Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

Did you know that 40% of Spanish men claim to have suffered episodes of erectile dysfunction?

And not only that; 80% of Spanish men consider it normal to suffer from this type of problem at some point in their lives. These are the conclusions drawn from the study carried out by the American Medical System (AMS) on the sexual and pelvic health of Spanish men. Another of the most relevant conclusions is that 91% of Spaniards do not fully understand what exactly erectile dysfunction is and what it entails..

What is erectile dysfunction or sexual dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunctionis the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough to have satisfactory sexual intercourse.

Dr. Juan Ignacio Martínez Salamanca, urologist in ​​the Sexual Medicine department at Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda University Hospital (Madrid), explained that "There are various causes that increase these episodes, such as a sedentary lifestyle, stress, low testosterone, etc." What is clear is that if you suffer from these episodes, there is a reason behind them.

Erectile dysfunction or sexual dysfunction  is not just a sexual health problem, it can also be a symptom of other undiagnosed diseases such as metabolic or cardiovascular diseases.

Other studies carried out in various countries conclude that erectile dysfunction affects more than 50% of men over 40 years of age, and in Spain the figure sits at 25%.

Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

1. Difficulty obtaining an erection.
2. Difficulty maintaining an erection throughout sexual intercourse.
3. Inability to maintain satisfactory sexual relations.
4. These symptoms must be present for at least 3 months.
5. There should be no association with recent trauma or surgery.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

The causes of erectile dysfunction are:

• Hypogonadism or low testosterone: The main cause of erectile dysfunction is hormonal. You can quickly check your testosterone levels with this online testosterone test.

• Other hormonal causes: Hyperprolactinemia (excessive increase in prolactin).

• Vascular: This is a fairly prevalent cause as it encompasses diseases such as Diabetes, Ischemic Heart Disease, Smoking, High Blood Pressure, Hypercholesterolemia, Peripheral Vascular Disease and any risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

• Pharmacological: Numerous drugs can cause erectile dysfunction, but here are some of the most notable: certain types of antidepressants, psychotropics, Digoxin, Antiandrogenics (directly affect testosterone), Beta-blockers (most commonly used in High Blood Pressure, Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure) and Diuretics (similar use to beta-blockers).

• Latrogenic: As a consequence of some medical and surgical procedures such as radical prostatectomy or pelvic radiotherapy.

• Neurological: Neurogenic erectile dysfunction of central origin can be found in tumors, strokes, encephalitis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating diseases, dementia, olivopontocerebellar degeneration and epilepsy. Myelopathies are a frequent cause of peripheral nervous system disorders.

• Trauma: Specifically on the pelvic region, from a traffic accident (car, motorcycle and bicycle), direct trauma due to aggression, accidental sports kick, and a straddle fall (open legs).

Insights into and consequences of erectile dysfunction

• Up to 52% of men experience some degree of erectile dysfunction during their lifetime.
• It is most common between the ages of 40 and 70.
• It causes great dissatisfaction and detriment to your sex life.
• It affects your quality of life and that of your partner.
• Frustration in searching for better erections.
• It can compromise your mental and emotional health.
• The main hormonal cause of Erectile Dysfunction is a low level of testosterone.
• There are effective solutions, such as TRT.

Is there a solution for erectile dysfunction?

Yes, there is a solution. As we have mentioned before, one of the causes most attributed to this type of problems is testosterone deficiency.

Testosterone is a male hormone that plays a fundamental role in men's health. It is responsible for typical male sexual characteristics and is necessary for a man's physical, sexual and mental health. The medical term is testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS), and it is from the age of 40 onwards that it becomes more relevant in the male body.

At Low T Center, we are specialists in treating erectile dysfunction caused by testosterone deficiency.  Contact us today; your problem has a solution.