Record times and proud performances are not always possible. The magic of a loving and exciting shared experience can sometimes be broken, but that doesn't mean there's no solution to the problem. Moreover, there's no reason for anyone to blame themselves. This is a medical condition that needs to be addressed and can be resolved. Shall we begin?
How Does an Erection Occur Anatomically?
How Does an Erection Occur Anatomically? Now, understanding this part will also help in understanding the factors that cause erectile dysfunction, gentlemen.
Inside the penis, the Corpora Cavernosa (Cavernous bodies) are located parallel to each other. Along with these, there are also longitudinal structures called Corpora Spongiosa (Spongy bodies). With sexual arousal, the penile muscles begin to relax and elongate. The level of Nitric Oxide in the blood vessels increases, providing a vasodilating effect. This causes the blood vessels within the Cavernous body to fill with blood, leading to an erection.
Although an erection is an event observed only on the penis, the penis is not the sole player in an erection. For an erection to occur, signals from the brain must continue. Additionally, the spinal canal also plays a role during an erection.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
In its most general definition, erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse or to maintain an erection for a sufficient duration until sexual activity is completed. When this problem is discussed, men over 40 years of age often come to mind. This perception is not unfounded, as research indeed shows that this condition is more common after the age of 40.
Large-scale prevalence studies conducted in the early 2000s, looking at the global population, revealed that erectile dysfunction occurs in 10-40% of men starting from age 40, and in 50-80% of men in their 70s. In Turkey, the prevalence rate of erectile dysfunction has been determined to be 69.2%.
In fact, generally, when looking at research, it can be said that these are the ages where problems arising from physiological causes are observed. However, it is known that erectile dysfunction can also occur below the age of 40, without any physiological cause. A study published in 2013 shows that erectile dysfunction is present in an average of 26% of men under 40.
What are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
As we mentioned earlier, these causes can be both physiological and psychological. Generally, the possibility of a physiological cause is considered first. However, if no such cause is found, it may be possible to delve deeper into psychological reasons.
Physiological Causes
- Certain heart conditions, especially vascular blockages (a condition that prevents blood from reaching the penis, which can lead to erectile dysfunction),
- Hormonal imbalances,
- Neurological disorders,
- Diabetes,
- Being overweight,
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol,
- Following pelvic or spinal cord surgeries,
- When there is prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia,
- Use of tobacco products that restrict blood flow in veins and arteries,
- Use of drugs and alcohol other than tobacco.
Psychological Causes:
You don't observe a problem with morning erections. Everything is fine when you masturbate. Things aren't going well with your partner/spouse/lover, but the process proceeds without problems in the face of another stimulus. Or you have many years left until you reach 40. Such situations may indicate that the problem is not physiological but stems from psychological reasons like these. In fact, research also states that 20% of erection problems are psychological. Let's first look at what these psychological causes are, and then dwell on some of them.
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Depression
- Performance anxiety
- Guilt
- Low self-esteem
- Pornography addiction
- Sexual abuse and assault
- Anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure from pleasurable activities)
Stress and Anxiety:
First of all, gentlemen, they are not the same thing. They are an endless cycle: stress leads to anxiety, and anxiety leads to more stress. For this reason, it is truly important to first control stress, and if necessary, consult with an expert.
Gentlemen, there are actually three different types of erections: physical, psychogenic, and nocturnal. All of these require a certain bodily system to function correctly, such as muscles, blood circulation, the nervous system, and hormones. If any of these do not work, erectile dysfunction may occur. Stress and anxiety can also prevent the brain from sending the necessary signals for an erection.
Relationship Problems:
Two different worlds coming together and forming a new whole is not easy. In fact, it's often quite difficult. Relationship problems can sometimes deeply affect sexual life. However, it's important to remember that this is not an end, but a problem, and that relationship or marriage therapy is an option.
Depression:
Depression is not a superficial problem that can be described as simply "low spirits." You should not forget that hormones are involved, and sometimes even physiological ailments can cause depression. The fact that this causes problems like premature ejaculation in your sexual performance is not related to age. This is not what we say, but what research says. We, on the other hand, merely offer the advice that consulting an expert might be beneficial.
Performance Anxiety:
"What if I can't satisfy my partner?" "I'm not that good." "What if I ejaculate too early or can't get an erection during intercourse?"
Such anxieties can indeed cause you to experience erectile dysfunction. These negative thoughts and negative attitudes can lay the groundwork for problems that will adversely affect your sexual performance. Constantly feeling this anxiety, it might be best to consult an expert before letting it make your life miserable.
Pornography Addiction:
Pornography is fiction. The perception of heightened reality there becoming a standard for you can have a dominant effect on your perception of sexuality. Constantly watching pornography and masturbating in this way can lead to erectile dysfunction when you are in a real sexual shared experience. Experts and research say so. In fact, we will address this topic separately, but if you wish, you can take a look now.
As for the other psychological causes we've mentioned... Basically, we can say that all of them will end with the advice to seek expert opinion. Erectile dysfunction can lead to unhappy consequences for your sexual life.
Denying it, covering it up, or being ashamed of it won't fix anything. If you are experiencing such a problem, do not hesitate to consult an expert. Because all gentlemen face problems and find solutions :)