The penile erection is necessary for intercourse. In the penis, there are erectile tissues, which during erection are filled with blood under high pressure, which leads to an erection. In erection the blood flow is quite high, and the outflow is almost completely overlap, which allows the man to maintain the erection some time for intercourse. The regulation of the number of incoming and outgoing blood vessels of the penis occurs the nervous system. In this case, the nervous system has a key role in the regulation of potency. If the system innervation, there are any violations, possible problems with potency.

Under the erectile dysfunction understand the violations in the sexual sphere in men where the penis loses volume and firmness, which leads to the inability to hold intercourse. While occasional problems with erection in any case be considered as erectile dysfunction. All the men, including the young, the cases of sexual impotence sometimes happens. It is believed what to say about erectile dysfunction only when a man is not able to have intercourse more than 25% of cases. Often erectile dysfunction is evidence of the deterioration of the General state of health. More than 90% of cases of problems with potency positively. Here the main time to see a doctor and to follow all recommendations of the specialist.

The main causes of erectile dysfunction

Men's erection fails for the following reasons:

• Psychogenic causes. Psychogenic erectile dysfunction are stress, fatigue, depression, some phobias, deviations and other psychological trauma. Under the influence of psychological factors in the cerebral cortex affects the mechanism of development of erection. In particular, the crust can have a direct inhibitory effect, inhibitory effect, thereby reducing the erection. In addition, under the influence of stress factors increases the level of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which also negatively affects erection.
• The defeat of the arteries. Arteriogenic erectile dysfunction occurs because of vascular lesions. This can be atherosclerosis, some penile trauma, congenital anomalies of the vessels of the penis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Smoking (which deteriorates the blood vessels) and other diseases. Typically, when such situations occur degenerative changes in the cavernous tissues. In the absence of timely treatment in the cavernous tissues of irreversible processes.
• Damage veins. In this case, erectile dysfunction in men develops due to violations of the veno-occlusive mechanism.
• Lesions of the cavernous tissue. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by cavernous insufficiency. Possible changes in the corpus cavernosum, their innervation and blood supply, which leads to the deterioration of potency.
• Damage to the nervous system. In this case erectile dysfunction is possible on the background of various diseases of the brain and spinal cord. The defeat of the peripheral nerves is also one of the causes of erectile dysfunction. For example, this may occur in trauma or surgical interventions, when the hurt nerve endings serving the penis.
• Anatomical abnormalities. This pathology is associated with impaired anatomical structure of the penis. For example, in cases of severe penile curvature in men possible impotence. Erectile dysfunction is also noted in fibrosis of the corpora cavernosa that most often associated with injuries and surgery.
• Hormonal causes. Expansion of blood vessels of the penis occurs due to a specific enzyme, which is responsible for synthesis of nitric oxide. This enzyme is dependent on male sex hormones. The less testosterone, the less activity of this enzyme, which accordingly leads to a deterioration of erection. In addition, low testosterone leads to increased deposition of fat, including in the corpora cavernosa, as well as degeneration of smooth muscle cells, which ultimately leads to disruption of the veno-oclusion mechanism. The level of testosterone in the blood of men depends and libido, which also affects the quality of erections.
• Age-related changes. With age there are natural changes in the body: the deteriorating elasticity of blood vessels, reduces the level of testosterone and sensitivity of the nervous system. However, there is a clear separation between natural age-related changes and effect of chronic diseases that often affects the elderly. So, if a man does not hurt a serious chronic disease, even at 80 years old he can live a normal sexual life.
• Taking certain medicines. Certain drugs inhibit production of male sex hormones. Among these medications are some drugs and medicines that reduce the function of the cerebral cortex.

Erectile dysfunction treatment

More than 90% of cases a man with erectile dysfunction can help to restore full erection. Here the main time to see a doctor and start treatment. The elimination of this disease is conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment of erectile dysfunction comes to the appointment of the following remedial measures:

• The lifestyle change. In the presence of bad habits, obesity or physical inactivity, the doctor will recommend a man to lead a healthy lifestyle. This is often a key to the restoration of normal potency. You should give up Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol and junk food. Mandatory physical activity that will help to eliminate congestion in the pelvic organs, thus improving blood flow to the penis.
• Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 5. Conservative treatment of erectile dysfunction provides for the appointment of certain drugs. Drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are selected only by the attending physician on the basis of the obtained diagnostic data. Contraindication to receiving phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors: is the reception of the sick of donators nitrogen or nitrate (for example, nitrosorbite, nitroglycerin and other nitrate drugs).
• Hormonal therapy. If erectile dysfunction is caused by hormonal disorders, that in this case, the phosphodiesterase inhibitors will not help. Necessary hormone replacement therapy is to restore normal hormonal levels. Currently, there are quite convenient forms of testosterone, for example, in gel form, which you can use to adjust the level of male sex hormones in the blood. These drugs appoint a physician when determining the dosage for each patient individually.
• Vacuum therapy. This is non-drug therapy of erectile dysfunction, which aims to increase the blood flow to the penis. For such therapy uses a simple vacuum pump that holds the penis. The pump of the pump is pumped out the air, which creates a negative pressure that stimulates the filling of the penis with blood.
• Psychotherapy. Often the cause of erectile dysfunction lies in psychology, and in this case, you need the help of a competent therapist. Often this treatment the therapist is together with a partner. At these sessions discuss any issues related to the sexual life and emotional experiences that can contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction. In the first stage, the doctor carefully gathers information and explores possible causes of sexual impotence men, which lies in the emotional plane. The doctor helps his patients to deal with the problem, and then problems with erection usually eliminated. In addition, the psychotherapist gives practical advice that is directly related to the intimate life of the couple. In particular, it advises some techniques of stimulation before intercourse to improve erection quality men.
• Behavioral therapy. Another kind of psychotherapy – behavioral therapy, which gives a good therapeutic effect on psychogenic erectile dysfunction in men. The basis of this technique lies a simple principle: what a person feels largely depends on how he feels about it. In other words, misconceptions and harmful thoughts can have a negative impact on self-esteem of a man, his sexuality and relationships, not only with the sexual partner, but also friends and relatives. Behavioral therapy aims to eliminate bad thoughts. The therapist develops the patient the correct (realistic) view of themselves and sexual relationships.
• Surgical treatment of impotence. In case of serious violations of blood supply of the penis the man may be recommended surgical treatment. Usually, surgical intervention is resorted to when no other treatment methods will not have a positive impact. When venous or arterial insufficiency surgical treatment allows to restore full blood flow to the penis, allowing the counter to achieve a normal erection. When serious congenital anomalies of the penis a man may hold a penile prosthesis, which is the implantation of penile prosthesis.