What are the major causes of erectile dysfunction in older men above 50?

What are the major causes of erectile dysfunction in older men above 50?

With time, erectile dysfunction has turned out to be a common problem for men above the age of 50. You need to know that erectile dysfunction or ED can also be the first sign of a severe underlying health condition such as diabetes or heart disease.

Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries is considered the most common cause of erectile dysfunction in men above 50. Apart from this, there are also some other causes of ED including anxiety, medication use, sleep disorders, and obesity.

However, lifestyle changes like diet, quitting smoking, and exercise can help you to control the underlying condition and improve erectile dysfunction.

In case, you are 50 and suffering from erectile dysfunction then don’t worry because you are not alone in this world.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction or impotency is mainly an inability to get and maintain a firm erection during sexual activity. Remember having erection trouble from time to time is not a cause for concern.  

But if your erectile dysfunction is an ongoing problem then it causes stress further affecting your relationship and self-confidence. When you frequently find difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection then it can be a sign of a serious problem that requires treatment. 

In case, you are concerned about erectile dysfunction then it is necessary to talk to the doctor and there is nothing to feel embarrassed about. Sometimes, just treating an underlying condition can help you to deal with erectile dysfunction effectively. 

However, depending upon your condition the doctor might recommend Erectile dysfunction medicines or other important treatments.

What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?

While suffering from erectile dysfunction, you might experience the following symptoms:

  • Decreased sexual desire
  • Difficulty in getting an erection
  • Trouble in maintaining an erection

Erectile dysfunction and age

With age, erectile dysfunction becomes more common. At the age of 40, almost one-third of men suffer from ED, while this number increase to 70% by the age of 70 years.

Erectile dysfunction often results from different medical issues that come with age such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.   

Causes of erectile dysfunction

It is vital for you to understand that male sexual stimulation is a complicated procedure that indulges the nerves, brain, blood vessels, hormones, muscles as well as emotions.

Erectile dysfunction can be the result of a problem with any of these. Stress and mental health concerns can cause and even worsen your condition of erectile dysfunction. Sometimes, a combination of psychological and physical problems can also make you suffer from erectile dysfunction.

The physical cause of erectile dysfunction

In several cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by physical issues. Some of the common physical causes include:

Metabolic syndrome

Heart disease

Abdominal Obesity

Clogged blood vessels

Diabetes

High cholesterol

High blood pressure

Low testosterone

Parkinson’s disease

Tobacco use

Multiple sclerosis

Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate

Peyronie’s disease

Certain prescription medicines

Sleep disorders

Surgeries or injuries that affect your spinal cord or the pelvic area

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction

The brain plays a vital role in activating the series of physical events that cause an erection, starting the feelings of sexual pleasure. There are a number of things that can restrict sexual feelings and cause erectile dysfunction. Some of the psychological causes of erectile dysfunction include:

Relationship issues because of poor communication, stress, or other concerns

Depression, anxiety, and other similar mental health conditions

Stress

Treatments for erectile dysfunction

In order to experience strong erections, you must stay healthy. Making simple lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, doing regular exercise, getting proper sleep, following a healthy diet, and avoiding the consumption of alcohol can help in controlling the factors that are responsible for causing erectile dysfunction or ED.

Oral prescription medicines for ED are extremely effective in enhancing men’s sexual function. The most commonly prescribed are PDE-5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil.

PDE5 inhibitors mainly work by widening your blood vessels and enhancing the flow of blood to the male sexual organ.

Apart from medicine, it is also necessary for you to eat a healthful diet, lose weight (if you are overweight or have an obesity problem), engage in regular physical activities for almost 20 minutes, and improve sleep habits.

In case, older men suffer from the problem of low testosterone levels then the doctor might also recommend testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

Therefore, men above the age of 50 years suffering from erectile dysfunction must not panic. All you need to do is contact the doctor, discuss your condition and follow the advice of your doctor to treat the condition quickly.