What exactly is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, occurs when you are persistently unable to get or maintain a firm erection for satisfying sex.

If it doesn't work out, it's not a disaster — that happens to everyone sometimes. But if it happens more often, it can significantly affect your self-esteem, cause stress and anxiety, and even affect your relationship.

Does it feel like you're the only one with this problem? That's really not the case [1-3] *:

• 52% of men over 40 experience some form of erectile dysfunction
• 26% of men under 40 have erectile dysfunction
• Only 1 in 10 men with erectile dysfunction seeks professional help, despite the availability of effective treatments

* These percentages may be higher because many men do not seek help out of shame.

Erectile dysfunction is therefore not doing your sex life and quality of life any good. The good news: there are treatments, such as medication, that have proven successful in resolving erectile dysfunction. Research shows that 8 out of 10 men experience improvement with treatment [4].

Erectile dysfunction is fairly easy to treat in most cases. You can do it without obligation fill out our questionnaire to see if you are eligible for medication that will help you solve the problem quickly.

In short: Erectile dysfunction occurs when you are persistently unable to get or maintain a firm erection for satisfying sex. Many men suffer from this and in most cases it is treatable.

Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

The symptoms of erectile dysfunction are diverse and may vary from person to person. For example, one person may get an erection but not keep it long enough to orgasm, and another person may not have an erection at all.

The following are common symptoms of erectile dysfunction:

• Trouble getting an erection
• Trouble maintaining an erection
• Decreased libido

Here are other symptoms that may be related to erectile dysfunction:

• Too early ejaculation
• Delayed ejaculation
• Inability to ejaculate

If you experience (any of) these symptoms, especially if they persist for more than three months, or if you are concerned, it is recommended that contacting a healthcare provider to determine which treatment is best for you.

In short: Symptoms of erectile dysfunction vary and may vary from person to person. Common symptoms of erectile dysfunction include difficulty getting and/or maintaining an erection and decreased libido.

10 causes of erectile dysfunction

When you get an erection, there are many mechanisms involved, including:

• brains
• Hormones
• Emotions
• Nerves
• Muscles
• Blood vessels

Is there a problem with any of these factors? Then erectile dysfunction can occur. There are therefore various causes of erectile dysfunction, including the 10 most important and common ones.

1. Problem with blood flow to the penis

Decreased blood flow to the penis is often the result of an underlying condition that affects blood vessels, such as:

‍atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis): Constriction and stiffness of the blood vessels due to accumulation of fat and calcium deposits.

‍Chronic metabolic disorders: Disorders that disrupt blood sugar levels, which can lead to damage to blood vessels and nerves.

‍Hormonal imbalance: Abnormalities in hormone levels, such as testosterone deficiency, that may affect blood circulation and erectile function.

2. Psychological factors

Psychological factors that can lead to erectile dysfunction include:

• Depression
• Performance pressure
• Relationship issues
• High porn consumption
• General anxiety
• Fear of intimacy
• Low self-esteem

3. Stress

Although stress also falls under the previous heading, it deserves its own spot. Because stress is particularly harmful to your body, and can therefore also cause sexual problems. This is because stress leads to physiological reactions in your body that can interfere with the process needed to get an erection. So relax, don't stress!

4. Nutrition

Unfortunately, there is no superfood that gives you an erection. But a healthy and varied diet rich in vegetables, fruit, protein and healthy fats can help you prevent common causes of erectile dysfunction. Think of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

5. Alcohol consumption

Alcohol is not your friend in getting erections. In the short term, alcohol can bother your body and interfere with the process towards an erection.

But alcohol also leaves its mark in the long term. Prolonged excessive drinking is associated with permanent problems. So a good reason to choose that 0.0 anyway.

6. Smoking

Smoking has a direct influence on your blood circulation, which in turn plays a role in erections. One of the harmful effects of smoking is the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels. This plaque narrows the arteries and reduces blood circulation, including to the penis. The result? It can become more difficult to get or maintain an erection. In other words, smoking is not only bad for your overall health, but also for your sexual health. Another stick behind the door to stop!

7. Drug and medication use

Certain prescription medications and recreational drugs may cause erectile dysfunction in some cases.

If you are taking a prescription medication that may cause erectile dysfunction, discuss the problem with your doctor. He or she can recommend the best treatment for erectile dysfunction that won't affect the other health issues you're being treated for.

Prescription medications that can cause erectile dysfunction include:

• Antidepressants
• Chemotherapy medications
• High blood pressure medications
• Anti-androgens
• Certain heart medications

Recreational drugs that can cause erectile dysfunction include:

• Amphetamines
• barbiturates
• Cocaine
• marihuana
• Heroin

8. Trouble sleeping

If you have not slept enough, you often notice this immediately in your energy level and mood. Meanwhile, sleep deprivation can also disrupt your hormone balance, leading to a decrease in testosterone. Testosterone is an important hormone for your sexual health, and a decrease can lead to low libido and problems getting or maintaining an erection.

A healthy sleep rhythm can therefore be an important step in improving both your testosterone levels and sexual health.

9. Age

Erectile dysfunction occurs in both young and older men. The chance that you will have to deal with it does increase as you get older.

In younger men, the causes are often temporary factors such as stress, fear of failure or excessive alcohol consumption. As men age, physical changes, such as a decrease in testosterone, diabetes, or high blood pressure, may play a larger role. In most cases, effective treatment is possible.

