Sanchita, a distinguished writer with a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from Centurion University of Technology and Management, has carved a niche for herself in the realm of sexual health writing. Her proficiency in both English and Hindi adds depth and versatility to her work. Sanchita's journey in writing began early; she was an integral part of editorial teams in various school and college magazines. Her college years were enriched by her active involvement in the literature club, where she honed her skills further. Sanchita is also passionate about fiction writing and painting, showcasing her artistic versatility.
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Updated on 8th February 2025
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Let’s talk about something that’s often brushed under the rug but it affects millions of men all over the world- Erectile Dysfunction (ED). It’s not just about what happens (or doesn’t happen) in the bedroom- ED can say a lot more than that, it’s about our health.
ED is a signal if something is wrong with your body’s machine. For some, it’s seen for some time, for others it’s more persistent. Either way, it can be frustrating, sometimes embarrassing and often misunderstood. But here’s the good news- ED is more common than you all might think, and it can be treated and managed with the right care.
So, let’s find out. What does ED really mean? What causes it? And most importantly, what can you do about it?
Erectile dysfunction (ED), is a sexual dysfunction, a man’s inability to get or sustain an erection sufficient or firm/hard enough to have sexual intercourse. It is usually a symptom of an underlying condition that can affect a person’s emotional and/ or physical health. It is known to be one of the most common sexual dysfunctions that men nowadays suffer from- it can greatly affect a man’s sexual performance.
ED can occur mainly due to one, or both, of two ways:
Recognising the dual factors for Allo Health’s treatment for ED targets to solve both physical symptoms and mental health concerns.
When a man is sexually aroused (when there is sexual stimulation or when a man feels ‘turned on’), the brain signals the release of some chemicals that help to increase blood flow to the penis. Along with this, the spongy tissues in the penis relax and trap the blood in the penis which increases the blood pressure and causes an erection.
Erections are highly dependent on the blood flow mechanism – and if this is impacted in any way, there is a chance that erectile functioning can be negatively altered.
There are two types of Erectile Dysfunction (ED):
Primary Erectile Dysfunction
Primary erectile dysfunction is a rare condition where a man has never been able to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. Primary ED means the person has never ever experienced an erection, even under ideal situations. This is different from those who have lost the ability to get an erection over time- which is described below.
Causes of Primary ED
Primary ED is mainly due to underlying psychological factors or severe congenital or developmental issues. Psychological factors like:
In rarer cases, biological factors can also be a reason:
Secondary Erectile Dysfunction
This type of erectile dysfunction is far more common and is seen in men who were previously able to get and sustain erections but have since lost this ability. The causes are normally organic, due to physical health conditions or lifestyle factors. The most prevalent forms of organic causes of erectile dysfunction are cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders and chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes or more.
Causes of Secondary ED
Neurological Disorders: Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries can disrupt our nerve signals to the penis and affect our erection function.
Atherosclerosis: This is a condition that happens from the build-up of plaque in the artery walls. This build-up could be due to fats and cholesterol. The reason this is correlated with ED is that the build-up makes arteries narrow down which in turn restricts blood flow – a main influencing factor in ED.
Cardiovascular Diseases: Narrowed arteries due to atherosclerosis reduce the blood flow rate to the penis and make it difficult to maintain an erection.
Diabetes: Diabetes, or high blood sugar can cause some nerve damage and blood vessel damage which changes blood flow to the penis. Those who have diabetes are 3 times more likely to develop Erectile Dysfunction – a longer duration of diabetes is also closely associated with sexual dysfunction. Both ED and Diabetes can be experienced co-currently – in fact, a 2024 review pooled the global prevalence of ED at 65.8% among men with diabetes.
Many causes can affect erectile function. These can include:
The unfortunate fact about sexual wellness is the stigma associated with it – therefore, while there are a few people who accept that ED can disrupt a person’s life, psychological factors are barely taken into consideration. This is because therapy is commonly considered taboo. However, Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction is a sexual dysfunction that affects many – its main cause is a psychological factor.
Understanding the causes of Erectile Dysfunction is imperative to know why you’re having concerns with erectile functioning. In fact, during an evaluation, a sexual health professional will analyse your medical and sexual history in order to pinpoint the right cause behind your ED diagnosis.
The main symptom of erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or sustain a penile erection, all or most of the time.
Other symptoms of ED:
However, these symptoms can differ in severity and duration from person to person. Those people that feel these symptoms have affected them not only physically, but psychologically as well. This is because the symptoms can cause mental distress in many ways.
One of the most important parts of sexual wellness is to understand how to identify symptoms associated with common sexual disorders. Understanding the symptoms of ED will help you identify them sooner, and get professional help as well.
