Psychological Versus Physiological Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, affected an estimated 18.4 percent of the male population over the age of 20 in the US in 2007, according to statistics from the National Institutes of Health. Approximately $327 million was spent on diagnosis and treatment for ED that year alone. Erectile dysfunction becomes more common as men grow older, but it is not a typical part of aging for a male. ED is commonly divided into physiological and psychological root causes.

On the physiological side, many drugs such as antibiotics can cause ED. Drinkers, people who use recreational drugs, and particularly smokers, are at increased risk of experiencing ED. Disorders such as diabetes, kidney disease, nervous and brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, and prostate cancer can all lead to erectile dysfunction. Injuries, prescription drugs, and hormonal imbalances can also cause ED, even in otherwise healthy men. Having a urologist Las Vegas men rely on can make a difference in the early detection and treatment of ED.

The psychological side can be even more insidious. Stress, overwork, anxiety about lifestyle issues, and other factors can all play a role in erectile dysfunction. These factors can become even more pronounced if there is an identifiable physiological component, creating a vicious cycle where the ED leads to more stress and anxiety, intensifying the ED, leading to more stress. A man suffering from ED frequently also suffers from depression, feeling that the very essence of his manhood and virility is under attack. Confronting the problem honestly, with the aid of a caring partner and an experienced clinician, is the first step in combating ED.

There are a range of treatments available to fight back against ED, but before any treatment should be considered, a thorough physical examination is the first step. Determining what physical and psychological factors are in play in any given case of ED can help you and your doctor craft a course of treatment which will get you back to feeling like yourself. Once that’s done, there are a wide array of treatments available. Some of these treatments include medications such as Levitra and Viagra, vacuum-pump systems to increase blood flow to the penis, urethral suppositories, sex therapy, and counseling to assist in overcoming the effects of ED.

For the treatment of ED or any other urological or male reproductive issue, Dr. Michael S. Kapland, MD, is one of the premier doctors for urological health issues and vasectomies Las Vegas men know and trust. ED can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but confronting the problem head-on is the quickest and easiest solution.