40% of men have suffered from erectile dysfunction “failure to perform” “no morning wood” “penis won’t rise” The hidden pain behind men. Don’t keep it to yourself. Get to know more about “Erectile Dysfunction (ED)” because this issue can be resolved if properly treated.
Erectile dysfunction… may be a sign of physical disease
Erectile Dysfunction or ED is a condition where the male genital organ or penis cannot fully erect or does not stay erect long enough for satisfactory sexual activity. Therefore, the problem must be addressed to restore sexual performance. Besides causing sexual problems, erectile dysfunction also leads to loss of confidence in men, may be a warning sign of physical abnormalities, and can cause relationship problems within the family.
What signs indicate “erectile dysfunction”?
- The penis does not erect, erects incompletely, or fails to maintain an erection
- Decreased sexual desire, not as vigorous as before
- No morning erection, or inconsistent erections
- Feeling tired and exhausted
- Feeling less happiness in life, depressed, wanting to be alone
- Decreased work performance, short attention span
- Reduced ability to play sports
Causes of “erectile dysfunction” may be physical or psychological
- Abnormalities of blood vessels supplying the penis, the most common cause, due to fat clogging the blood vessels that supply the penis, which have a diameter of only 1-2 millimeters. This can also be a warning sign of coronary artery disease and stroke in men.
- Male hormone deficiency or Low Testosterone (Low-T) caused by various factors that trigger changes in male hormones (Testosterone), including:
- Aging: After age 50, testosterone naturally decreases, causing erectile problems. These symptoms may appear earlier, around 40-45 years old, in those who work hard and lack sufficient rest, leading to testosterone being used up managing stress and insufficient for erection.
- Obesity and fat: Excess weight or abdominal obesity from fat accumulation changes male hormone (Testosterone) into female hormone (Estrogen), which contributes to erectile dysfunction, causing poor erection quality.
- Stress: From heavy work or insufficient rest, including those with emotional management problems, also reduces male hormone levels.
- Nervous system abnormalities related to penile erection, or patients with a history of pelvic surgery or prostate cancer surgery. Prostate cancer screening can help reduce risk.
- Abnormal penile curvature or fibrosis in the penis, phimosis (tight foreskin), or urethral opening abnormalities can be treated surgically.
- Medication use: Some regularly used medications have side effects causing erectile dysfunction, such as antidepressants, certain blood pressure medications, diuretics, and hypertension drugs. Consultation with a psychiatrist or specialist is needed to adjust medication.
- Stress, depression, or anxiety inevitably affect erectile function decline. Psychiatric consultation is recommended for assessment and advice on managing stress, emotions, and mental health.
Solving the problem of erectile failure can be done by testing male sexual performance to find the true cause of the abnormality in each individual. This can be done quickly with results available within 2 hours. Phyathai 2 Hospital has specialists working with a multidisciplinary medical team to plan appropriate treatment for each individual. It is suitable for those at risk aged 50 and above. Therefore, any men experiencing erectile problems can get screened at the Men Health Clinic, Phyathai 2 Hospital.