If you are having any concerns or symptoms related to erectile functioning – such as the inability to get or sustain an erection – we encourage you to reach out to a sexual health professional. Erectile dysfunction can have many complications if not treated properly.
It is imperative to understand that treatment for ED is possible. Due to the many causes behind ED, a holistic evaluation will give the right insights into your symptoms. Based on this and your medical history, your ED symptoms and their underlying causes will be treated by sex doctors.
Erectile Dysfunction can sometimes lead to impotence due to the common occurrence of the lack of vaginal penetration that is needed to get pregnant. Due to this reason, many people seek help at a later time in their life when they are planning a family – however, it is recommended that erectile function symptoms should be checked on and treated with urgency and care.
Normal nocturnal erections – erections that happen at night – are not always correlated with erections that are stimulated through sex. In fact, it does not always mean that there is a sexual dysfunction present – this is why it’s important to speak to a professional beforehand.
You should see your doctor if you have:
If you are experiencing symptoms of ED, we recommend you to connect with a doctor for a full diagnosis. You can consult a sexual health doctor at any one of 20+ Allo Sexual Health Clinics at just Rs. 499 or through an online consultation at just Rs. 199.
Your ED can be a warning sign of many serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension. Diagnosing ED helps to detect it beforehand and manage this condition which helps to prevent many severe complications. Diagnosing erectile dysfunction (ED) needs to analyse your medical history, get some physical examination, and diagnostic tests:
Early and comprehensive evaluation is very important to find out your cause of ED so that the doctor can guide you to the right treatment. A thorough evaluation of medical history and lifestyle factors is done at Allo Health to find out the main cause of our patient’s ED. With 30+ clinics and a team of 30 specialised doctors, we give proven and personalised treatment plans to treat both the physiological and psychological factors of ED.
In contrast to popular belief, Erectile Dysfunction can be treated. However, due to the stigma associated with sexual wellness, many people hesitate to get timely treatment. The main forms of ED treatment include:
The type of treatment needed is only fixed after the cause of their symptoms is ironed out. It is however possible for the course of treatment to vary or change as the treatment continues. The reason behind this is that how the symptoms improve and their progress will help to find out the duration of the treatment, and its type.
Most commonly, people are scared of surgery for Erectile Dysfunction. It is important to remember that this surgery is considered to be the absolute last option – and in most cases isn’t even needed. There are many treatment methods, before penile implant surgery, that are recommended by doctors based on a person’s medical history, symptom duration, severity and impact.
While oral prescription medications are commonly the first-line treatment for ED, psychological counselling or therapy can help you not only cope with your ED but also help you keep confident and positive during treatment. It is also important to remember that in some cases, only therapy might be needed – as the cause of your ED symptoms could solely be psychological factors.
A quick run-down of ED treatments:
Dr. Sandip Deshpande, medical lead at Allo Health, emphasises: “Sexual health stretches to more than just the act of sex. It’s a complete package of your mental, emotional, and physical being. It is necessary for a fulfilling life. Following that, sexual satisfaction emerges as natural.”
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can affect us beyond sexual performance and impact many aspects of a man’s health and well-being.
Psychological Impact: ED often causes many psychological challenges like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The difficulty of getting an erection brings stress and strain to one’s intimate relationships which lowers their sexual interest and causes depression. In a recent survey men said ED not only affects sexual health but also has the potential to impact self-confidence (58%), personal and romantic relationships (53%), and mental health (49%).
Cardiovascular Health: ED usually serves as an early sign of cardiovascular diseases. The blood vessels in the penis are small and it blocks quite easily, so if there’s any blocking, it’s likely that the arteries to your heart are also affected which increases heart attack risk.
Your Living Condition: Your quality of life, daily chores, work performance, and happiness are usually affected by the physical and psychological effects of ED.
A recent survey conducted by Talker Research for Rugiet Health in June 2024 talked about how many men feel uncomfortable talking about their health due to privacy concerns, embarrassment, or fear of looking less “manly.” Over half of the respondents prefer to “tough it out” when unwell.
Over the years, Allo Health has helped more than 75,000 patients with sexual wellness concerns, including 10,000+ specific cases of ED. Our personalised treatment plan gives a high success rate in improving sexual function and overall health of our patients. Treating ED properly is important, not just only to improve your sexual function but also to bring your overall health back on track.
We can prevent or minimise ED’s impact by taking its causes into consideration. Here are some tips:
Healthy Lifestyle Choices:
Manage Other Chronic Health Conditions:
Manage Your Mental Health:
ED is often linked to other medical and lifestyle factors. Get proper medical treatment, and build a healthy lifestyle to manage this condition. It’s not just about your sex life, it’s about your health.
