What Age Does a Man Stop Getting Hard?

1. Erectile dysfunction by age
2. Other lifestyle risk factors for ED
3. How to treat ED

Many great things come with age—like wisdom, experience, and discounts at the movie theater. But most people associate age with the not-so-good stuff, like wrinkles, health problems, and the end of one’s sex life. That last one is a common mistake, though. Erectile dysfunction may happen more often as men get older, but it’s not just a natural part of aging. 

The answer to the question, “what age does a man stop getting hard?” is simple: it doesn’t exist. 

Some men in their 90s can still get erections without any trouble, while many men in their 20s struggle with erectile dysfunction. There’s no age limit for having a healthy and enjoyable sex life, so if you have ED, know there are options to help. 

ED, or erectile dysfunction, happens when you can’t get an erection sufficient for satisfying sex. This can mean being unable to get an erection at all or having erections that aren’t as firm or don’t last as long as you might like. Experts estimate 30 million American men have experienced ED at one time or another (Nunes, 2012). Having ED can also affect your sex drive.

ED can happen at any age, but it’s more common in older men. By the time a man is in his 40s, he has about a 40% chance of having experienced ED. That risk increases by about 10% for each decade of life—a 50% chance in his 50s, a 60% chance in his 60s, and so on (Ferrini, 2017). 

So age is a risk factor for ED. But ED is not a natural part of aging that older men just have to accept and learn to live with, and ED can happen at any age. It’s always worth addressing with a healthcare provider, as ED can be a sign that something larger is going on with your health.  

Multiple health conditions may also increase your risk of ED, including:

• Heart disease—The most common cause of ED in men over 50 is atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, resulting in heart disease (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.). As men age, the linings of arteries become less flexible. That means they don’t expand as easily to let blood flow to where it needs to go (like to the penis to produce an erection). Plaque, caused by high cholesterol, can also build up in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the penis (Nunes, 2012). 
• Hypertension—Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension means that blood pumps through blood vessels more forcefully than it should, potentially damaging and narrowing the blood vessel walls. This condition can lead to heart disease and stroke (AHA, n.d.).
• Diabetes—High blood sugar associated with diabetes can also damage the walls of blood vessels, impeding blood flow (ADA, n.d.). 
• Stroke—A stroke can create neurological damage that can contribute to ED (Koehn, 2019).
• Cancer—A variety of physical and psychological issues related to cancer symptoms, surgery, and treatment can contribute to ED (ACS, n.d.).
• Anxiety and depression: ED certainly isn’t “all in your head” (and neither are mental health conditions), but depression, anxiety disorders, and issues like relationship problems and performance anxiety can all contribute to ED (Rajkumar, 2015).   

ED can also occur as a side effect of certain medications, including antidepressants. If you’re experiencing ED, be sure to tell a healthcare provider about all the medications you’re taking. They might be able to adjust your dose or substitute another medication. 

Other lifestyle factors that can contribute to ED include: Having excess weight or obesity, not getting enough exercise, smoking or using tobacco products, drinking excessively (having more than two alcoholic drinks a day), and using recreational drugs.

ED can also result from physical conditions in which the body’s nerves are damaged or don’t function properly, such as nerve and spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis. 

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The good news is that there are many options for treating ED.

• Oral medications—Oral medications for ED are highly effective at improving sexual function. Several are available, including sildenafil (brand name Viagra; see Important Safety Information), tadalafil (brand name Cialis; see Important Safety Information), and vardenafil (brand names Levitra and Staxyn). 
• Injectable medications—Non-oral medications have been helpful for some men, including alprostadil, papaverine plus phentolamine (brand name BiMix), and a mix of papaverine, phentolamine, and alprostadil (brand name TriMix). These are medications that can be injected directly into the penis, causing an erection.  
• Natural remedies—Some men have found natural remedies for ED to be effective at improving their erections, and some research backs that up. Studies have shown that certain supplements (such as DHEA, ginseng, L-arginine, L-carnitine, and yohimbe) may be helpful for relieving ED. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any supplements.
• Testosterone replacement therapy—If low testosterone is responsible for your ED, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can boost your testosterone levels via injection, a wearable patch, or a gel applied to the skin. 
• Devices—For some men with ED, using a device such as a penis pump, cock ring, or—in severe cases—a surgically placed penis implant has been effective in restoring sexual function.
• Lifestyle changes—Your erections will be best when you’re healthy. Making simple lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and recreational drugs, and limiting your alcohol consumption might be enough to improve ED and your sexual health.

