Happy New Year: Time for Your Annual Checkup
December 30, 2021
There are many reasons why a man can lose the ability to get or keep an erection with or without a loss of sex drive. Simple factors like tiredness, stress level, medications, too many sweets, alcohol consumption, and moodiness are common culprits that can contribute to ED. There are personal factors that also contribute to erectile dysfunction, such as deadlines at work, financial problems, or relationship issues. In addition, problems with erections can be due to medical reasons, including heart disease, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances.
While it is true that erectile dysfunction is more common in older men, about 40% of men over 40 have some degree of ED. Since erections mainly involve the blood vessels, the most common causes of erectile dysfunction are conditions that block or inhibit blood flow to the penis. These include atherosclerosis, diabetes, or hypogonadism. Even if you feel fine, sexual health screenings for men ages 40 to 65 allows you to discuss any of the factors above to avoid problems in the future.
Wellness Screenings for Peak Sexual Performance
Men are notorious for putting off physical checkups that can shed important insight into numerous aspects of their overall health. Fortunately, there is a handful of tests and screenings that can detect serious illnesses early as well as help to explain any sexual performance issues someone is experiencing. So, embrace you annual physical as you might uncover one of the culprits below in a more treatable stage:
- Heart Disease – According to Harvard Health, men are 50% more likely to die of heart disease. Since prevention is key to healthy aging, routine cardio measures for blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels are crucial. Moreover, cardiovascular problems can contribute to several male performance issues.
- High Blood Pressure – A blood pressure reading is a good indicator for health concerns. Untreated hypertension can lead to a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, and other issues related to reduced blood flow.
- High Blood Sugar – If you are older than 45 or have a body mass index above 25, no matter your age, the American Diabetes Association recommends you be screened for Type 2 diabetes. Staying aware of your blood sugar levels and risk of developing diabetes is important to maintaining good sexual health.
- Nerve Damage – Nerve damage can be caused by trauma from sports like bicycling or be the end result of deterioration due to a disease like diabetes. Any disconnect can result in reduced sensations, which can often be treated with therapy and/or medications.
- Clogged Arteries – Erectile dysfunction often occurs when arteries get clogged and are blocked by plaque. When cholesterol builds up on vessel walls, it causes blood flow to slow down. When diagnosed in time, the problem can be treated, and a possible heart attack prevented.
- Low Testosterone – According to the National Institute of Health, erectile dysfunction is one of the earliest signs and markers of endothelial dysfunction and a primary cause of ED can be low testosterone levels due to hypogonadism. Testosterone replacement is both safe and effective.
The wellness screenings you need are based on the results of Q&As and your annual sexual performance exam. This can also pinpoint lifestyle changes and treatment protocols to optimize your sexual health. Post exam, you will know what you are doing well and what you could improve on when it comes to being proactive about your sexual health.
Looking Forward to Serving You in 2022
When it comes to erectile dysfunction, the most common problems men discuss with health care providers at GAINSWave Jacksonville are troubles with ejaculation, getting and keeping an erection, and reduced sexual desire. As mentioned above, there are numerous physical and emotional factors that can contribute to a lack of sexual performance in the bedroom. In fact, ED is now considered to be a systemic medical problem. If you are having trouble getting or sustaining an erection, and other things in your life are relatively stable, it is time to schedule a visit with a doctor that specializes in men’s sexual health. Dr. Earl Eye has devoted his career to men’s health and can recommend the right treatments based on your specific sexual health issues. If your testosterone level is low (Low-T), replacement may be the answer. If pills don’t work for you, non-invasive treatments using low-intensity shockwave therapy have proven effective in breaking up plaque formation to treat mild to moderate cases of ED.
