Erectile dysfunction can affect men of any age, and it’s never a good time. While the condition is most notably thought to affect older men, the truth is that young men, middle-aged men and yes, older men, can all experience the effects of erectile dysfunction. While it may be caused by a treatable condition like high blood pressure, or due in part to certain lifestyle habits, it’s important to talk to your doctor if impotence is affecting your sexual relationship and your ability to have sex successfully.
These are some common things that you should keep in mind that could be to blame for your erectile dysfunction:
You may have an underlying condition
A neurological disorder, diabetes, or high blood pressure are just some of the conditions that can affect you and possibly cause erectile dysfunction. Hormonal imbalances, like those associated with type 1 diabetes, can affect your ability to manage your insulin, but type 2 diabetes is more commonly related with nerve damage, which could be another reason for ED. You might, however, want to seek medical attention if you suspect a more serious problem could be behind your ED. If you suspect you may have suffered a stroke or other neurological episode, talk to a doctor immediately.
Anxiety
Your erectile dysfunction could actually be all mental, and perhaps not even be a physical issue. Maybe you have anxiety about being with a new sexual partner, about your ability in the bedroom – or maybe just a lot of stress at work. Regardless, this can affect your sexual performance. Other mental issues that could be causing ED are depression and fatigue. Talk with your urologist about whether this might be the cause, and they can help rule out any physical causes and get you on the path towards therapy.
Your medication
If you have had cancer and were treated with chemotherapy in the past, that itself could lead to potential erectile dysfunction. If you are taking beta-blockers for heart issues or anti-depressants for anxiety or depression, these are all common causes of lowering your sex drive and affecting your ability to get and successfully maintain an erection.
Your lifestyle
Are you getting enough sleep? Lifestyle choices like lack of sleep, alcohol or drug abuse could affect a person’s ability to maintain an erection or have sex successfully. Abusing drugs like amphetamines or cocaine are common causes of impotence, while alcoholism can affect your erection directly.
If you suspect you might be suffering from erectile dysfunction, talk to an expert today about possible causes and solutions. Call Dr. Desi Avila at (480) 961-2323 to schedule a consultation, or request one online.