No matter what your age, if you’re experiencing ED, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider to identify any underlying health conditions and find a treatment plan that is right for you.

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

1. American Cancer Society (ACS). (n.d.). How cancer can affect erections. Retrieved Aug. 23, 2020 from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/fertility-and-sexual-side-effects/sexuality-for-men-with-cancer/erections-and-treatment.html
2. American Diabetes Association (ADA). (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Retrieved Aug. 23, 2020 from https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/sexual-health/erectile-disfunction
3. American Heart Association (AHA). (n.d.). How high blood pressure can affect your sex life. Retrieved Aug. 23, 2020 from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-threats-from-high-blood-pressure/how-high-blood-pressure-can-affect-your-sex-life
4. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction & heart disease. Retrieved on Aug. 23, 2020 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15029-heart-disease–erectile-dysfunction
5. Ferrini, M. G., Gonzalez-Cadavid, N. F., & Rajfer, J. (2017). Aging related erectile dysfunction-potential mechanism to halt or delay its onset. Translational Andrology and Urology, 6(1), 20–27. doi: 10.21037/tau.2016.11.18. Retrieved from https://tau.amegroups.com/article/view/13319/13808 
6. Koehn, J., Crodel, C., Deutsch, M., Kolominsky-Rabas, P. L., Hösl, K. M., Köhrmann, M., et al. (2015). Erectile dysfunction (ED) after ischemic stroke: association between prevalence and site of lesion. Clinical Autonomic Research: Official Journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society, 25(6), 357–365. doi: 10.1007/s10286-015-0313-y. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10286-015-0313-y
7. Nunes, K. P., Labazi, H., & Webb, R. C. (2012). New insights into hypertension-associated erectile dysfunction. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension, 21(2), 163–170. doi: 10.1097/mnh.0b013e32835021bd. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22240443/
8. Rajkumar, R. P., & Kumaran, A. K. (2015). Depression and anxiety in men with sexual dysfunction: a retrospective study. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 60, 114–118. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.03.001. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010440X15000346?via%3Dihub 

Dr. Steve Silvestro is a board-certified pediatrician and Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.

What Is Impotence? Main Causes, Risk Factors, Ages & ED Treatment

Table of Contents

What is impotence? Is impotence different from erectile dysfunction? What, exactly is the definition of impotence?

Impotence – otherwise known as erectile dysfunction – is a condition when a penis is unable to get or keep an erection for sexual intercourse. This is not to be confused with premature ejaculation where a male reaches an orgasm far too quickly during sex.

What makes a man impotent?

This health condition usually affects older males but can also affect younger men especially if they have an underlying medical condition that causes an inability to maintain erections. There are also psychological factors that can affect a man’s ability to get an erection.

What Causes Impotence?

In most cases, erectile dysfunction (impotence) occurs when blood flow to the penis is restricted. Several health conditions are linked to erectile dysfunction. These include:

• Diabetes
• Kidney diseases
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injury
• Trauma
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Obesity

Other causes of impotence also include psychological factors like stress, anxiety, and depression. Having low testosterone levels can also lead to impotence and may require hormone replacement therapy.

Studies show that approximately 40% of men are affected by impotence at age 40 and nearly 70% of men are affected at age 70. If you feel like you’re suffering from erectile dysfunction and you’re not sure what’s triggering it, it’s best if you seek medical advice from sexual health professionals so they can provide health information and discuss the right treatment options for you.

Risk Factors: What Causes Male Impotence in Younger People?

For younger folks, there are risk factors that increase the likelihood of suffering from impotence. Drinking too much alcohol makes it harder to maintain an erection regardless of age. And you might want to stop smoking because that’s one of the main causes of impotence.

Being overweight also affects your blood vessels’ ability to circulate blood throughout your body, especially to your penis. And so does substance abuse (drugs).

If you have cardiovascular disease or neurologic disorders, head to a clinic and talk to a doctor to get proper treatment and medications that can help you have pleasurable sexual intercourse again.

What Can Cause Impotence in Physically Fit Men?

