Erectile dysfunction

Numerous people are inconvenienced by erectile dysfunction which is the incapacity of a man to obtain or preserve an erection adequate for his sexual requirements or the requirements of his partner. The majority of men undergo this physical deficiency at some stage in their lives, generally by the time they attain the age of 40, but this phenomenon does not have any bearing on the psychology of affected individuals.

• While certain individuals undergo chronic, total erectile dysfunction or impotence, there are others who experience erections that are partial and short-lived.
• Erectile dysfunction often can lead to emotional and relationship troubles, and repeatedly results in reduced self-esteem.
• Erectile dysfunction is caused by a number of factors and the majority of them are curable.
• However it is important to note that erectile dysfunction is not a predictable outcome of aging.

The expression "erectile dysfunction" can signify the incapacity to obtain erection, an erratic capability to do so, or the capacity to attain only short-lived erections.

Occurrence of the syndrome becomes more pronounced with age. Chronic erectile dysfunction distresses nearly 5% of men in their 40s and about 15-25% of men who attain the age of 65. Transient ED and inadequate erection affect approximately 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 are bothered by transient erectile dysfunction and insufficient erection.

Ailments such as diabetes, kidney disease, alcoholism, and atherosclerosis are responsible for nearly 70% of chronic erectile dysfunction cases while psychological causes such as stress, anxiety, depression may trigger 10-20% of cases. Some men afflicted with diabetes are also plagued by erectile dysfunction

The inner structure of the penis is made up of two vascular tissue bodies that are cylindrical in shape and move all through the penis; the urethra which is a tube meant for discharging urine and ejaculation; erectile tissue contiguous to the urethra; two major arteries; and a number of veins and nerves. The shaft is the longest portion of the penis, at the terminal point of which is the head, or glans penis. The aperture at the tip of the glans, which facilitates urination and ejaculation, is the meatus.

The physiological procedure of erection commences in the brain and concerns the nervous and vascular systems. Epinephrine, acetylcholine, nitric oxide also known as neurotransmitters are some of the chemicals that sets the process in motion. Physical or psychological stimulation or arousal triggers nerves to transmit messages to the vascular system, which leads to considerable flow of blood to the penis. Two arteries in the penis supply blood to erectile tissue, which become enlarged and swell due to the augmented blood flow and pressure.

Since blood must remain in the penis to preserve rigidity, erectile tissue is enclosed by fibrous elastic sheathes that tighten to stop blood from exiting the penis at the time of erection. When stimulation concludes or in the aftermath of ejaculation, pressure in the penis diminishes and blood is discharged allowing the penis to retain its normal form.