Erectile Dysfunction
and Ageing
Erectile Dysfunction has become an issue only relatively recently because before the 20th century individuals often did not live beyond the reproductive years.
Today, 50% of men have problems with erections after the age of 40. What is equally staggering is that apart from popping a few Viagra pills, very few men seek proper specialist professional help. Even the ones that do are often not aware of the full range of treatments available.
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Is erectile dysfunction caused by age?
While the risk of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) can increase with age, it's not age that causes ED.
More precisely, it's caused by underlying problems. Certain medical conditions, medications we take as we get older, trauma and outside influences can all contribute to ED.
As you get older, the amount of functioning corporal smooth muscle in the penis decreases. This happens because of the increased level of oxidative stress which is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. ED develops when as little as 15% of the smooth muscle mass within the corporal bodies get affected. These muscles are crucially important for the rigidity of your penile erections because they block the leakage of corporeal venous and this leads to the inability to get and maintain strong erections sufficient for initial and prolonged sexual intercourse.
Healthy cardiovascular function is essential to obtain and keep strong erections and the chances of developing cardiovascular issues also increases significantly as men age.
One cardiovascular issue which is a huge risk factor for ED, is high blood pressure. High blood pressure, known as hypertension, increases the chances of erectile dysfunction (ED), especially in older men.
When men have good endothelial function (the health of blood vessels), their ability to achieve and maintain erections is better. However, high blood pressure harms this important endothelial function. Hypertension and ED are closely linked because elevated blood pressure leads to problems with blood vessel health in men, which is a major cause of ED.
The Role of Nitric Oxid in Overcoming ED
Endothelial dysfunction reduces the level of nitric oxide, which plays a prominent role in facilitating strong erections. Penile endothelium generates nitric oxide, and damage to penile endothelium restricts the production of nitric oxide. A well-functioning endothelium ensures proper blood flow to the erectile tissues of the penis during sexual arousal, leading to the ability to achieve and maintain erections.
Insufficient nitric oxide is also responsible for increased insulin resistance, which also negatively affects the erectile function. Moreover, endothelial dysfunction produces superoxide anions in the corpus cavernosum, contributing to the reduction of vasodilation dependent on the endothelium.
Also, as men get older, the presence of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) gets generated in their bodies, which can cause an inflammation within the endothelium. Ultimately, this results in atherosclerosis, (your arteries narrow), further reducing the flow of the blood within the penile tissues. Individually, or in combinations, all these mechanisms are proven risk factors for ED in men, especially in older men.
Testosterone and
Erectile Dysfunction
The presence of atherosclerosis can decrease testosterone hormone levels in men. The testosterone hormone is also affected by the severity of atherosclerosis.
Insufficient levels of testosterone decrease the sexual urge, can cause depression over a period of time and reduces the ability to focus properly. This hormone is extremely important for the general sexual health of men, and older males are more likely to have low testosterone hormone levels than younger males due to atherosclerosis and other conditions. Low testosterone can ultimately lead to ED.
Older men are also more vulnerable to develop diabetes, which can narrow the blood pathway over time and damage the blood vessels. Diabetes is also one of the major causes of ED.
What to Do About ED as You Get Older
Although ED's frequency does increase with age, it's treatable regardless of your age and isn't as inevitable as you might think. There are ways of getting more blood to flow into the corpora cavernosa which will help you get better erections.
Many factors play a role in improving ED - Your overall health and condition can be improved by following a healthy lifestyle.
It's best to avoid foods that are bad for your cardiovascular condition.
Consumption of excessive sugar or soft drinks which may lead to diabetes also needs to be reduced and, if you are diabetic, you should take the appropriate steps to manage it.
Smoking or drinking alcohol excessively can severely hamper your ability to get strong erections due to their effect on the blood pathways.
Regular physical exercises can be helpful, because, if you exercise regularly, blood circulation inside your body and your penis will improve.
One of the most common medical causes of erectile dysfunction is the inability of our body to produce enough blood flow to fill the penis. As we get older, we have less blood in our system and as a result there is less blood for our hearts to pump into our penis when needed. The average man needs 20 times as much blood to surge into the penis in order to get an erection.
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Advanced medical technology treatments
This is where focused shockwave therapy comes into its own. Shockwave therapy is a medically proven treatment that uses special soundwaves to stimulate the growth of totally new blood vessels and repair existing damaged blood vessels in the penis. This allows your body to generate an increased blood flow, filling out more blood vessels, leading you to enjoy better, harder spontaneous and longer lasting erections and more satisfying sexual intercourse for you and your partner.
Our Extracorporeal MagnetoTransduction Therapy (EMTT) is also extremely effective in treating ED. In our standard protocol we also combine shockwave therapy with EMTT to optimise the success rate of our patients treatment. EMTT is non-invasive and has no side-effects. With EMTT, we send a strong magnetic field into the endothelial cells of penile tissues. It enhances the functionality of the endothelial cells and in turn increases the production of Nitric Oxide. A further technology, the NanoVi, reduces oxidative stress. For older men, we combine all three technologies in a standard protocol.
If you are an older gentleman suffering from ED, then it's not the end of the world. Don't despair. We have treated men in their eighties and late nineties with success. We have yet to treat a centenarian, but fully expect to do so at some stage.
Erectile Dysfunction and Ageing FAQs
Is ED An Age-Related Issue?
ED is usually more prevalent in older men. As men age, the possibility of them developing and experiencing ED increases. That’s why 50% of men aged 40 plus around the world suffer from ED. But age alone doesn’t cause this sexual issue and we treat some men in their teens as well as men in their nineties.
What Factors Lead to ED In Older Men?
As men age the immune system usually starts to become less effective. That’s why they become more vulnerable to various diseases such as cardiovascular issues, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. These issues can damage the blood vessels and hamper the blood flow within penile tissues, which ultimately leads to ED.
What Are the Chances I Will Experience ED As I Get Older?
Erectile dysfunction is not inevitable. As you get older, the chances of you suffering from ED increase, especially if you fail to manage your general health effectively - But there is no certainty that you will have erectile problems as you age.
How Can I Prevent ED From Developing as I Age?
You need to manage your cardiovascular and general health effectively. If you eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly and avoid sugar, alcohol, and smoking then you have a high chance of having better erectile and cardiovascular health when you get older.
Is ED Common in Older Men?
ED is more common in older men than any other age group, although nowadays the number of young ED patients is increasing.
Is ED Treatable in Older Men?
In many cases ED is treatable. But taking a few blue pills like Viagra is not the solution as this does not treat the underlying causes of their ED. But if the underlying causes can be treated then long-term solutions for ED is possible for many men.
How Do You Treat ED In Older Men?
In older men we treat this issue with the help of our non-invasive treatments such as focused shockwave therapy and Extracorporeal MagnetoTransduction Therapy (EMTT), NanoVi Exo and the famous Tesla chair. With a thorough evaluation we try to identify the reason behind the development of ED and then provide treatments accordingly.
Are Your Non-Invasive Treatments Effective In Treating ED In Older Men?
Our focused shockwave therapy and EMTT therapy are highly effective in promoting the growth of new blood vessels, endothelial cells and in breaking up the fibrous plaques. These mechanisms enhance the blood flow inside the penile tissues. All these things are true for older men as well. We have effectively treated numerous ED patients in their 40’s to 90’s, with these therapies.
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