Impotence impacts a large number of men for a wide variety of reasons, with global erectile dysfunction expected to increase to 322 million men by 2025.

It’s difficult to provide a one-size-fits-all answer for this reason. However, if you’re physically fit and still have a hard time getting an erection, the problem could be psychological in nature.

Do you have relationship problems? Do you have depression? Stress and related issues can contribute to your inability to stay erect during intercourse. If this is the case, you might benefit from making lifestyle changes to stay mentally happy. Booking an appointment with a mental health professional can lead you to answers to your sexual problems.

You can also talk to your partner or partners about making changes to how you have sex. If you’re not getting turned on by the usual moves, spicing things up in the bedroom can improve your chances of getting an erection.

Your penis might respond better to different positions. The inclusion of sex toys might also introduce a new dimension to your sex life.

At What Age Do Men Become Impotent?

Does impotence impact all men at some point in their life? And if so, at what age do men become impotent?

The majority (74%) of men will start seeing physical changes to their bodies around 53 to 59 years old. This is also the time when most of them will suffer from impotence. But some people only get impotent at age 60 and above.

At some point, a man will inevitably see erectile dysfunction become a part of his life as blood flow won’t be strong enough to last long enough for sex. But they can always go to a doctor to seek medical advice and get prescribed medications.

What Treatments Are Available for Erectile Dysfunction?

Even if you find yourself with impotence, there are several things you could do so that you get an erection again.

The first step is to go to a clinic and seek medical advice from an erectile dysfunction doctor. Doing so will give you a better idea of the root cause of the problem and the available treatments.

There are oral medications that you can take like Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca), Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and Avanafil (Stendra). These medications relax the muscles in your penis so that there’s an increase in blood flow. When you’re sexually stimulated while on these meds, you will get an erection.

But you can’t get these medications on your own. They can be dangerous especially if you have heart disease, a history of heart failure, or have low blood pressure (hypotension).

If you have low testosterone, then testosterone replacement therapy might be the way to go to get rid of the symptoms.

How to Address the Causes of Impotence for Men That Don’t Like Taking Medications

There are treatments available for those that don’t like taking medications. Penis pumps (also referred to as vacuum erection devices) are hand- or battery-powered devices that you insert your penis into.

Once you’re ready, you operate the pump so that all the air is sucked out. The vacuum created will force blood to rush to your penis which leads to an erection. You then slip on a tension ring which will keep the blood in place before removing the pump.

You can also achieve an erect penis by undergoing surgery and getting a penile implant. These are either inflatable or bendable rods that go into your penis. While there are pros and cons to each of these devices, they are both effective in giving impotent men erections when they’re ready for intercourse.

Also, you can try talking to your partner to remove some of the anxiety that you have about your inability to get an erection and how it can affect you. Addressing your anxiety might lift some of the burdens off of you, making you more relaxed.

It’s also important to talk about your options like getting surgery in a clinic or taking medications.

If relationship problems are the cause of your erectile dysfunction, you should talk to your partners about your inability to have sexual relations and how they can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)

What is the main cause of impotence?

Impotence is usually caused by the lack of blood flow to the vascular region of the body. Sometimes, it’s caused by psychological factors, alcohol, smoking, obesity, and other related health conditions.

What are the signs of impotence in a man?

A man is impotent if he is unable to get or sustain an erection consistently. Do note that there are times when men have problems getting an erection. If you still can have sex on most occasions, it’s very likely that you don’t have erectile dysfunction and don’t need medicine for it.

Can impotence be cured?

Curing impotence depends on the cause of the symptoms. If it’s psychological, you can treat it by talking to a health professional. If it’s due to a disease like diabetes, a doctor might give you medicine to address the symptoms or may recommend exercises such as kegels. If it’s due to old age, the doctor might recommend surgery or oral medications to help you manage your problems.

What does impotence mean?

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is a condition where males are unable to get an erection or keep them long enough for sexual intercourse. There are a lot of causes of impotence so you’ll need to go to a clinic for medical advice to find out what’s causing the issue.

If you’re having issues with impotence and may benefit from erectile dysfunction medical treatment, call the team at Priority Men’s Medical Center in Atlanta now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with our experienced and specially trained medical staff.

