It’s not an easy topic to approach. Matters of the bedroom can be sensitive for everyone, and if you’re struggling to achieve an erection during sex this can be particularly troubling. Not only does it get in the way of enacted successful sex, it can cause mental health issues and become a sticking point in your relationships. The condition of erectile dysfunction, or ED for short, can be challenging to accept as a younger man, since the health issue is one thought to only affect older men. On the contrary, ED can affect men of all ages for various reasons, and recent self-report survey data is suggesting that the condition is becoming an increasing problem particularly among younger adults.
In this article contributed to by Pharmica online pharmacy, we explore the likely reasons for this potential increase and offer solutions to the issues.
What Causes ED?
Erectile dysfunction is caused by a lack of blood flowing to the penis upon arousal, but the cause of this can vary from person to person. Both psychological and physiological factors may come into play, and on the whole physical factors make up 80% of ED cases. This is largely due to men, as with women, becoming less fit as they age, and circulation becomes impeded. However, for younger men, physical variables only contribute to ED in about 50% of individuals, with the other half being due to mental factors.
Diet
In terms of physical factors, diet plays a big role. Obesity is rising, as is diabetes, and both of these contribute to ED. Not only that, but they can directly lead to circulation problems later in life, as junk food diets are high in saturated fat that build up in the lining of the arteries and harden them, causing narrowed blood vessels and low blood pressure, making achieving a strong erection difficult. You may also be in with a greater likelihood of developing cardiovascular disorders, and interestingly, ED can often be one of the first signs that you have a cardiovascular disease.
Stress
Everyone has stressors that cause them grief, but the severity, frequency and duration of these stressors determines how much they affect the rest of your life. Significant stress can be traumatic, and frequent daily stressors can be draining, dampening the mood and reducing libido as a consequence. Stress can make you depressed, and how you handle this with your partner will determine how much of an effect it has on your relationship and your desire to be intimate. You perhaps still want to have sex, but during sex you may find your mind start to wonder off as you become concerned with deadlines or responsibilities at work or in your personal life, and this could lead to the inability to maintain your erection.
Depression
With young people today having grown up with the internet, social media is very much a crucial part of their lives. It’s no secret that social media usage has been linked to depression and poor mental health, and these ramifications are common triggers for erectile dysfunction.
Treatment Methods
If you’re struggling to maintain an erection, we recommend that you outline the factors that are causing your ED and attempt to solve these. ED treatment can be used to obtain a solid erection in the meantime, and there are various effective medications available at pharmacies to solve your issue. Viagra is one of the most popular treatment methods, and consists of the active ingredient Sildenafil. As a vasodilator, this medication acts to widen the blood vessels in the penis, enabling sufficient blood flow. Alternatives include Tadalafil, sold under the brand Cialis, and Vardenafil, sold under the brand name Levitra.