Is ED a normal part of the aging process?

Although ED is more common among older men, that doesn’t make it “normal” – and more importantly it’s not something you have to live with. What is normal as the aging process occurs is that older men need more stimulation to help get them aroused than they did when they were younger. Like male menopause there’s no reason you should have to accept a lack of sexual function as one of the inevitable consequences of getting older.

Additionally, although erectile dysfunction is more common in men over 75, men of any age can develop erectile problems.

What are the causes of Erectile Dysfunction?

There are many causes for erectile dysfunction such as:
Heart problems such as high blood pressure, heart medications, atherosclerosis, history of heart attacks
Diabetes — between 35% and 50% of men with diabetes experience ED
Medications – a variety of prescription drugs, including medications for blood pressure, anxiety, and depression can have an affect
Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, strokes, brain tumors and multiple sclerosis
Hormonal imbalances
Mood or emotional problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression
Lifestyle habits such as smoking, recreational drugs and drinking alcohol
Certain types of cancer surgery such as removal of prostate and bladder surgery as well as colon surgery

How common is ED?

One in 10 men in the world have erectile dysfunction. 30 million men in the United States have erectile dysfunction. 50% of men with diabetes have erectile dysfunction, frequently within 10 years of diagnosis.

The likelihood of erectile dysfunction increases with age: 39% at age 40, 65% over the age of 65. More men are experiencing impotency because the baby boomer generation is getting older.
Smokers have a higher likelihood of erectile dysfunction. Men who smoke more than 1 pack per day have a 50% higher chance of impotency than nonsmokers the same age.

Because, in the past, men have generally been unwilling to talk about their problem or seek treatment, erectile dysfunction has been under reported. Many physicians are not aware of the treatment options, so patients have been either under treated or not treated at all. However, awareness of the problem is increasing, which increases the number of men who are treated.

What are the best treatment options for ED?

There are many different treatment options for erectile dysfunction and there is no “one size fit all” approach for treating this disease. When the under the care of an expert medical team, there are more options for an increased success rate as the patient is monitored more closely and the medical team can tailor treatments in a more timely fashion.