Numerous tests have demonstrated effective results in determining whether a patient is experiencing erectile dysfunction, and in addition, the root cause of it whether it be physical or psychological. One of the most common examinations to test for specifically psychological erectile dysfunction is the nocturnal penile tumescence test (NPT). The test is based on the premise that if a person can achieve an erection during their sleep but not in any other scenario, it is likely a psychological barrier spawning erectile dysfunction. Psychological factors can also include a time of stress and anxiety in a person’s life and in more severe cases, psychological erectile dysfunction can be rooted in sexual trauma or abuse. In this instance, mentioning this to your doctor will be a key step in receiving effective treatment. Physical erectile dysfunction on the other hand is often rooted in underlying health conditions. Cardiovascular problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are often associated with erectile dysfunction and are due to the nature of the conditions where blood flow to the penis is restricted. Taking all of this into consideration, you may be able to make an educated guess on what form of ED is affecting you, which in turn will help a doctor be able to accurately identify problems.

Erectile dysfunction can begin in a variety of ways for different people and it is important to understand that underlying conditions and past trauma or experiences also play a role in acquiring erectile dysfunction. For many people, erectile dysfunction will be caused by an underlying health condition, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes. Many cardiovascular problems can cause the blood vessels to constrict and narrow over time, making it more difficult to maintain an erection. Likewise, psychological factors also may be a cause of an individual’s erectile dysfunction. Stress, anxiety, depression, and traumatic events have been shown to link to difficulty maintaining an erection. Psychological factors bringing the onset of erectile dysfunction are typically tested and treated in a different way than physical factors as well. Finally, age does play a role in the onset of erectile dysfunction. Men aged 40 and up are at an increased risk but should be aware that aging itself does not cause erectile dysfunction. As explained previously, erectile dysfunction is caused by either underlying physical conditions or psychological ones.

Early erectile dysfunction has numerous treatments that have been developed to minimize symptoms. One route of potential treatment a doctor may recommend is oral medication. Sildenafil, tadalafil, and similar phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are common solutions to erectile dysfunction. In short, these medications increase circulation to the penis, which in turn allows people to maintain an erection. For others, doctors may recommend forms of psychological support, which include but are not limited to, therapy and stress management. Traumatic events can play a role in obtaining erectile dysfunction, which is why these treatment routes have been shown effective. In addition, people should consider implementing healthy lifestyle changes if they believe they are experiencing erectile dysfunction or have been diagnosed with ED. This may consist of lowering alcohol consumption, and reducing smoking habits, as well as incorporating a healthy diet and exercise. These have shown substantial results in minimizing erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction can be both permanent and temporary and will depend mainly on the cause of a person’s ED. In many instances, erectile dysfunction is the result of a short period of stress or anxiety in a person’s life and can be solved with the help of minor lifestyle changes. In other cases, erectile dysfunction may be rooted in sexual trauma or abuse, which will certainly take longer to treat. Keep in mind that erectile dysfunction can also be caused by a variety of cardiovascular problems, and regarding this, ED will also be more severe and is likely to last for a longer period. It is very rare to see erectile dysfunction go away on its own, but with the help of modern treatment methods, erectile dysfunction can be managed and slowed down. In light of this, you can be confident in the steps moving forward to manage erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent disorder that can have serious effects on self-esteem and relationships among individuals. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Lewisville TX, Nashville TN, Sherman Oaks, and Irvine CA. We serve patients from Lewisville TX, DFW TX, Carrollton TX, Flower Mound TX, Sherman Oaks CA, Burbank CA, Glendale CA, Los Angeles CA, Irvine CA, Tustin CA, Nashville TN, Brentwood TN, and Oak Hill TN.