Frequency and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction

The causes and risk of prostate disease very much mimic those of cardiovascular diseases.

The frequency of having not being able to achieve and erection and experiencing prostate issues generally depends on men’s age, thereof it is somewhat logical (and has been confirmed by many studies) that risk increases with age, of special risk associated in men over the age of 65 years. Interestingly, this prevalence rise is appears to be most common in men working in the health industry (medical staff and physicians). 40 years ago erectile dysfunction disorders were rare and occurred in approximately 4% of men, but in the last 70 years, this problem has grown and it now affects for about 50% of the male population.

Risk factors of prostate disease include high blood pressure, chronic stress, obesity, dyslipidemia and the lack of physical activity, which makes these risk very similar to cardiovascular diseases. In fact, erectile dysfunction, as a result of prostate disease, is often compared to cardiovascular disease as in both are caused by blockage and the narrowing of the arteries. Arteries in the prostate are very small in diameter to those in the cardiovascular system, therefore it is extremely that man experiencing prostate and erection issues, also have a check-up in relation to cardiovascular disease. Taking immediately and appropriate measures can prevent the incidence of future complications and health concerns.

If the erection absent or of insufficient in intensity, as well inadequate for the duration for sexual intercourse, then there is a likelihood that prostate disease may have developed and has in turn resulted in erectile dysfunction. As mentioned, prostate diseases causes erectile dysfunction in almost 50% of men over the age of 40 (as indicated by several studies) have more or less expressed prostrate problems and achieving strong and healthy erection.

Some studies have revealed that there is a link between a high number of cardiovascular problems, premature mortality and men experiencing prostate diseases that have the inability to form an erections. For example, during a six-year research, it has been shown that erectile problems increase the risk for cardiovascular incidence by 44%, stroke by 39% , 62% of myocardial infarction causing risk death by 25%.

If we take into account all of the above, we can see that it is very useful for men over the age of 40 to have regular check-ups to allow for early detection and treatment. This is especially true for those men who have already experienced some of the above identified risk factors, or have noticed that their erection is not strong enough for the normal sexual intercourse, or if the man is a smoker.

It is useful to commence testing by by completing the IIEF 5 questionnaire (a test used to determine the international erectile index), which consists of five (5) questions related to the erectile function over a period of the past six (6) months. Each answer is scored between one (1) and five (5), if the score is less than 21 then it is recommended for further analysis be conducted, consisting of hormonal examinations (total testosterone, FHS, LH, estradiol, TSH and prolactin) and in some cases electronic neurography or doppler artery. This is a test that can evaluate the erectile function and give results whether the erectile dysfunction caused by a prostate disease. This test is performed by injecting alprostadil into cavernosal bodies in order to ensure an adequate insight into the erectile function and avoid complicated diagnostic treatment.