Herbal Remedies For Erectile Dysfunction

Your Guide On What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Most people do not have scientific knowledge about sexual medical issues. Erectile dysfunction is one such issue. But, what is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction is the preferred medical term to describe the commonly used term of impotence in men. It is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection during the course of or till the successful completion of intercourse or orgasm. Completion of sexual intercourse involves the ejaculation of semen, and for ejaculation to take place erection of the penis is a must.

However, achievement of an erection is a complex event. It involves the combined effort of the vascular, endocrine, neurological, psychological, and local anatomic systems of a male's body. It has been scientifically proved using a positron emission tomography (PET) scan findings that sexual arousal is first activated in the brain of a person. These signals descend through nerves into the sacral area (lower area). Neurovascular events result in inhibition of adergenic tone and in release of nitric oxide (neurotransmitter).

This stimulates the enzyme system in the penile muscle. This results in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP) and in smooth penile shaft muscle relaxation, arterial blood flow and occlusion of veins. This at last helps the penis become firm enough for sexual activity.

Abnormalities in any of the above systems may give rise to erection failure. Neurogenic impotence is caused due to spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral vascular mishaps. Vascular disease and diabetes are also responsible for neurovascular abnormalities that result in ED.

This can be also caused due to psychological or emotional reasons. Stress, fear of failure, unrealistic expectations, anger, or anxiety could also be factors that contribute towards failure to arouse men and cause dysfunction. A depressed libido can also be a cause of impotence. It can also be caused due to hormonal imbalance such as depressed testosterone levels in aged men. Some medications may also cause the disease.

According to some studies it has a strong correlation with age and may increase with age. Some other findings were also noticed in this area. Those with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and on medications associated with these diseases were also found to be more prone to this disorder. However a final consensus is not yet established.

It has also been recognized as one of the common sexual issues in the last two decades. Earlier, very few patients visited their doctor's clinics to discuss ED. They were embarrassed or felt reluctant to discuss ED with their family doctor.

Universal consensus is still lacking on defining what is erectile dysfunction and on the level of consistence and the period of time symptoms need to be present in a patient, so that the disease can be covered under the definition of erectile dysfunction. However a reasonable period of 3 months of persistent symptoms qualifies the patient to be suffering from this disorder.