Erectile dysfunction affects more than 3 million males in the U.S. every year. If you are one of these males then you may be wondering if erectile dysfunction is curable or if it will be a lifelong medical condition. The answer is not clear cut as it differs from person to person and will heavily depend on the cause of your erectile dysfunction.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

If you find yourself suffering from this condition, you have most likely wondered what caused it. The complex process of sexual arousal involves several different components to be complete, such as hormones, nerves, emotions, the brain, muscles, and blood vessels. When you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, the cause could be related to any one of these or more.

These different causes can be simplified into two groups:

• Physical
• Psychological

While we can break up the causes into these two groups, sometimes a combination of the two can be the cause of erectile dysfunction. It is important to talk with your doctor about any and all concerns you are having, mentally and physically, so the two of you can decide on the best course of treatment.

Physical Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

It is common for erectile dysfunction to have an underlying physical cause, including:

• Heart disease
• Clogged blood vessels
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome
• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Certain prescription medications
• Tobacco use
• Peyronie's disease
• Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
• Sleep disorders
• Prostate issues, such as an enlarged prostate or treatments for prostate cancer
• Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord
• Low testosterone



Psychological Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Your mental health plays a huge role in how your body reacts to certain events and stimulation that would lead to an erection. The same can also be said for the lack of an erection. Certain feelings and disorders can lead to erectile dysfunction, such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Other mental disorders
• Stress
• Relationship problems

Your doctor may suggest that you seek psychological help and evaluation to further help you on your journey to finding a "cure" for your type of erectile dysfunction. It is important to be open and honest with your doctor about any and all feelings, thoughts, and emotions you are experiencing in order to find the right course of treatment for you.

Reversible and Non-reversible Causes of ED

Whether or not your erectile dysfunction is 'curable' will greatly depend on the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction. While some causes of erectile dysfunction are reversible, there are causes of erectile dysfunction that are not reversible and will require further medical treatment in order to control the symptoms. It is important to discuss any and all symptoms with your doctor and your past medical history in order to produce the appropriate line of treatment.

Reversible Causes of ED

Luckily, there are many causes of erectile dysfunction that are reversible, including but may not be limited to:

• Medication side effects
• Recreational drugs
• Nicotine
• Obesity
• Hormone imbalances
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Psychological or emotional disorders
• High cholesterol
• Biking

Choosing which treatment is best for you will depend on the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction. There are several treatments to help with the reversal of erectile dysfunction, such as:

1. Lifestyle Changes: Making adjustments to your lifestyle can greatly influence the reversal of your erectile dysfunction. Depending on your underlying cause, these changes may be minor but necessary to reverse the effects of erectile dysfunction. Different lifestyle changes include:
2. Relaxation Exercises
3. Regular Exercise
4. Losing Weight
5. Diet Changes
6. Pelvic Floor Exercises: The pelvic floor muscles play a major role in helping with urinating and ejaculation. Keeping these muscles strong with exercise can help improve penile function and allow for more natural control.
7. Counseling and/or Couples Therapy:  Counseling can offer assistance in managing different mental health conditions, which can ultimately help eliminate erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can cause or be caused by different emotional and psychological disorders such as:
8. Depression
9. Anxiety
10. Low Self-Esteem
11. Anger
12. Medication: Treating any and all underlying conditions that may be causing your erectile dysfunction can help reverse the symptoms.
13. Medication Changes: If you suspect that your medication may be causing your erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor. Certain medications may actually cause erectile dysfunction, such as:
14. Blood Pressure Medication
15. Anti-Depressants
16. Diuretics
17. Anti-Ulcer Medications

Non-reversible Causes of ED

Unfortunately, there are also a few causes of erectile dysfunction that are not reversible and will require further medical interference to allow for a healthy erection. Different procedures, surgeries, and diseases can ultimately affect the blood flow, sensitivity, and overall health of your penis. These issues include but may not be limited to:

• Problems with nerves
• Chronic kidney disease
• Prostate surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Penile conditions-curvature, cavernous fibrosis, fracture

When it comes to non-reversible erectile dysfunction, it is important to remember that while it may not be reversible, it can still be treated using the following treatment options:

1. Mechanical Devices: Penis pump implants can allow you to manually draw blood into the penis and help produce an erection in the majority of men with erectile dysfunction. The use of a ring at the base of the penis can help hold the blood in the penis to allow for a longer lasting erection.
2. Surgery: If there is an anatomical cause for your erectile dysfunction or if other treatments have shown to be ineffective, your doctor may suggest surgery to repair any damage or implant a device that will allow for immediate erections.
3. Medications: You can also treat the erectile dysfunction with medication that help increase blood flow to the penis to allow for an erection, such as:
4. Sildenafil (Viagra)
5. Avanafil (Stendra)
6. Tadalafil (Cialis)
7. Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
   

Conclusion

Depending on the underlying cause of your erectile dysfunction, it may or may not be reversible. Talking with your doctor and addressing any and all concerns will allow for the most appropriate treatment plan regarding your erectile dysfunction and your overall physical and mental health. Whether it is as simple as changing your diet or as complicated as surgery, there are many treatment options to choose from that can get you back to where you want to be with your sex life.

‍

References:

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355782
2. https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)
3. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/treatment

‍