Interesting Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

In this article, I will convey information about the causes of erectile dysfunction, but this time I want to talk about causes that are not well known and can even be described as interesting.

1. Peyronie's Disease Peyronie's disease,

Peyronie's Disease Peyronie's disease, characterized by curvature in the penis due to the formation of hard plaques (fibrous scar tissue) around the tubes (corpora cavernosa) that provide erection inside the penis, can turn sexual intercourse into a painful process for both men and women. Even entering into sexual intercourse can become impossible depending on the increase in the degree of curvature in the penis.

While this disease affects the erection process, it can also cause men to experience a painful erection experience. It is important not to confuse Peyronie's disease, which is among the causes of erectile dysfunction, with congenital penile curvature. Advancing age is among the most basic risk factors for Peyronie's. Both the formation mechanism of Peyronie's disease and the technique in its surgical treatment differ from congenital penile curvature.

2. Anabolic Steroids Anabolic steroids,

Anabolic Steroids Anabolic steroids, used by many men who do sports to build muscle, can lead to erectile dysfunction. These drugs, which can turn into addiction in those who want to build muscle easily and affect the body's production of testosterone (male hormone), can also cause sexual reluctance (low libido) when used for a long time. Therefore, these drugs should not be used if possible, or should be used in consultation with doctors.

Health problems arising from anabolic steroid use are unfortunately not limited to sexual dysfunctions. It is known that anabolic steroids, which can also be defined as man-made synthetic variations of the male hormone, can cause:

• Kidney diseases,

• Liver disorders,

• Heart problems,

• Shrinkage of the testes (testicular atrophy),

• Decrease in sperm count,

• Baldness,

• Breast growth in men (gynecomastia),

• Prostate cancer.

3. Hair Loss Medications

Hair loss affects millions of men worldwide, and even the emergence of different treatment options does not prevent unconscious drug use. It should not be ignored that substances in hair loss medications (such as finasteride) can cause erectile dysfunction by affecting testosterone release/metabolism. The healthiest solution for men experiencing hair loss problems is to first learn the causes of hair loss and receive cause-oriented treatment from experts.

4. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

For men to reach an ideal penile rigidity for sexual intercourse, blood flow to the penis must occur healthily. In people with high blood pressure problems, arteries are damaged, and as a result, the amount of blood passing through the vessels decreases. In this way, erectile dysfunction can begin, and systemic diseases such as vascular and heart disease can also emerge due to high blood pressure. Therefore, in the treatment of patients experiencing erectile problems due to high blood pressure, simultaneous planning of hypertension and erectile dysfunction treatment processes gains importance. Thus, the treatment becomes more effective, and a healthier process can be experienced for the patient.

5. Intra-abdominal Operations

During operations required for the removal of malignant tumors or some surgeries performed in the pelvic cavity, if damage occurs to the nerve cells (cavernous nerves) that transmit messages to the brain for the start of an erection, erectile dysfunction and a decrease in penile sensation may be experienced in the post-operative period. Men who have undergone such operations and subsequently experience erectile problems must undergo andrological evaluations.

Watch Out for Venous Insufficiency!

With the effect of the spread of unhealthy lifestyle habits today, erectile dysfunction can also be seen in young men. Erectile dysfunction sometimes occurs for a single reason and sometimes due to a combination of multiple factors.

Especially complaints of reaching sufficient penile rigidity for intercourse but inability to maintain penile rigidity until the end of the intercourse may require a more careful evaluation of the erectile dysfunction. Since erectile dysfunction may not always be of arterial origin, having men experiencing this complaint undergo venous insufficiency (venous leak) tests constitutes an important anchor point for erectile dysfunction treatment. Moreover, since venous insufficiency brings up the possibility that the patient may have diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, consulting experts for diagnosis is important for general health.

Conclusion

Erectile dysfunction can arise due to psychological reasons such as anxiety, depression, and performance anxiety, as well as different reasons such as underlying vascular diseases, testosterone levels falling due to advancing age, smoking, and excess weight.

In the treatment of erectile dysfunction, medications as well as new treatment methods such as Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), P-Shot (PRP), and Stem Cell Therapy can be applied. The important thing is to be able to make the right choice among the most suitable treatment methods for the patient; if there is a medical problem, to diagnose it and ensure that the patient leads a healthier life and increases their quality of life.