No man wants to find out that he's suffering from Erectile Dysfunction. Much of the male ego stems from his virility, and for something that seems so far out of his control to come along and disrupt all of that can leave most men feeling scared, confused and ashamed. The good news, however, is that ED is no longer the mysterious, uncontrollable condition that it used to be, and many men are eager to learn more about erectile dysfunction, the better to understand, and treat the problem.



So what IS ED?

Erectile Dysfunction is defined as the repeated inability to get, or sustain an erection long enough to have sex. The emphasis here being on repeated; true erectile dysfunction is a chronic problem that has long term ramifications, both physical and mental. It can be caused by several different factors, often more than one at a time. Whether physical or psychological, ED can be difficult to define, as each cause exacerbates the other. In order to decide if you are suffering from ED take a long, hard look at yourself, starting with your physical health and then moving on to your mental state. In order to seek proper treatment, you must first understand what needs to be treated.

Know thy Enemy: Identifying ED

Erectile dysfunction is not, contrary to

what many believe, a single ailment. Instead it is a blanket term that is used in order to encompass a series of several potential maladies with similar symptoms; namely an inability to achieve or sustain an erection. ED is not a single kind of affliction, nor does it have the same causes from person to person. Therefore, in order to determine if you suffer from erectile dysfunction, it's first important to understand what ED is and is not.

Most often, what may be mistaken for ED is nothing more than an isolated incident, brought on by a variety of possible factors (fatigue, stress, alcohol etc). Premature ejaculation is another false alarm for ED. While both occur in relation to sex, and both have an adverse effect on a man's performance, and ability to sustain an erection, premature ejaculation results in a man being unable to delay or control his orgasm, whereas erectile dysfunction prevents him from having one at all. The conditions are dramatically different, as are possible treatments.

Many aging men, for instance, make the mistake of assuming they have ED when they begin to suffer a loss of sexual drive and potency past the age of 65. For older men, erections may be more difficult to induce, take longer to fully engage, and last for less time than they may be used to. Orgasms too may suffer a loss of intensity due to aging. This is an unfortunate, but natural part of the aging process, and may not mean that you are suffering from full blown erectile dysfunction. Still, even if a man is suffering from difficulties that may not qualify as full blown erectile dysfunction, he may want to consider seeking treatment anyway if he finds that it is having an adverse effect on his life. ED isn't the only thing that can lead to a loss of confidence.

The How and Why of ED:

The first step in determining whether or not you suffer from erectile dysfunction is to make an appointment with your doctor. ED can be caused by a wide range of physical ailments, that, beyond requiring medical attention to treat, may also indicate a more serious problem. In such cases ED may even be something of a blessing if it winds up serving as an early warning factor to illnesses such as kidney disease, diabetes, neurological disease, vascular disease and perhaps even prostate cancer. ED may also be caused by injury, surgery or hormonal imbalance, along with an unhealthy lifestyle that involves smoking and excessive drinking. Since everybody suffers from at least one possible risk factor, it may be necessary to consult a doctor about your erectile dysfunction, so he can run the proper tests and isolate which factors are contributing to the illness. There are several methods of treatment available once the physical causes of weakened erections have been isolated, including medications such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra.

Psychological conditions may also play a role in the onset of erectile dysfunction. Anything from depression to anxiety and sleep deprivation can lead to, or exacerbate ED. Furthermore, lowered sex drive brought on by these conditions can lead to decreased confidence and feelings of inadequacy, which in turn may lead to symptoms such as more difficulties in obtaining or holding erections, which are similar to ED. Talking with a therapist or marriage counselor is often the best treatment for these issues, which, beyond helping your erectile dysfunction, may also lead to an overall improvement in your quality of life. All too often ED is a symptom of a larger problem (or problems).

Remember, whatever solution you decide to pursue, that you need to take charge of your own erectile dysfunction. Whether age, or physical illness, or psychological difficulties, the symptoms and causes of ED are different from person to person, and only you can decide what you're comfortable with, and what is best for you. Remember, with the treatment of ED, as with all things in life, knowledge is power.

Useful Links:

http://www.prescription.md/Viagra.htm

http://www.prescription.md/Cialis.htm

http://www.prescription.md/Levitra.htm