Between 30 million and 50 million men in the US have erectile dysfunction (ED) \u2014 defined as difficulty getting and keeping an erection \u2014 including a staggering 70% of men over 70. Two physicians explained to The Post what\u2019s behind this common condition \u2014 and how to get your mojo back.
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Flaccidity is often caused by blood flow issues stemming from hardened arteries, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Nerve damage that disrupts signals from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles is also a major factor. \u201cA normal erection requires coordination between the brain, hormones, nerves, blood vessels and smooth muscle. Any disruption in that pathway can cause erectile dysfunction,\u201d Dr. Justin Houman, of Tower Urology at Cedars-Sinai, told The Post.<\/p>\n
Metabolic, hormonal and neurological disorders can interrupt these important nerve signals. Diabetes, for instance, is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar, which can damage nerves and blood vessels essential for erections. \u201cMedications, including blood pressure drugs, antidepressants and chemotherapy agents, can cause erectile dysfunction,\u201d Houman added. \u201cPelvic surgery, obesity, sleep apnea, chronic kidney or liver disease and smoking also increase risk, while psychological factors like depression, anxiety and relationship stress can trigger or worsen erectile dysfunction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very common complaint,\u201d Dr. Jay Amin, a urologist at Orlando Health Medical Group Urology, told The Post. \u201cIn these scenarios, we want to rule out medical or hormonal conditions and then tackle reversible things like blood flow issues.\u201d Anxiety about performing or underperforming can create a cycle of avoidance that is easily misinterpreted as disinterest. NDABCREATIVITY \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/p>\n Houman noted that desire and arousal are two distinct processes. \u201cMen who find their partners attractive may still struggle with erections if blood vessels, nerves or hormones are impaired,\u201d he explained. \u201cPartners often assume the issue is a lack of attraction, but this is rarely the case.\u201d Anxiety about performing or underperforming can create a cycle of avoidance that is easily misinterpreted as disinterest, Houman added.<\/p>\n Men experiencing ED should first contact their primary care doctor. Phushutter \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span> Amin and Houman agree that men experiencing ED should first contact their primary care doctor. \u201cPrimary care physicians can evaluate underlying conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and hormonal disorders, and manage simple cases. If erectile dysfunction persists or requires specialized treatment, the doctor can refer the patient to a urologist,\u201d said Houman.<\/p>\n Because ED can signal a more serious underlying condition, particularly heart disease, it should not be ignored. The good news is that there are several treatment options for ED. Amin pointed out that medications are easier to access than ever before, thanks to direct-to-patient platforms like HIMS or Ro, so you don\u2019t even have to see a doctor in person.<\/p>\n Treatments vary depending on the cause of the ED and the patient\u2019s goals, but any plan should begin with lifestyle changes, Houman said. \u201cLifestyle changes are the foundation: controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar; losing weight; exercising; reducing alcohol and quitting smoking can improve erectile function,\u201d he said. Addressing sleep apnea and\/or depression can also lessen symptoms of ED, while oral medications can enhance blood flow to the penis.<\/p>\n Further, psychological counseling can help confront performance anxiety, depression and relationship stress. For those who require more intensive treatment, vacuum erection devices are designed to draw blood into the penis with a plastic cylinder and a pump. A constriction band helps maintain the erection. Beyond the band, Houman said that intracavernosal injections or intra\u2011urethral medications produce reliable erections that satisfy about 70% of patients. \u201cWhen other therapies fail, inflatable or semi\u2011rigid penile implants provide dependable erections with high satisfaction rates,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that affects millions of men in the US. Understanding the causes and available treatments can help men regain their confidence and improve their relationships. By addressing underlying medical conditions, making lifestyle changes, and seeking professional help, men can overcome ED and achieve a normal erection.<\/p>\n Introduction to Erectile Dysfunction Between 30 million and 50 million men in the US have erectile dysfunction (ED) \u2014 defined as difficulty getting and keeping an erection \u2014 including a staggering 70% of men over 70. Two physicians explained to The Post what\u2019s behind this common condition \u2014 and how to get your mojo back. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":25077,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-25075","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health-wellness"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2025%2F11%2Fnewspress-collage-4fbcj4lyu-1762535981754.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall%261762526496&w=1920&resize=1920,1279&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25075"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25075"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25078,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25075\/revisions\/25078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25077"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Understanding Desire and Arousal<\/h3>\n
What should you do if you have ED?<\/h2>\n
Importance of Seeking Medical Attention<\/h3>\n
How is ED treated?<\/h2>\n
Available Treatment Options<\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
FAQs<\/h2>\n
\n
\nA: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as difficulty getting and keeping an erection.<\/li>\n
\nA: ED can be caused by blood flow issues, nerve damage, metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders, and psychological factors.<\/li>\n
\nA: Yes, desire and arousal are two distinct processes, and men who find their partners attractive may still struggle with erections if blood vessels, nerves or hormones are impaired.<\/li>\n
\nA: Men experiencing ED should first contact their primary care doctor, who can evaluate underlying conditions and manage simple cases or refer the patient to a urologist if necessary.<\/li>\n
\nA: Treatments vary depending on the cause of the ED and the patient\u2019s goals, but any plan should begin with lifestyle changes, and may include oral medications, psychological counseling, vacuum erection devices, and penile implants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"