Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is often defined as the inability to produce and keep an erection firm and hard enough for sexual activity.
While it’s perfectly normal to run into erection issues every once in a while – it happens to the best of us – persistent erection issues that happen constantly or more than one out of two times every occasion, you might have a case of full-blown ED. ED can be an acute or chronic condition requiring treatment.
Fortunately, ED is a widely common condition affecting over 150 million individuals globally, but one that is highly treatable.
Let’s discuss how common ED is based on statistical findings, and determine its causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches.
The stats on ED: how common is it?
ED affects 30 million men in the United States alone, and over 150 million men worldwide. By 2025, according to estimates published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, ED is expected to affect approximately 320 million men.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Clinics mention that one in ten men is expected to run into erectile dysfunction problems at least once in their lifetimes.
Globally, ED affects anywhere from 3% to 76.5% of all men, with the variance caused by differing measures of ED used across studies.
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
What are the most common causes of ED?
ED can be caused by physical and mental health factors such as:
- Medical conditions involving the cardiovascular, endocrine, or neurological systems – in particular, systems related to or affecting blood flow to the penis
- Side effects from taking certain kinds of medicines such as antihypertensives, antidepressants, sedatives, and chemotherapy
- Emotional and psychological distress linked to anxiety, obsession, or excessive worry about sexual performance
- Habits linked to ED such as living a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, recreational drug use, and lack of exercise, just to name a few
What are the risk factors linked to ED?
Let’s take a deeper dive into the risk factors that raise an individual’s risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Here are some of the main ones:
- Hypertension. Up to 50% of individuals with high blood pressure were found to have developed ED.
- High blood cholesterol levels. Medications used to treat high blood cholesterol levels known as statins helped improve erectile function in patients.
- Age. A man’s chances of experiencing ED increases exponentially with age, especially in men aged 60 years old and above.
- Diabetes. Between 35% and 90% of individuals with type 2 diabetes are likely to develop ED.
- Smoking tobacco. Studies show that smokers are 1.5 times more likely to develop ED than their nonsmoker counterparts.
- Low testosterone levels (hypogonadism). Hypogonadism is a medical condition where the body is unable to produce enough testosterone and other sex hormones. And since testosterone is a crucial element in male reproductive and sexual function, men with low testosterone may need to treat their underlying condition and experience improvements.
- Being obese or overweight. Individuals with a body mass index greater than 25 are thrice as likely to develop ED compared to individuals with a lower index.
- Depression, stress, and anxiety. Individuals diagnosed with depression are twice as likely to develop ED. Meanwhile, individuals with anxiety issues related to sexual performance may experience sexual dysfunction.
Other medical conditions linked to ED
Besides cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and low testosterone levels, the following conditions have demonstrable links to ED:
- Atherosclerosis, or the buildup of arterial plaque that hardens the arteries and prevents optimal blood flow
- The spinal cord, penile, bladder, prostate, or pelvic trauma
- Chronic renal diseases
- Multiple sclerosis
- Peyronie’s disease, a condition arising from scar tissue developing in the penis, creating curved, painful erections
Getting ED medication has never been easier
Connect with a US-licensed healthcare provider for a FREE evaluation!
Free Express
Shipping
Discreet
Shipping
No Waiting
Rooms
How is ED treated?
ED treatment comes in a variety of ways, and your particular approach will depend on the primary cause of your ED symptoms. And since ED affects not just men, but also their partners, it might be worth considering bringing them into the conversation. Here are the main forms of ED treatment:
- Implementing lifestyle and habit changes. Ceasing or cutting down recreational alcohol, tobacco, and drug use may help improve symptoms in men with ED. Regular exercise and keeping a healthy body weight may also do the same.
- Psychological/emotional counseling. Psychological and emotional factors may play a big role in some cases of ED. This calls for consulting a mental health professional that can help determine ways to handle anxiety and work through relationship or mental issues that may be hindering a person’s sex life and sexual performance.
- Medicines for ED. Ora; ED medications known as PDE5 inhibitors, as well as ED medicines introduced intravenously or as a suppository are safe and proven ways to treat ED. For individuals whose ED is caused by low testosterone, testosterone therapy may be recommended.
- Using devices and undergoing medical procedures. Vacuum-powered devices such as penis pumps can also be employed as an ED treatment. So can procedures such as arterial repair surgery, where plaque buildup in the blood vessels in the penis is cleared to help boost blood flow back into it. In rarer cases, penile implants might be recommended.
The final word on erectile dysfunction (ED) and its prevalence
There’s no question that ED can be tricky to navigate for both men and their sexual partners. However, there isn’t any reason why you can’t treat it and improve your erectile health and function. While talking about erectile issues may be unsettling, it’s still a key part of your overall health. Consult a doctor if you suspect you might have ED.
