Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get and maintain an erection. Sometimes ED only occurs in certain situations. For example, you may be able to get an erection during masturbation, or you may find that you sometimes wake up with an erection but you are unable to obtain an erection with your sexual partner.

In these circumstances, it is likely that the underlying cause of ED is primarily psychological (mental). However, if you are unable to obtain an erection under any circumstances, it is likely that the underlying cause is primarily physical.

You should see your GP if ED persists for more than several weeks. They will be able to assess your general state of health because the condition can be the first sign of more serious health conditions, such as heart disease (when the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted).

Many websites offer treatments for ED but their use is not recommended. The medications that are offered by these sites could be fake and may be dangerous.

The symptoms of erectile dysfunction are as follows :

1. Erection does not take place at any time of the day or night or if it occurs, it is very flaccid.
2. Speedy discharge (premature ejaculation).
3. Imperfect or partial erection of a short duration and subsides before the sexual act is started.
4. Absence of morning erections.
5. Penile erection is seldom activated. Very rarely is a few drops of semen discharged.
6. Hanging of testicles loose. 
7. Male finishes without causing much excitement in the female and it does not make any difference whether she is satisfied or not
8. Nocturnal discharges without erections or the erections are loose and during dreams it occurs at the mere attempt of kissing, embracing or just during insertion of the penis or before it
9. Strong and frequent erection followed by premature ejaculation is a signal for imminent sexual impotence.
10. Immediate softening of erection after seminal emission. 
11. No sexual passion, no erection, no discharge. 
12. Reduction in the time occupied by male in sexual acts. 
13. Semen thin and odourless. 

Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Erectile dysfunction refers to a disorder generally found in men where the penis loses its ability to form an erection or to maintain an erection. There can be several causes of erectile dysfunction such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Let us look at the causes of erectile dysfunction as follow:

Age. Erectile dysfunction is most common in men older than 65. About 5% of 40-year-old men and 15% to 25% of 65-year-old men experience some degree of erectile dysfunction. 

Vascular disease. Atherosclerosis causes a reduction in blood flow and accounts for 50% to 60% of cases. 

Diabetes mellitus. At least half of patients with long-standing diabetes experience ED, due to damage of small blood vessels and nerves. 

Neurologic conditions. Several neurologic conditions result in ED, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. 

Hormone imbalance. Testosterone deficiency (eg, pituitary tumor, and kidney or liver disease) can result in loss of libido and erectile difficulties. 

Surgery. Colon, prostate, bladder, and rectum surgery may damage nerves and blood vessels involved in erection. Nerve-sparing techniques decrease impotence incidence to around 50%. 

Radiation therapy. Radiation treatment for prostate or bladder cancer may cause ED. 

Medications. More than 200 commonly prescribed drugs result in ED as a prominent side effect. These include beta-blockers, thiazides, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and appetite suppressants. 

Substance abuse. Excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, better-known as Ecstasy), and other recreational drugs can cause ED, which may be irreversible in some cases. For example, excessive tobacco use can permanently damage penile arteries. 

Obesity. Excess body fat weight contributes to ED by increasing estrogen activity and aggravating diabetes and lipid disorders. 

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse. It refers only to the ability to have erection and does not affect normal sensation, sex drive, or the ability to have an orgasm.

"According to the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, erectile dysfunction affects an estimated 18 million men in the United States.  Data suggests that only a small percentage of men actually seek and receive treatment, even though erectile dysfunction can usually be treated successfully."

The penis is a complex structure of muscle, blood vessels, and nerves.

When a man becomes aroused, nerves signal the smooth muscle of the penis to relax. This allows arteries to pump more blood into the chambers inside the muscle. As the penis lengthens, the veins stretch and shut themselves off, which traps blood inside the penis.

After ejaculation, the smooth muscle contracts, the veins loosen their hold so blood can leave the penis, and the erection fades away.

Most erectile dysfunction is caused by a physical condition that affects the nerves or blood vessels responsible for erections.

Causes include diabetes, vascular disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer, or the side effects of medication. Psychological causes include anxiety, depression, or stress.