Man and wife reading together in bed

Erectile dysfunction

A decrease in testosterone, which takes place naturally as people age but can also occur in young and active men, is a cause of erectile dysfunction. It’s defined as an inability to get and keep an erection firm enough to perform penetrative sex, and even though it’s a very common experience, ED is still very frustrating and difficult to confront openly with your healthcare provider. The effects are physical as well as emotional. Getting and maintaining an erection is the essential component of male sexual performance; losing the ability to perform in the bedroom can be devastating to a man’s mental health. When you combine the feelings of shame and embarrassment with an alarming physical condition that could indicate a more serious health issue, the overall affect can be extremely difficult to manage.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

There is no single cause for ED. In fact, there are multiple things that can give you erectile dysfunction, including metabolic syndrome, depression, tobacco use, cancer, and a variety of other medical conditions. Some causes are obviously much more serious than others, but treating the cause is usually the best way to fix your ED. The most common cause – according to a study performed by the Journal of Sexual Medicine – is Low Testosterone. Whether the result of old age or a sedentary lifestyle, Low T has an inevitable impact on the ability to achieve and keep your erection. That’s where testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) from SynergenX comes in.

Testosterone, as the hormone that affects a man’s appearance and sexual development, is probably the most important component of a man’s ability to perform sexually. An improper balance will only make things more challenging in the bedroom, as well as in other areas of a man’s life, including at work and at the gym. Low T can also make you depressed and lazy, which has a physiological impact on the body and could also eliminate your interest in sex altogether. The bottom line is that Low T impacts multiple areas, and one issue tends to compound another until your entire system – body and mind – is out of order.

Erectile dysfunction and age

There is no one set age or age range of men that become impacted by ED. The reality is men of any age or lifestyle can have erectile dysfunction, and it’s impossible to predict who will experience it and when. That said, there have been multiple studies that give us a rough idea of how ED arrives in men. A notable study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, which surveyed more than 30,000 male health professionals to understand how age and other factors (like Low Testosterone) contribute to erectile dysfunction, found that the majority of men between 50 and 59 reported little to no issue with erectile dysfunction, while men aged 80 to 90 and older reported having major issues with getting an erection.

It does appear that you are more likely to start experiencing the occasional ED complication once you enter your fifties. According to a study done by the University of Wisconsin, your chances increase by approximately 10% each time you enter a new decade from there. There a few reasons for this: First is a decrease in testosterone, which limits your libido and weakens physiological functions related to sex; after that, medical professionals point to medications often taken by older men that can interfere with erectile function. Also, as we age, our nerve endings become less sensitive, which means your penis can become more difficult to stimulate despite your desire to have sex.

How to fix erectile dysfunction

First, consult with your medical provider to determine whether your ED is due to an underlying condition. There are actually a few questions you can answer yourself ahead of time:

  • Do you find that your libido is normal (or even higher than normal), but your body just does not respond in kind? That could indicate an underlying physiological cause.
  • Have you lost interest in sex altogether, regardless of your inability to get and keep your erection? Testosterone impacts your mood as much as your body, so this could indicate a hormone imbalance.
  • Have you recently undergone a major medical treatment, like surgery or chemotherapy? A recent study showed that men often experience ED after such procedures, especially those focused on or near the genital area, like the penis, prostate, or bladder.
  • Did you recently experience some emotional upheaval? Losing a loved one, getting laid off from work, or breaking up with your significant other can throw you into depression, which will inevitably follow you into the bedroom.

If it is not due to a medical condition or an external force in your life, then it may be time to test your testosterone. If it turns out that it is a case of Low Testosterone, SynergenX recommends testosterone replacement therapy combined with a healthy lifestyle makeover. For men older than 45 experiencing Low T naturally, or for younger men dealing with a premature bout of Low T, TRT is a non-intrusive process that works in harmony with improved behaviors that naturally increase your testosterone, regardless of age. These behaviors include an improved diet, getting more exercise, having a better sleep schedule, and avoiding all unnecessary stress. If you smoke, cut back, or try and quit altogether; also try to drink less, especially in the time leading up to sex.

Learn more about our process by calling one of our centers on 888.219.7259.

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