What is Erectile
Dysfunction?
ED is the persistent and ongoing inability to achieve and maintain an erection. This prevents men from engaging in or completing sex. ED can affect men of any age but is most prevalent in individuals over 70. ED can be caused by physical or psychological conditions and, despite its prevalence, it is highly diagnosable and treatable.
How common is
Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition that affects about 50% of men over the age of 40. Researchers estimate that about 30 million American men suffer from ED. That's almost 20% of the country's male population. Not only that, but the likelihood of experiencing ED increases throughout a man's life.
Statistics by Age
Generally, the odds of experiencing ED rise as much as 10% with each decade a man is alive. Over 50% of males in their
50s experience some form of ED. Changes in hormone levels, greater incidence of heart disease, and an overall decline in
health as one ages contribute to the rising likelihood of ED. In addition, recent studies have reported increased
diagnosis of ED in males under 40.
Statistics by Severity
ED may mean a man can never achieve an erection or that he has occasional bouts of penile dysfunction. The best
estimates state that 10% of men with ED cannot get hard at all. One-quarter of American men have moderate ED and about
one-fifth have mild ED.
Statistics by Cause
The causes of ED differ among each age group, and many men with ED may experience multiple conditions that contribute to
their inability to get hard. Over 25% of ED cases result from obesity. Generally speaking, the higher a man’s BMI, the
higher his risk of ED. Approximately 25% of ED cases are medication-related. This often arises in older men and is
usually related to medications taken to treat blood pressure. Cases of ED in younger men may be related to smoking, drug
use, or alcohol consumption.
What are the symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction?
The primary symptom of ED is the inability to achieve an erection. Whether the man has some response or no response to stimuli, if the erection is not hard enough to engage in intercourse, he is experiencing ED. Decreased interest in sexual activity or changes in the quality of erections can also point to ED. However, those developments can be sudden or gradual because ED’s symptoms can differ from man to man
A wide variety of conditions and psychological factors serve as common causes of ED since erections rely on good
blood flow and circulation. For example, vascular diseases like atherosclerosis can disrupt the blood supply to
the
penis, restricting the person’s ability to initiate an erection and achieve ejaculation. Other physical causes and
risk factors of sexual dysfunction can include high cholesterol, hypertension, kidney disease, prostate cancer,
Parkinson’s Disease, and Peyronie’s Disease.
Neurological issues like multiple sclerosis and stroke can also inhibit the nervous system’s ability to send
signals to the penis to get hard. Traumatic injuries and certain chronic illnesses like diabetes may also contribute to ED.
How We Treat Erectile Dysfunction
at Iron Mountain Men's Health in Philadelphia
Wave Therapy
Custom Cocktails
Hormone Therapy
Oral Medication