Men Health Information:
Do you know your health risks?
Understanding the health risks for men is a crucial part in maintaining a healthy life. A few simple lifestyle changes can help address mens health concerns including heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes and stroke.
When a man can't get an erection to have sex or can't keep an erection long enough to finish having sex, it's called erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is also called impotence. Erectile dysfunction can occur at any age, but it is more common in men older than 65
Is erectile dysfunction just a part of old age?
Erectile dysfunction doesn't have to be a part of getting older. It's true that as you get older, you may need more stimulation (such as stroking and touching) to get an erection. You might also need more time between erections. But older men should still be able to get an erection and enjoy sex.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
See the box to the right for some physical causes of erectile dysfunction. The following medical problems can also cause erectile dysfunction:
- Diabetes (high blood sugar)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
If you can't keep your blood sugar or your blood pressure under control, you can get erectile dysfunction. It's important that you take your medicines for these problems just the way your doctor tells you.
Sometimes your hormones get out of balance and this causes erectile dysfunction. Your doctor will decide if you need blood tests to check your hormones.
Some medicines can cause erectile dysfunction. If this is true for you, your doctor may take you off that medicine or give you a different one.
Drinking too much alcohol, smoking too much and abusing drugs can also cause erectile dysfunction.
Problems in your relationship with your sexual partner can also cause erectile dysfunction. You might try therapy to see if improving your relationship helps your sex life. Therapy will probably be most effective if your sex partner is included. Couples can learn new ways to please one another and to show affection. This can reduce any of your anxiety about having erections.
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