What is Erectile Dysfunction?

The term "erectile dysfunction" has replaced the outdated term "impotence". The word "impotence" is no longer used, because it does not give a clear explanation of the problem. Moreover, the use of this term led to an incorrect understanding of this condition. Men suffering from erectile dysfunction, are not sterile and retain the ability to ejaculation and orgasm, as well as all other men. They also have all the normal male sex characteristics. Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be defined as "inability to achieve and (or) to maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity."
For most men at some time in their lives may be problems with achieving and maintaining an erection, possibly due to excessive stress, receiving large amounts of alcohol, or simply fatigue. However, if this problem persists, it most likely is associated with erectile dysfunction. ED affects 100 million men worldwide and 30 million men in the United States. The study of men's health showed the overall prevalence of ED, equal to 39% in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Italy and Spain.

Study IMSM (Massachusetts study on issues of aging men) found that 52% of men aged ot40 to 70 years in varying degrees, suffered from erectile dysfunction. Many men with erectile dysfunction to suffer in silence because they believe it - artificial problem that they have to put up with her because they grow old or because there is still nothing to be done.

Why erectile dysfunction appears?

To understand why there is erectile dysfunction, it is useful to know how an erection appears. When a man is sexually excited, his brain sends signals to nerve endings in the tissues of the penis. This causes dilation of blood vessels in the penis and increases blood flow to it, which, in turn, leads to an erection. At the same time, those vessels, which usually occurs outflow of blood from the penis, are dwindling. This combination of increased blood flow to the penis and reduce its outflow leads to a full erection.

After the sexual act is the outflow of blood from the penis, and he returns to the relaxed state.