Erectile dysfunction in men of mature age

Urology

Publication No. 1

Men’s and Women’s Health Center:

“Age-related decline in male sexual activity is not inevitable….”

Is an age-related decline in a man’s sexual activity inevitable?

Erectile dysfunction in aging men – is it the norm or an alarm?

What to do, who to contact if, after 40 years, a man has erection problems and sexual desire weakens?

These questions are answered by a urologist, candidate of medical sciences, chief urologist of the city of Shakhty, Rostov region, Ametov Renat Enverovich (or someone else, for example, a doctor from the Andrological Center of Rostov)

Physician – The answer to the first question sounds optimistic: “Age-related decline in male sexual activity is not inevitable.” Moreover, the maintenance of high sexual activity in older men is an important indicator of their somatic health, primarily of the cardiovascular system.

– Renat Enverovich, I think your answer will surprise many. Clarify please,

What is the relationship between sex and cardiovascular health?

Doctor: – The connection is the most direct. Erection, i.e. the tension of the penis necessary for sexual intercourse is nothing more than a vascular reaction, which is formed in the same way as any other vascular reaction in the body. The degree of tension of the penis depends on the usefulness of the arterial blood flow to the vessels of the penis during sexual arousal and on the formation of venous outflow. Any factors that damage these mechanisms inevitably affect the quality of erection. For older men, atherosclerosis is the most common risk.

See what the diameter of the vessels looks like in different organs of a man.

As you can see, the arteries that feed the penis have a diameter 2 times smaller than the coronary arteries. Therefore, with systemic damage to the body by atherosclerosis, their lumen narrows to a greater extent and much earlier than the lumen of the coronary vessels.

Clinically, this is manifested by the weakening or complete disappearance of erections.

In this case, the lumen of the coronary vessels may still be sufficient so that the man does not feel pain in the heart. This is the danger – the destructive process has already begun, but the man does not seek medical help, believing that the deterioration in the quality of erection is an inevitable tribute to age. This is wrong! In case of symptoms of “male weakness” always contact the urologists! The main thing is to undergo an examination in a timely manner in order to avoid formidable complications.

For advice on urological diseases in men, you can contact:

346500, Shakhty, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko, 153, Municipal Budgetary Institution of Healthcare Emergency Hospital named after. IN AND. Lenin, urological department, on Thursdays, from 13:00-15:00,

Mines, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko 153, Center for Men’s and Women’s Health “Your Doctor”, an appointment by phone 8 (938) 111-62-11, 8 (8636) 22-44-33 on Tuesdays from 12:00-13:30

Publication 2

It turns out that erectile dysfunction is a formidable alarm signal indicating the possibility of developing cardiovascular diseases?

– Exactly. Erectile dysfunction that occurs in a man at an older age is a signal of latent insufficiency of the coronary and cerebral circulation. It occurs 1.5-2 years before a cardiovascular catastrophe – myocardial infarction or stroke.

In general, since men, like women, are conceived by nature as organisms that provide procreation, a man’s erectile function is an important indicator of his overall health.

Here are the facts.

Erectile dysfunction can be the first symptom of undiagnosed diabetes, depression, heart disease.

Erectile dysfunction is observed in 68% of men suffering from hypertension and in 60% of men with disorders of fat metabolism, 40% of men with erectile dysfunction have a significant narrowing of the coronary vessels.

– Does this mean that if a man notices a deterioration in erection, then he needs to immediately run to a cardiologist?

– Immediately run – “Yes”, but first of all you need to contact a urologist or andrologist.

The fact is that erectile dysfunction can have a variety of causes. To determine them is the task of a urologist or andrologist.

Let’s say the cause of erectile dysfunction is atherosclerotic vascular disease. Can a urologist or andrologist help in this case?

-After identifying the cause of sexual dysfunction, the urologist / andrologist will prescribe the necessary consultations of other specialists – a cardiologist, endocrinologist, psychotherapist. If the cause of the deterioration in the quality of erection is vascular damage, then treatment will be recommended. Today, medicine has a sufficient arsenal of means to restore or at least improve the ability of blood vessels to provide adequate blood supply to peripheral organs. I mean drugs like Viagra®, Cialis® and other similar drugs.

– Do these drugs help everyone? What to do if there is no effect?

– You look at the root. Indeed, since the strength of an erection depends on many factors, in some cases only Viagra is not enough.

