Different Types of ED Q&A

The types of ED include:

• Organic ED — Organic ED involves abnormalities in the penile arteries, veins, or both and is, especially in older men, the most common cause of ED. When the problem is arterial, it is usually caused by arteriosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries, although trauma to the arteries may also be culpable. Many experts believe that atrophy, a partial or complete wasting away of tissue due to lack of use, and fibrosis, the growth of excess tissue, of the smooth muscle tissue in the body of the penis, triggers problems with being able to maintain a firm erection. An early symptom of erectile dysfunction is often a poor ability to maintain an erection; this can develop into a complete inability to attain an erection if not treated.

• Diabetes-Related ED — Erectile dysfunction is common in people with diabetes because this condition affects the vascular system.

• Depression — Another cause of ED is depression, which is closely related to erectile dysfunction. Depression can lead to ED, and ED can lead to depression; some antidepressant medications cause erectile failure.

• Neurologic ED — There are many neurological (nerve problems) causes of ED, including diabetes, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord, and nerve injuries, heavy metal poisoning, and nerve damage from pelvic operations that can cause erectile dysfunction.

• Drug-induced ED — A great variety of prescription drugs, such as blood pressure medications, anxiolytics, antidepressants, stimulants (such as amphetamine), glaucoma eye drops, and cancer chemotherapy agents are just some of the many medications associated with ED.

• Hormone-induced ED — Hormonal abnormalities may cause ED, such as increased prolactin (a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland), too much or too little thyroid hormone, steroid abuse by bodybuilders, and hormones administered for prostate cancer. Low testosterone can contribute to ED but is seldom the only factor involved.

The most common type of erectile dysfunction is organic ED, which occurs due to abnormalities in the penile arteries or veins (or both); this is especially common in older men.

Yes, there are different degrees of erectile dysfunction; ED is typically categorized into three degrees, or severities: mild, moderate, and severe. When a man cannot maintain an erection or loses it during the sexual act, including if it is not erect enough to ensure a safe penetration, this indicates a mild to moderate degree of erectile dysfunction. If there is no erection, despite stimulation and arousal, ED is likely to be more severe and may have several factors affecting it.
 
An erection is an involuntary reaction in response to a sexual stimulus, which causes the brain, nerves, heart, blood vessels, and hormones to work together to rapidly increase the amount of blood flowing into the penis; this engorgement of blood causes it to become hard. Because of the number of body parts and processes working together, discovering the cause of erectile dysfunction can be challenging and often depends on medical evaluations and specific tests to get to the most appropriate treatment.

The type of ED a man has can be identified by looking at the symptoms he is experiencing. For example, if there is a total absence of erection, it is likely a severe type; if there is some blood flow into the penis, it may be a moderate type; if it only occurs occasionally, it is likely a milder type.
 
Furthermore, it is important to look at possible causes when determining the type of ED; diabetes, cardiovascular issues, neurological problems, certain drugs, and specific hormones can cause ED.
 
If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, the professionals at American Male Medical can help. Call us today or request an online appointment with our ED treatment specialist, or visit one of our clinics. We have four locations to better serve you: Lewisville, TX; Sherman Oaks, CA; Irvine, CA; and Nashville, TN. We serve patients from Lewisville TX, Sherman Oaks CA, Irvine CA, Nashville TN, Carrollton TX, Flower Mound TX, Los Angeles CA, Tustin, CA, and Oak Hill TN. We look forward to serving you!