?Not tonight darling, I have a headache.? If this is coming from you rather than your wife, then, buddy, you have got a problem. And it may very well be erectile dysfunction, commonly referred to as impotence. But take heart, you are not the only one. This condition affects almost thirty million men in America alone! So, if you are failing to ?rise to the occasion?, don't despair, fixing erectile dysfunction is likely possible.

Defining the problem

The problem faced with regard to the ?private member? may vary within the realm of erectile dysfunction. There may be a complete failure in achieving an erection or there may be inconsistency in achieving it or, it may be achieved only for brief periods. This variation is what makes it difficult to put an estimate on this problem afflicting ?mankind?. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, for every thousand men there were twenty-two suffering from erectile dysfunction in the year 1999. Certainly, this is delightful news for the producers of Viagra. However, fixing erectile dysfunction can be performed in many different ways.

Achieving erection

Before considering the causes or fixing of erectile dysfunction, let us see how an erection is achieved. The penis contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins and arteries. Once the person become sexually aroused through sensory means or by mental stimulation, or both, the brain and local nerves ?order? the muscles in the penis to relax. This allows the blood to rush in to fill the spaces, making the penis expand. Once erect, the penis, through an inbuilt mechanism, traps the blood to sustain the erection. After the ?act? the muscles in the penis contract pushing the blood out bringing the member back to its original size. It is quite evident that any disruption anywhere in the chain of events can cause this condition so fixing erectile dysfunction maybe necessary.

Causes of erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by:

a. Problem in nerve impulses from the brain and spinal column or muscle response in penis.

b. Damage to the nerves, arteries, smooth muscles and fibrous tissues.

c. Diseases such as diabetes, kidney diseases, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis and the like.

d. Surgery, especially those of prostate and bladder, which may damage nerves and arteries around the penis.

e. Hormonal abnormalities, such as not enough testosterone.

f. Some blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants and others.

g. Psychological factors, like stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure. This happens in ten to twenty percent of the cases.

h. Other possible causes are smoking, which affects blood flow in veins and arteries.

Treatment for erectile dysfunction

Doctors fixing erectile dysfunction usually proceed from least to most invasive. They first cut back on non-erectile dysfunction drugs with harmful side effects (which may include erectile dysfunction). They then consider psychotherapy and behavior modifications, if indicated, followed by oral or locally injected drugs, vacuum devices, and surgically implanted devices. In rare cases, surgery involving veins or arteries may be considered when fixing erectile dysfunction.

In conclusion, this condition is not something that you have to live with all your life. Fixing erectile dysfunction is very possible. Only you need to overcome inhibitions and be bold enough to approach a health professional.