For advice on urological diseases in men, you can contact:

346500, Shakhty, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko, 153, Municipal Budgetary Institution of Healthcare Emergency Hospital named after. IN AND. Lenin, urological department, on Thursdays, from 13:00-15:00,

Mines, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko 153, Center for Men’s and Women’s Health “Your Doctor”, appointment by phone 8 (938) 111-62-11, 8 (8636) 22-44-33 on Tuesdays from 12:00-13:30.

Publication 3

30-35% of patients with erectile dysfunction do not respond to therapy with such drugs. Why? The reasons may be different. For “aging” men, the most typical is the age-related decrease in testosterone levels. Testosterone can rightly be called the main hormone of the male body. It is testosterone that determines both the appearance of a man, and his character, and, of course, sexual behavior.

Testosterone affects all levels of regulation of male sexual function – from the formation of libido and sexual search, to the quality of erection and orgasm.

That is why, with a decrease in testosterone levels, a man’s sexual activity decreases, his erection worsens, and there are difficulties in achieving orgasm.

– Does this mean that all men with erectile dysfunction need to determine the level of testosterone?

– Quite right. The normal level of testosterone is so important to ensure full erectile function that its determination is included in the mandatory scope of examination of men with erectile dysfunction.

How to determine testosterone?

– Very simple – to come to an appointment with a urologist / andrologist. The doctor will talk to the man, most likely ask him to fill out a special questionnaire designed to identify symptoms of testosterone deficiency, and prescribe a laboratory examination.

For laboratory confirmation of testosterone deficiency, it is necessary to take a blood test for total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin twice, with an interval of 2 weeks, and then calculate the level of free testosterone using the formula. In some cases, to clarify the diagnosis, the level of gonadotropins in the blood, estradiol and dehydrotestosterone is additionally determined.

– And if it turns out that the level of testosterone is reduced? Are there ways to increase it?

– Certainly! First of all, don’t be afraid. Blood testosterone levels decline with age in all men. This process begins after 35-40 years and continues until the end of life. The rate of testosterone loss averages 2% per year. This does not mean that all men over 40 have clinical symptoms of androgen deficiency and erectile dysfunction.

The fact is that the aging process for everyone proceeds at different speeds. In addition, there are ways to maintain testosterone levels within physiological limits and, thus, slow down the process of age-related destruction of the body. I am talking about testosterone replacement therapy, for which effective and safe drugs have been developed today.

Returning to the topic of erectile dysfunction, I want to say that if drugs like Viagra do not help a man, then he should examine his hormonal profile and, if androgen deficiency is detected, add testosterone drugs to therapy.

For advice on urological diseases in men, you can contact:

346500, Shakhty, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko, 153, Municipal Budgetary Institution of Healthcare Emergency Hospital named after. IN AND. Lenin, urological department, on Thursdays, from 13:00-15:00,

Mines, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko 153, Center for Men’s and Women’s Health “Your Doctor”, appointment by phone 8 (938) 111-62-11, 8 (8636) 22-44-33 on Tuesdays from 12:00-13:30.

Publication 4

– Not all men are ready to take hormones. Are there other ways?

– A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and physical activity, and, most importantly, high sexual activity allow you to maintain a high level of testosterone for many years. But we are talking about men with erectile dysfunction, that is, those who, for various reasons, have already violated the mechanisms of self-regulation. For such men and in such a situation, there are no other ways than to add to the body in the form of drugs what is lost.

– Then tell us in more detail how effective testosterone replacement therapy is.

– I will not talk about all the beneficial effects of this way of maintaining the “youth” of a man – increasing vitality, improving mood, reducing fat mass and increasing muscle strength. I will only talk about sexual function. In men with androgen deficiency, the addition of Androgel® (1% testosterone gel) to Viagra and Cialis therapy increases the effectiveness of the treatment of erectile dysfunction by 2-3 times.

That is why the European Association of Urology included testosterone replacement therapy in combination with type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors (Viagra®, Cialis®, etc. ) in 2015 as a standard treatment for erectile dysfunction in men with androgen deficiency.

– The international community of experts has included testosterone replacement therapy in the standard of care for erectile dysfunction in men with androgen deficiency. Does this mean that there are no doubts about the safety of such therapy today?

