Erectile dysfunction (impotence): symptoms, causes and treatment

Erectile dysfunction facts & advice

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, formerly known as impotence, means difficulty in getting an erection hard enough to have sex. According to a study published in the journal "Scandinavian Journal of Urology" in February 2018, every fourth man in Sweden experiences some form of erectile dysfunction regardless of age. About 50% of all men over the age of 40 have some form of erectile dysfunction.

Difficult to get hold of?

Do you have difficulty getting a foothold and need help getting it up? There are various causes of erectile dysfunction. Both physical and psychological, but sometimes also a combination of these.

Causes of erectile dysfunction

Psychological causes

If the difficulty in getting a foothold occurs suddenly, or alternatively occurs in certain situations, it is more common that the cause is psychological. It can lead to worry and anxiety that it is not working which leads to a negative spiral. Some also experience performance anxiety in connection with intercourse, which can further make it more difficult to get a hold. In younger men, psychological factors are the most common cause of erectile dysfunction.

Here are some common examples of mental illnesses and conditions that contribute to erectile dysfunction:

• Depression
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Previous negative sexual experiences.
• Sorrow

In the case of psychological causes, in addition to potency-enhancing tablets, psychological help can also improve the problems with the help of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). You can get help with this online or through your health centre. 1177.se/kbt

Physical causes

If the difficulty in standing comes gradually over a longer period of time, it speaks more for physical causes.

Here are common physical diseases and conditions that can cause erectile dysfunction:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Nerve damage
• Neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Diabetes
• Arteriosclerosis (atherosclerosis)
• Side effects of certain medications, such as antidepressants or blood pressure lowering drugs
• Hormonal causes
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Aging
• Overweight
• Damage after surgery, for example after prostate surgery

What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?

There are several symptoms that indicate erectile dysfunction:

• Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection long enough for satisfactory sexual activity
• Decreased sex drive
• Hard to get an erection
• Anxiety or stress due to performance or perceived inability to maintain an erection

How to treat erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is primarily treated with medical treatment in the form of tablets. Sometimes you need to treat underlying psychological and physical causes that cause you to have difficulty getting a foothold. For example, you need to have control over your chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes to name a few.

What can I do myself to reduce my erectile dysfunction?

General tips to reduce your erectile dysfunction:

• Physical activity, moderate intensity of at least 150-300 minutes or 75-150 minutes of high intensity physical activity
• Stop smoking
• Weight loss if you are overweight
• Reduce alcohol consumption. Good help is available via the health centre!

Treatment with drugs

There are various drugs to treat erectile dysfunction. The drugs work by increasing blood flow to the penis during simultaneous sexual stimuli, for example (physical touch, thoughts, etc.), which gives a stronger erection. However, you should avoid taking these medicines if you have cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure or angina pectoris.

Potencies that work

There are several potency drugs that have a good effect against erectile dysfunction. However, there is a large illegal online trade and there are risks with buying the medicine online. There are risks to health and these do not always work as they should, which means that you do not get any effect. Sometimes it can have a completely different effect. Therefore, it is important to seek help from a doctor for the prescription of these medications.

In Sweden, it is estimated that around 500,000 men have some form of erectile dysfunction1. Over 60% of those suffering from erectile dysfunction do not seek help according to a study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, January 20052. The reason for this is feelings of shame and anxiety about telling a doctor or other healthcare professional about their problems. Erectile dysfunction is a common problem in men and can have consequences such as reduced self-esteem, relationship problems, impact on sex life and desire.

Erectile dysfunction is usually easy to treat and should not have to affect your life! Don't wait, seek help today!

This is how Recetas Medicas can help

We at Recetas Medicas can use our health form, without chat or video call, to assess whether a prescription for potency-enhancing drugs is suitable for you and then prescribe a prescription. Furthermore, we give you advice on when to apply for a health center and possible psychotherapy. If it is the case that there are any risks with potency-enhancing drugs for you, you will be informed of this and no prescription will be prescribed. You can always contact us for an assessment by filling out our health form.