Impotence, or erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability for a man to sustain an erection long enough for satisfying sexual intercourse. Some men who suffer from ED are able to achieve an erection but are not able to maintain one, while others are not able to achieve an erection at all. ED can be caused by a variety of physiological and physical factors, including atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety and hormonal changes. Natural medicines including herbs, nutritional supplements and dietary and lifestyle changes are a safe and effective way to treat ED and improve men’s sexual health, so they can enjoy a fulfilling and satisfying sex life.
Common symptoms of ED include an inability to have or maintain an erection, low sex drive, problems with normal ejaculation, difficulty having an orgasm, pain during sex or painful erections.
To best understand ED it’s important to know the physiology of a normal, healthy erection. When a man has erotic thoughts or sexual stimuli a chemical message is sent from the brain to the penis, signalling sexual arousal. This triggers the endothelium (lining of the blood vessel walls) of the penis to release nitric oxide (NO), which is a powerful vasodilator that causes the smooth muscles of the penis to relax. This allows increased blood flow to the penis, which results in an erection.
Common causes of impotence
Most men experience ED symptoms now and then due to things like stress, fatigue or overindulging in alcohol. However, if these symptoms last for several weeks they will be diagnosed with ED.
The cause of ED is often multifactorial, which can be physiological or psychological in nature.
Vascular issues
Vascular diseases are a major cause of ED. The penis is a highly vascularised organ and ED is often associated with vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and dysfunction of the blood vessels. These conditions damage the blood vessels and affect blood flow in and out of the penis. Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels in diabetics can also cause vascular issues by damaging the nerves and blood vessels that supply the penis.
ED can be caused by a variety of physiological and physical factors, including atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety and hormonal changes.
ED is a common symptom of peripheral artery disease, which is when fatty deposits build up in blood vessels (atherosclerosis) in areas outside of the heart and brain, such as the sexual organs. As blood vessels narrow, blood flow is restricted to the penis and the arterial walls become stiff and can’t dilate properly. The endothelium may stop functioning properly (endothelial dysfunction) and can stop producing enough NO, which is vital for creating an erection. If a man’s penile endothelium is