– The world has already accumulated a lot of experience in long-term monitoring of patients receiving testosterone in the form of drugs. This experience allowed to remove many doubts and prejudices against testosterone replacement therapy.

– The main fear of patients, and many specialists, was prostate cancer.

– Today it has been proven that testosterone replacement therapy does not lead to histological changes in prostate tissue and does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

– Another concern was the effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on the cardiovascular system.

– Currently, there is no evidence that testosterone replacement therapy, which restores testosterone levels to physiological levels, provokes cardiovascular complications. Moreover, TRT appears to have beneficial effects on several reversible risk factors for cardiovascular disease. First of all, this concerns transdermal testosterone preparations, which enter the bloodstream, bypassing the primary passage through the liver, which avoids a negative effect on blood coagulation.

– Which drug should be chosen to avoid possible side effects?

For advice on urological diseases in men, you can contact:

346500, Shakhty, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko, 153, Municipal Budgetary Institution of Healthcare Emergency Hospital named after. IN AND. Lenin, urological department, on Thursdays, from 13:00-15:00,

Mines, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko 153, Center for Men’s and Women’s Health “Your Doctor”, appointment by phone 8 (938) 111-62-11, 8 (8636) 22-44-33 on Tuesdays from 12:00-13:30.

Publication 5

– Patients should not choose any drug on their own. A man only needs to seek the advice of a specialist if his sexual function worsens. A specialist – urologist / andrologist – will determine the indications for prescribing testosterone and, in the absence of contraindications, will choose the drug. The European Association of Urology recommends giving preference to short-acting drugs at the beginning of treatment, which, if necessary, can be easily canceled. Androgel® transdermal testosterone gel is such a preparation.

Androgel® is applied to clean skin daily, in the morning. The concentration of testosterone in serum increases from the first hour after the use of the drug, reaching a constant value from the second day of treatment. Daily fluctuations in testosterone concentrations when using Androgel are similar to fluctuations in the circadian rhythms of endogenous (own) testosterone. There are no “supraphysiological peaks” in the concentration of testosterone in the blood that occur with the injection method of application.
After discontinuation of the drug, testosterone levels return to baseline values ​​after 3-4 days.

– How quickly does it improve?

– That’s a very good question. Viagra®, Cialis® and similar drugs act immediately. This is the mechanism of their action. If these funds are not enough and a testosterone preparation is added to them, then an additional clinical effect develops gradually. It is important that patients do not expect immediate results. The patient notes the first positive changes at the 3rd week of testosterone therapy.

Sexual function is characterized by several parameters that differ in the time of onset of the clinical effect. When testosterone preparations are added to the treatment, sexual interest and desire, sexual thoughts and fantasies are the first to increase. Further, at the 12th week of therapy, morning (spontaneous) erections and sexual activity are restored, i.e. the desire to have sexual contact. At the same time, men note satisfaction with their sex life. The maximum improvement in erection itself should be expected no earlier than 50 weeks of therapy. At the same time, the timing of the onset of clinical effects of testosterone replacement therapy does not depend on the method of administration of testosterone preparations, i.e. they are the same for injectable, oral and transdermal preparations.

– How long can I continue treatment with testosterone preparations?

– For as long as necessary. Do not forget that aging, once begun, never stops. And androgen deficiency plays an important, if not the leading role in the process of irreversible age-related destruction. By prescribing testosterone preparations, we essentially resist the aging of a man, slow down, make the inevitable more harmonious. When to stop this resistance, everyone decides for himself. Like any treatment, testosterone replacement therapy requires periodic reassessment of the risks and expected benefits. That is why a man receiving a testosterone drug needs to periodically undergo (repeat) an examination by a specialist who prescribed the treatment.

– Say something optimistic in the end.

– I’ll talk about “natural” ways to maintain healthy testosterone levels.

First of all, it is a regular sexual life. Each sexual contact increases the level of testosterone in the blood of a man. And sexual contacts 3 times a week reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 2 times!

The second important factor is physical activity. Don’t neglect exercise! Rational physical activity maintains testosterone levels, and testosterone, in turn, maintains the desire and ability to move, including during intercourse.

Third, diet. Obesity leads to a decrease in testosterone levels, since adipose tissue has the ability to secrete female sex hormones – estrogen. Don’t overeat!

