated with erectile dysfunction.
Large clusters of lesioned voxels were also associated with deterioration in erectile function after a stroke. ED is more common in men as they age and can be attributed to several factors, including smoking, inactivity, stress, relationship and emotional issues.
