Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms and Causes

Erectile Dysfunction: Symptoms and Causes
June 3, 2020

Reviewed By: Dr. Douglas Lord

Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. This condition impacts almost 20 million American men, yet most of them go untreated. Although occasional ED is not unusual or cause for serious concern, ongoing issues with erectile dysfunction can be a sign of underlying conditions that may need treatment.

Being one of the most frequent medical concerns men report to their providers, most males will experience ED at some point in their lives. A common denominator and primary cause of ED has to do with hormonal imbalances. As men age, their testosterone levels begin to decline and unlike popular belief, this can even start as early as mid-20s. By the time men turn 40, they hardly make half as much testosterone as they used to and it gets worse with each passing year.

It is important to note that even though testosterone is the main hormone that controls sex drive, libido, and erections, there are other key sex hormones that are responsible for optimizing your sexual function and should not be overlooked. Some of those include:

  • DHEA
  • SHBG
  • Prolactin
  • LH
  • T3/T4
  • CBC
  • CMP
  • Dopamine

There are other independent factors which can also contribute to erection problems. One of the most common one is mental health. If a man is under stress- whether it is physical or emotional- it could also lead to ED. This is because stress can cause a decrease in your testosterone levels and increase your cortisol (or stress hormone) levels, once again, resulting in a hormonal imbalance.

As if that was not enough, being overweight, having a poor diet, overusing alcohol, not getting enough sleep, drug abuse and smoking could also potentially have a negative effect on your testosterone levels and make them drop.

If you feel like you are experiencing any or most of these symptoms, you could possibly be suffering from ED. But do not worry… you are not alone and ED is almost always treatable at any age! According to researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, “more than 18 million men in the United States over age 20 are affected by erectile dysfunction.” While it may not be the easiest topic to discuss with your provider, there is no need to feel embarrassed. Sometimes a simple lifestyle change is all you need to overcome ED.

There are several solutions available to solve problems with ED.  They vary greatly in price and effectiveness.  There is not a “one size fits all” and depending on many factors, the treatment and solution are customized to each of our patients based on their needs. Nava has had great success in helping men from different ages overcome erectile dysfunction and return to a normal and active sex life.

Our providers can recommend a variety of natural erectile dysfunction treatments that will not only address ED, but also help treat any underlying (and potentially more serious) health conditions. Our service is safe, discreet, and secure. To find out more about our programs to help you overcome ED and schedule an appointment, call 1-800-762-6282 or click here.