Erectile dysfunction is the consistent or recurrent inability to acquire or sustain a sufficiently rigid erection.
Men with erectile dysfunction are unable to get an erection hard enough to satisfy themselves or their partners.
Premature ejaculation is a form of sexual dysfunction where there is rapid or early release of sperms.
Erectile dysfunction is the consistent or recurrent inability to acquire or sustain a sufficiently rigid erection. Men with erectile dysfunction are unable to get an erection hard enough to satisfy themselves or their partners.
Premature ejaculation is a form of sexual dysfunction where there is rapid or early release of sperms. This occurs within one minute of penetration. It can occur during the first sexual experience or following a new bothersome change in ejaculatory latency, which is the inability to delay ejaculation in all or nearly all penetrations.
Distress, frustration among others may contribute to a man finding it hard to delay ejaculation. In some cases, people with premature ejaculation avoid sexual intimacy.
How common is it?
In Kenya, there are no statistics to indicate the number of people with erectile dysfunction because many suffer in silence and such discussions are perceived as taboo in Africa. However, global studies estimate that about 30 to 60 percent of men experience erectile dysfunction. The prevalence also increases as one advance in age.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
There are many lifestyle choices and medical conditions that predispose men to erectile dysfunction. These include; obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol use, chronic illnesses, neurological conditions, and psychological conditions.
Alcohol abuse: Excessive alcohol intake is one of the common main risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Alcohol causes various cardiovascular changes in the body – affecting the nerves and blood flow and a combination of this can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Smoking: Smoke interferes with many bodily functions. Smoking causes inflammation in the body system thus interrupting blood flow to the penis. For one to have a good erection, the blood vessels, nerves, and the testosterone hormone have to be intact and not interrupted which is what smoking interferes with. Smoking causes blood flow to be inadequate due to the blockage of the arteries as a result of inflammation.
Obesity: Obese men tend to have low levels of testosterone, they are more likely to have high blood pressure, may have diabetes and cholesterol problems. Cholesterol blocks the arteries leading to insufficient blood flow which in turn interferes with sustaining a good erection. Obese men may also be on medication to treat blood pressure and diabetes— some of these medications can also give rise to erectile dysfunction.
Chronic diseases: Drugs used to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease interferes with the blood vessels and nerves and hence interrupt blood flow which is critical to sustaining a good erection.
Neurological problems: Men with conditions that interfere with the central nervous system like stroke, dementia, and seizures among others are at risk of getting erectile dysfunction. These diseases damage the nerves, including those in the male reproductive organ.
Psychological causes: Problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression can also lead to erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Cycling: Though considered a myth, for serious cyclers, there is prolonged pressure on the nerves and blood supply to the pelvic area which causes numbness in the penis. Pelvic numbness is a result of pressure to the nerves and limited oxygen supply to the arteries leading to erectile dysfunction.
Some studies done locally have found an increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction in patients who cycle. However, it remains controversial but there's some evidence to suggest it causes erectile dysfunction.
Chewing Khat/Miraa: This has been one of the most controversial causes of erectile dysfunction. However, men who have used khat for a long time can have erectile dysfunction because it interferes
with the cardiovascular system— affecting nerves and blood flow.
If you suspect to have erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, it is important to be evaluated by your doctors.
Sometimes erectile dysfunction can be a sign of something more serious and seeing a doctor is critical to managing the condition and any other underlying health issues before it worsens.
Dr Mucheru is a consultant family physician at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi
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