What is ED and Who is Affected by It?

ED (erectile dysfunction) or Impotence is defined as the inability to achieve an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. This a very common condition which affects over 18 million men worldwide!  Although ED can affect men in their 20's, it most commonly occurs in men over 40 years old. If we exclude psychological causes of ED (which absolutely exist), the most common causes of ED are Diabetes (#1 on the list), Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Smoking, Obesity, Vascular Disease (including Heart Disease and PAD) and treatment for Prostate Cancer (both Surgery and Radiation).

As you know, lifestyle components such as diet, activity and smoking have a great impact on ones overall health. In fact, most of the conditions noted above, including ED, are greatly impacted if not caused by lifestyle factors making them potentially preventable in many men. Since normal Erectile function is largely about normal blood flow getting to the penis, maintaining healthy blood vessels is essential for normal erectile function. A healthy diet, regular exercise and avoiding smoking are THE best ways to maintain healthy blood vessels in your body. In fact, several studies have shown significant improvement in erectile function though lifestyle changes alone.  And this doesn't necessarily mean becoming a vegetarian or a marathon runner!  Your body wants to move and have good nutrients added to it to stay healthy so even small changes in your diet and exercise will have a positive impact on your health: doing SOMETHING is always better than  doing nothing.

Of course, you can be doing all the right things and still develop ED. This is especially true of healthy men undergoing treatment for Prostate Cancer where ED may be an unavoidable side effect requiring treatment.

For the most up to date treatment for ED you need to see a professional, and the best person for this is a Philadelphia Urologist. For a consultation with me to discuss successful ways to treat your ED please call 215-563-1199 or contact us online.