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Peripheral neuropathy, with involvement of the nerves controlling erections, is commonly seen in people with diabetes.ĭepression. The process involves premature and unusually severe hardening of the arteries.
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have diabetes, and 35 to 50 percent of these men are impotent. An estimated 10.9 million adult men in the U.S. Erectile Dysfunction is common in people with diabetes. The end result is difficulty with maintain a firm erection (losing an erection too quickly) that is now believe to be an early manifestation of atherosclerosis and vascular disease.ĭiabetes. Although the condition is called venous leak, the real problem is not with the veins but malfunction of the smooth muscle that surrounds the veins. Poor ability to maintain an erection is often an early symptom of erectile dysfunction. Many experts believe that atrophy, a partial or complete wasting away of tissue, and fibrosis, the growth of excess tissue, of the smooth muscle tissue in the body of the penis (cavernous smooth muscle) triggers problems with being able to maintain a firm erection. The controllable risk factors for arteriosclerosis-being overweight, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking-can cause erectile failure often before progressing to affect the heart. When the problem is arterial, it is usually caused by arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, although trauma to the arteries may be the cause. Organic ED involves abnormalities the penile arteries, veins, or both and is the most common cause of ED, especially in older men. The following are some of the different types and possible causes of erectile dysfunction: Organic Erectile Dysfunction What are the different types (and causes) of ED? Smoking, which exacerbates the effects of other risk factors, such as vascular disease or hypertensionĪge appears to be a strong indirect risk factor in that it is associated with increased likelihood of direct risk factors, some of which are listed above.Īccurate risk factor identification and characterization are essential for prevention or treatment of erectile dysfunction. Many chronic diseases, especially renal failure and dialysis Peyronie's disease (distortion or curvature of the penis) Low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein)Ĭhronic sleep disorders ( obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia) Hypogonadism in association with a number of endocrinologic conditions What are the risk factors for erectile dysfunction?Īccording to the NIH, erectile dysfunction is also a symptom that accompanies many disorders and diseases.ĭirect risk factors for erectile dysfunction may include the following: Many advances have occurred in both diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is now known that, for most men, erectile dysfunction is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis.
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In the past, erectile dysfunction was commonly believed to be caused by psychological problems. For 2025, the prevalence of ED is predicted to be approximately 322 million worldwide. It was estimated that, in 1995, over 152 million men worldwide experienced ED. The Massachusetts Male Aging Study surveyed 1,709 men aged 40–70 years between 19 and found there was a total prevalence of erectile dysfunction of 52 percent. Erectile dysfunction is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
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