10. Disorders or illnesses

Various disorders and diseases can lead to erectile dysfunction, including:

• Diabetes.
• Heart diseases
• Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Kidney diseases
• Metabolic syndrome
• Parkinson's Disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Bladder cancer
• Prostate Cancer

4 types of erectile dysfunction

There are different types of erectile dysfunction that we divide into four categories.

It's possible to have more than one type of erectile dysfunction. For example, a combination of vascular erectile dysfunction due to diabetes and psychogenic erectile dysfunction due to fear of failure.

Fill fill out our questionnaire to see which treatment best suits your situation.

Below you can read the four categories.

Vascular erectile dysfunction

Vascular erectile dysfunction is caused by problems with the blood vessels that affect blood flow to the penis. For an erection, you need good blood flow to the penis. When the blood vessels are damaged or narrowed, this can lead to difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. Common causes of this type of erectile dysfunction include:

• Clogged arteries
• Diseases
• Side effects of treatments

Neurogenic erectile dysfunction

You get an erection through signals that your brain transmits via your nerves. If those nerves are damaged, it can lead to erectile dysfunction. This damage can be caused, for example, by:

• Stroke
• Spinal cord injury
• Diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's)
• Central Nervous System Cancers
• Surgeries and radiation
• Diabetes

Hormonal erectile dysfunction

Hormones, such as testosterone, play an important role in sexual arousal and in getting and maintaining an erection.

If you suffer from a hormonal imbalance, such as a low testosterone level, this can lead to less sex drive and erection problems.

Psychogenic erectile dysfunction

Psychological problems can lead to erectile dysfunction. For example, they can activate your “fight or flight response”, which can disrupt nerve signals for an erection. Possible psychological causes include:

• Fear of failure
• Relationship issues
• Uncertainty
• Fear of STIs
• Trauma, such as sexual abuse

In short: There are four different types of erectile dysfunction (vascular, neurogenic, hormonal, and psychogenic) and you can have several at the same time.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem and can generally be treated well and easily.

It is always advisable to consult a licensed healthcare provider so that you get the right treatment that matches the underlying cause of your symptoms. You will probably receive one of the following treatments.

Medications

In many cases, oral medications are prescribed.

A common misunderstanding about these drugs is that they can give you an erection immediately. That is not the case. They work when you are sexually stimulated.

Some variants are taken daily, others are taken when you plan to have sex. You can discuss with your healthcare provider what's best for you.

Therapy

If mental complaints, such as fear of failure or depression, are the cause of your erectile dysfunction, therapy may be an appropriate solution.

A therapist can help you overcome possible mental blockages that contribute to your erection problems, such as pressure to perform, low self-esteem or relationship problems.

Vacuum pumps

Vacuum pumps, also known as penis pumps, are a non-invasive option for treating erectile dysfunction.

The device stimulates blood flow to the penis by creating a vacuum, resulting in an erection. An elastic ring around the base of the penis helps maintain the erection.

While they don't address the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction, vacuum pumps can be effective. They can also be used in combination with other treatments.

Intracavernosal injections (ICI)

Intracavernosal injections (ICI) are a treatment method that involves injecting medication directly into the penis.

That may not sound pleasant, but this technique is very effective and can be a good choice when other medications are not suitable.

Hormone therapy

A blood test can show whether hormonal problems play a role in your erectile dysfunction. In that case, hormone therapy may be an effective treatment option.

Exercises

Pelvic exercises, such as kegel, can help with erectile dysfunction by strengthening the muscles responsible for blood flow to the penis.

Aerobic activities, such as running, also improve overall blood circulation and can reduce stress, which often plays a role in erectile dysfunction.

Nutrition and lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol and maintaining a healthier diet, have a positive impact on erectile dysfunction.

By combining a healthy lifestyle with medical treatments, you may be able to reduce your dependence on medications in the long term.

Surgery

Don't worry, the chances of needing a surgical procedure are minimal. We only mention this option for the completeness of this list of treatments.

Surgical treatments for erectile dysfunction primarily involve penile implants and vascular surgery. But as we said, surgical treatment is rarely necessary.

In short: There are several effective treatments for erectile dysfunction, including medication and therapy. Talk to your healthcare provider about which treatment is most appropriate for you and your situation.

Can erectile dysfunction be prevented?

A healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of erectile dysfunction. However, healthy, active people can also have erection problems, for example due to mental challenges.

So although it is not certain, the following lifestyle changes may help prevent or reduce erectile dysfunction:

• Stop smoking
• Eat healthy (a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, protein, and healthy fats such as fish and nuts)
• Exercise and exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid (excessive) alcohol consumption
• Do pelvic floor exercises
• Stop recreational drug use
• Prevent stress

‍In short: A healthy lifestyle can help prevent and reduce erectile dysfunction, but it depends on the cause of the disorder whether it helps.

When to contact a doctor

It is important to get professional help if your symptoms last longer than three months, you are concerned about your sexual health, or if you notice that the erection problems are affecting your daily life or relationships.

The healthcare provider can determine the underlying cause of your disorder and discuss the best treatment options with you. Professional help can improve your physical health and overall well-being.

In short: Contact a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist for more than three months, you are concerned, or notice that erectile dysfunction is affecting your daily life or relationship.

Conclusion

The two most important messages from this article are:

• Many men suffer from erectile dysfunction — you're really not alone!
• Erectile dysfunction is generally treatable

Treatment will depend on the cause of your disorder, and may include medication or therapy, for example.

Wondering which treatment suits you best? Or do you want to know if you are eligible for medication? Feel free to fill our questionnaire in and discover what treatment you can quickly enjoy carefree in the bedroom again.