Erectile Dysfunction in Young Men

In layman's language, erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as a man's inability to get an erection that is good enough to satisfy sexual intercourse. It is also known as 'impotence' and the condition has a gradual severity in its effects. For example, some people who are affected by this medical condition are simply not able to get any kind of erection at all (total inability), while some manage to, but not hard enough for penetration (inconsistent ability). In some cases, the person is able to penetrate but eventually loses it (sustains only a brief erection).

Sometimes, this inability of men to satisfy sexual needs, becomes a potent cause for depression, relationship problems, and negative self-esteem. Erectile dysfunction causes and treatments are briefly described as follows.

Erectile Dysfunction - Causes

# The male anatomy involved in sexual arousal, is a complex system.; it involves the brain, hormones, and emotions Any kind of malfunction in any of these systems can harm the delicate balance between their working, and one of the repercussion may be the condition of erectile dysfunction. Factors that are responsible for causing this condition do not necessarily have to bear a psychological nature. There are causes which may have their source in certain medical conditions, and side-effects of medications.

# Erectile dysfunction in young men and men falling in any age group may be caused by:

• Heart diseases
• Atherosclerosis (a stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls, thus, narrowing the arteries)
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome.

Apart from these, the same may also be the outcome of the usage of certain medications, tobacco, alcohol or drug abuse, and neurological condition such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.

# Even, treatment procedures for prostate cancer or enlarge prostate, or surgical procedures that involve the pelvic area, may contribute to the development of ED. Hormonal disorders such as low testosterone (hypogonadism) and Peyronie's disease could also be the causes.

# As mentioned earlier, thoughts and emotions (psychological factors) are the major elements in getting an erection. Younger males often undergo erectile problems due to anxiety which involves nervousness about indulging in sex for the first time or inexperience. It also involves fear or anxiety of causing a pregnancy, or sometimes even using a condom. It has been surveyed among young men, that after they try to put on the condom, they somehow lose their erection.

# Out of all the factors which play significant roles in developing feelings of sexual excitement, the brain is the one which is responsible for deciphering the physical events that trigger the erection. So intervention of things such as fatigue, depression or stress may lead to erectile dysfunction. Disturbances in love life or married life or even poor communication between the partners also result in low sex drive.

Erectile Dysfunction - Treatment

Treatment for erectile dysfunction in men involves various types of methods which range from medications, mechanical devices, surgery to psychological counseling. As a known fact of any medical disorder, the treatment depends upon its severity and the underlying causes.

ED in young men or older men is caused by a disturbance in the blood flow to the corpus cavernosum - two cylinder-shaped chambers. When an act of sexual arousal is performed, chemical signals to and from the brain, cause the body to release nitric oxide. And this chemical relaxes the penile muscles thus, allowing a large amount of blood to flow through the corpus cavernosum, which in turn causes an erection. But this erection is lost when a second chemical phosphodiesterase type 5 neutralizes the effect of nitric oxide, and that is when the penis becomes flaccid. So in this case of ED one of the treatment methods is the administration of drugs known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. These drugs, as the name suggest, hamper the function of the second chemical, while enhancing that of nitric oxide thus, helping to maintain an erection for a longer period. Some common examples of these oral drugs are sildenafil (viagra), tadalafil (cialis) and vardenafil (levitra).

However, before opting for these medications, it is better to consult a doctor lest there might be some severe side effects. This is because these drugs are not suitable for all men and they should not be taken for granted that they can fix erectile dysfunction. This is more important for those who are already on certain medications, or those who are suffering from chronic medical conditions. For such people, taking nonprescription ED drugs may respond unexpectedly.

Therapies like needle-injection therapy, self-administered intraurethral therapy (muse) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are also recommended treatment options for correcting erectile dysfunction.

As mentioned earlier, mechanical aids are also available for achieving erection. Some of them are constriction ring, vacuum pump, semi-rigid penile prosthesis and inflatable penile prosthesis. In some cases, a person might decide to undergo a surgery such as vascular surgery, penile implants, arterial surgery, etc. In cases wherein, the disorder is related to any psychological factor, the affected person and his partner may be advised for regular visits to a sex therapist.

The causes of erectile dysfunction in young men and even in men of all ages have their roots spread in many factors. The good thing is that there are several options for the treatment of this disorder. Following a healthy lifestyle also aids an effective treatment, and so does an active co-operation of the patient's partner.