Erectile Dysfunction: 5 Essential Things Every Man Should Know

Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology | March 28, 2025

Erectile dysfunction, abbreviated as ED is a common issue that affects thousands of males every year. It impacts lives in many ways, compromising an individual’s ability to perform during sexual intercourse, which hampers their confidence and can even take a toll on their mental well-being. However, by identifying early signs of erectile dysfunction and seeking treatment at the right time, it is possible to overcome the issue. Let’s explore it in further detail.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is the inability of the penis to attain or maintain an erection, which hampers their ability to engage in sexual intercourse. The causes of erectile dysfunction can be varied and range from physical to psychological factors. The most common causes include the following:

Physical Factors

• Poor Lifestyle: Unhealthy lifestyle practices such as smoking, drinking, lack of exercise, and obesity can contribute to erectile dysfunction.
• Cardiovascular Diseases: Heart diseases like Coronary artery disease, high blood pressure impact blood flow to the penis.
• Unbalanced Hormones: An imbalance of hormones can lead to a lowering of the testosterone levels, causing ED.
• Diabetes: This is another condition that leads to ED by causing severe damage to blood vessels, restricting the flow of blood to the penis.

Psychological Factors

• Stress: Stress causes innumerable challenges, including ED. Any kind of stress can harmfully lead to the onset of ED and must be avoided.
• Performance Anxiety: Overthinking about performance during sexual intercourse can lead to performance anxiety, directly leading to ED.

Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms

Since ED can impact anyone, it is important to know erectile dysfunction symptoms for early detection and treatment. Following are the key symptoms:

• Minimized desire for sexual intercourse
• Less frequency of morning erections
• Challenge in achieving or maintaining an erection
• Inability to perform sexually
• Increased performance anxiety and increased time to get aroused.

Best Exercises for Erectile Dysfunction

Since erectile dysfunction can in most cases be reversed, it is essential for men to know the best exercises for erectile dysfunction. These include the following:

• Aerobics: Aerobic exercises like cycling, walking, jogging, and more are highly beneficial for dealing with erectile dysfunction. 30 minutes of walking or jogging and cycling can improve heart health, lower obesity, and in turn minimize the risk of ED.
• Strength Workouts: Incorporating strength workouts in your daily routine is essential for enhancing the level of testosterone in the body. Lifting weights also helps in boosting stamina, which can enhance performance and boost confidence.
• Kegel Exercise: Kegel exercises are a powerful physical activity to make the pelvic floor strong, which in turn helps in lowering the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Best Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

While ED can be temporary, it may also be chronic, which is when most individuals need treatment. To get over this challenge, the best erectile dysfunction treatments include the following:

• Medical Management: Use of PDE5I medicines such as Viagra can help an individual overcome ED and engage in sexual activities without disruption. Another medical option includes testosterone therapy, ideally suited for individuals who have low testosterone levels.
• Treatment Procedures: Beyond medicines, there are treatment procedures as well that can be explored. These include treatments like penile growth factor injections, vacuum devices, Penile shockwave therapy and penile prosthesis surgery. Each of these treatment options has distinctive advantages and be individualized according to the patient’s requirements.

How to Improve Erectile Function

In order to avoid suffering from ED, it is essential to know how to improve erectile function. This helps in ensuring that your chances of experiencing erectile dysfunction are lowered. Below are the key ways to follow:

• Healthier Food Choices: One of the first steps is to incorporate healthy foods into your diet. Foods rich in Omega-3 are perfect for heart health, which helps in improving erectile function.
• Avoid Stress: Managing stress is another important practice for improving erectile function.
• Regular Check-Ups: Regular health check-ups are essential to ensure everything is working in the right order and for identifying issues early.

If you are experiencing or are worried about ED, reach out to us at AINU, Hyderabad’s leading urological specialty hospital. Our experienced cadre of doctors is here to help you navigate through the challenges of erectile dysfunction, provide in-depth consultation, and guidance on how to manage the condition. Our discreet and professional services, in a comfortable environment, ensure that every patient feels at ease and gets treated in the right manner, suitable for the extent of severity they experience. Erectile dysfunction is a common issue, and we are here to help you overcome it through proper diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

Erectile dysfunction impacts a large number of males in India and around the world. It can happen at any time and due to various reasons. While it is essential to practice a healthy lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking, drinking, and a sedentary lifestyle, and instead choosing a healthy lifestyle for yourself, it can still, in some cases, affect an individual. To remedy the condition, professional help may be needed, along with a proactive approach to identifying changes and early symptoms and getting checked by trusted and reputed specialists.

FAQs

What are the early signs of erectile dysfunction?

Some common early signs of ED are an inability to get and maintain an erection, lowered sexual needs, a reduction of morning erections, and anxiety about performing. Noticing these signs early on can help in identifying and fixing the issue quickly.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

ED can impact anyone; however, individuals suffering from diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or heart conditions are more likely to experience it. Additionally, individuals experiencing high stress, depression, or anxiety can also develop this condition.

Can erectile dysfunction affect fertility?

ED indirectly affects fertility. This is because it has zero impact on the sperm, their quality, as well as their quantity. However, it makes intercourse challenging, thereby impacting the chances of conceiving significantly.

What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?

ED refers to the inability of a male to get and/or maintain an erection. This condition can impact anyone primarily because of an unhealthy lifestyle or psychological factors and can either be a random occurrence or a chronic issue that may need medical intervention.