What does Erectile Dysfunction mean?

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or Impotence is the lack or failure of having an erection hard enough to have sex. An erection is a hydraulic effect of blood passing trough and being absorbed by sponge-like bodies within the penis. The erection often begins as a result of sexual arousal which later on the signals are sent form the brain to the nerves in the penis. If this is something that occasionally happens there’s no need of worrying since it may be caused by stress or relationship issues. However if this condition persist, you must seek medical help so this can be evaluated and treated, in many cases this is a result of poor blood level in the heart or Not stabilized or treated diabetes, drug´s side effect, or a neurological problem. Treating an underlying problem could be the cure or solution for Erectile Dysfunction, otherwise medication can be another solution.

Other risk factors can contribute to ED including:

• The use of tobacco
• Medication such as antidepressants, antihistamines and medication for pain, prostate cancer or high blood pressure
• Alcohol and drug use
• Extended time bicycling which compresses the nerves in the penis causing temporary Impotence.
• Cancer radiations and/or Prostate surgery

besides a low self esteem, ED can cause marital problems, anxiety, issues to get your partner pregnant, stress and unsatisfactory sexual life.


Tests and Diagnosis:

Though sometimes is only a matter of answering some medical history questions and an examination to detect ED. In order to diagnose someone with ED there are certain tests for this purpose:

Physical examination: a deep examination of the testicles and penis.

Blood Test: used to determine if person suffers from diabetes, heart disease, or another problem.

Urine tests (urinalysis): just like the Blood test, this will examine if there’s diabetes, or underlying problem

Ultrasound: used to check the blood flow in your penis.

Overnight erection test: most men have erection while sleeping and do not remember it. This test consists of putting a special tape around the penis before going to bed, if the tape is separated it means you had an erection at night and do not suffer of ED and maybe the cause is different. If it is intact most likely you suffer from ED.

Lets clarify that if you do not have a nocturnal erection means necessarily that you have ED, a great portion of men do not have nocturnal erection and do not have erectile dysfunction.