In many cases, erectile dysfunction can be reversed. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found a 29 percent remission rate after 5 years. It's important to note that even when ED cannot be cured, proper treatment can reduce or eliminate symptoms. Erectile dysfunction in and of itself is not life-threatening and, in some cases, is temporary. However, it can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious health condition.
Treatments for ED are usually effective and the problem often goes away. ED can last from a few months to years. Depending on the underlying cause, you may have erectile dysfunction for the rest of your life. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), erection problems must occur for at least six months to be considered erectile dysfunction. The reason for the connection between ED and conditions such as heart disease is often due to problems in the inner lining of blood vessels, called the endothelium, and in smooth muscle.
Many of the health problems associated with heart disease and stroke are also related to erectile dysfunction, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In some cases, lifestyle changes can also be helpful in combating ED, as well as reducing the risk of other health problems. For more information on how to diagnose, treat, and learn how to overcome erectile dysfunction, read What to Do About Erectile Dysfunction, a special health report from Harvard Medical School. More than 50% of all men between 40 and 70 years old report some level of ED. In men who have no other health problems and who cannot identify a specific cause of erectile dysfunction, medications such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, or avanafil usually treat ED successfully.
However, research suggests that the sooner a man experiences erectile dysfunction that is not due to psychological factors, the more likely he is to have hidden endothelial dysfunction, sometimes called hidden endothelial dysfunction, and the more likely he is to suffer something like a heart attack in the future. The Sexual Counseling Association has fact sheets on medications and other treatments for ED. However, if erectile dysfunction is an ongoing problem, it can cause stress, affect self-confidence, and contribute to relationship problems. Several underlying medical conditions can cause ED, and other factors such as stress, depression, or anxiety can worsen it. Endothelial dysfunction causes an inadequate supply of blood to the heart and a deterioration in blood flow to the penis. Evaluating and treating erectile dysfunction is important not only for your sexual health but it can also benefit your overall long-term health.
Doctors also often use medications such as sildenafil (sold as Viagra) to treat ED. Your husband should see his healthcare provider for testing for these and similar conditions as a first step in identifying the possible cause of erectile dysfunction. It qualifies as ED only when it occurs frequently or when it gets progressively worse.