Dear men! Take care of your testosterone! Do not let it decline and then erectile dysfunction will not overshadow your life!

For advice on urological diseases in men, you can contact:

346500, Shakhty, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko, 153, Municipal Budgetary Institution of Healthcare Emergency Hospital named after. IN AND. Lenin, urological department, on Thursdays, from 13:00-15:00,

Mines, Rostov region, st. Shevchenko 153, Center for Men’s and Women’s Health “Your Doctor”, appointment by phone 8 (938) 111-62-11, 8 (8636) 22-44-33 on Tuesdays from 12:00-13:30.

symptoms, how and what to treat, what it is

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Articles

What is erectile dysfunction?

And although today this statement can be argued, potency is especially important for a man and gives him, if not strength, then at least self-confidence.

However, the conditions of modern life, stress, bad habits, malnutrition, diseases – all this leads to the development of such a disorder as erectile dysfunction. This disease is more popularly known as impotence, which is translated from Latin as “impotence”.

So, what is erectile dysfunction in men?

Erectile dysfunction is a potency disorder in which it is difficult for a man to achieve and maintain an erection necessary for full sexual intercourse.

According to statistics, about 40% of men aged 35-40 face this problem. In recent years, there has been a tendency to increase this figure and “rejuvenate” the problem – the first symptoms of erectile dysfunction are encountered already at the age of 18-20.

Further in the article, we will describe in more detail what erectile dysfunction is, what symptoms it is accompanied by and what stages of the disorder are distinguished, as well as get acquainted with the methods of treating erectile dysfunction and the features of its treatment at the Consilium Medical clinic.

What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction

How does erectile dysfunction manifest itself? Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease and can be either mild or reach the complete sexual failure of a man.

Violation not only causes psychological discomfort, but may also indicate various diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension. Therefore, it is very important to recognize the symptoms of erectile dysfunction in time and consult a doctor.

In summary, symptoms of erectile dysfunction may include the following:

• No morning erection
• Inability to produce an erection even with external stimulation
• Slow onset of erection when aroused, or its complete absence
• Premature ejaculation (ejaculation)

Distinguish between organic and psychogenic erectile dysfunction. In the first case, the pathology begins slowly and in most cases – from a decrease in libido. In the second case, erectile dysfunction begins acutely during intercourse and is intermittent, that is, it occurs from case to case. At the same time, any violations outside of sexual intercourse, for example, the absence of a morning erection, may not be observed.

Erectile dysfunction in men, degrees of pathology

It is believed that erectile dysfunction in men is due to continuous clinical and morphological changes in the cavernous tissue and tunica albuginea of ​​the cavernous bodies. This allows you to highlight the degree of erectile dysfunction, depending on the severity of the pathological process. This is more true for violations of an organic nature than a psychogenic one.

So, the following degrees of erectile dysfunction are distinguished:

• Mild – usually male able to have intercourse
• Moderate – a man is sometimes able to have sexual intercourse
• Severe – male unable to have sexual intercourse

Also, erectile dysfunction in men can be compensated, subcompensated and decompensated.

What to do and how to treat erectile dysfunction

The main question of men who have erectile dysfunction is what to do? In most cases, men do not recognize problems with potency for a long time and attribute all failures to external circumstances. However, the sooner the disorder is diagnosed, the sooner a man can resume his sexual activity and regain his confidence!

Before starting treatment, the patient should emphasize the importance of a proper lifestyle, eliminating risk factors, giving up bad habits, and observing a regimen of sexual activity. Only by adhering to these recommendations can you be sure of the effectiveness of the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

How to treat pathology?

The choice of treatment method depends primarily on the cause of impotence. With psychogenic erectile dysfunction, the main role is assigned to drug therapy and work with a psychologist, with organic – drug treatment. If erectile dysfunction was caused by any somatic disease, it should be eliminated first.

So, in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, the following are used:

• Medications – Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, herbal preparations, dietary supplements, hormones
• Massage
• Vacuum Therapy
• LFK
• Shock Wave Therapy
• Surgery – used when conservative therapy fails

How erectile dysfunction is treated at the Consilium Medical clinic

How to treat erectile dysfunction, they know at the Consilium Medical clinic in Kyiv.