Treating ED in Men of All Ages
April 29, 2025
Erectile dysfunction is commonly seen in middle-aged men, but men of all ages can suddenly experience an episode of sexual dysfunction. Although there is no single protocol for treating ED, most erection problems are curable. Fact is, it all depends on what’s causing an individual’s problems. However ED is rarely permanent, unless you have damaged nerves and restricted blood flow.
While age-related changes can make diagnosing and treating issues related to a man’s sexual performance, it’s not impossible. In fact, addressing issues related to erectile function pretty much follows the same process, so men of all ages can usually continue to enjoy an active sex life. On the other hand, aging can make matters a bit more complex due to reduced testosterone levels and decreased blood flow to the penis.
Common medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain neurological disorders are more likely seen in older patients, but there are many psychological, emotional and physical issues that can affect erectile function in much younger men too. Most younger males can benefit from better managing lifestyle issues, stopping smoking, eating better, and engaging in regular exercise. Whereas they are less likely to suffer from low-T, they more often experience sports-related nerve damage, such as extensive cycling.
Can I have morning wood and ED?
Having erectile dysfunction but still having morning erections, also known as nocturnal penile tumescence, can be a sign that your ED is more psychological or emotional rather than physical. Since morning wood is a normal psychological response in men, this situation suggests your body is capable of achieving an erection, but maybe not under certain conditions. This scenario suggests you may have a non-physical interference in achieving or maintaining an erection that’s suitable for sex. Any man can have an ED episode but, if it continues, its best to consult with a sexual health care professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Common Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Losing an erection during sex can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the physical culprits include heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or smoking. Psychological and emotional causes like relationship problems, poorly managed stress, anxiety and depression can also play a major role in middle-aged men. Listed below are some of the most common causes of erectile issues:
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Additionally, a man’s alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, and certain medications can contribute to ED in men of all ages. Plus, obesity or unintended weight gain can contribute to chronic health conditions and may lead to hormonal imbalances that affect erections. Even some of the medications prescribed to treat potential culprits, like medications for treating high blood pressure, can have erectile dysfunction as a side effect.
What are psychological causes of ED?
It’s important to note that psychological issues can be a temporary issue or a more persistent problem, but either way there are various treatment options available, so its important to schedule a men’s sexual health examination with your doctor or specialist. Nonetheless, being unable to become erect or losing an erection during sex may be due to nerves related to performance anxiety, especially in men with a limited ability to communicate with their partners about their emotional needs and challenges. Although random erections, especially in the morning, are a common phenomenon, combined psychological-physical conditions can lead to hormonal changes that occur in response to quality of sleep (REM), dreams and other physically-related issues. Moreover, excessive alcohol consumption can affect sexual function and certain drugs like cocaine or opioids can have adverse effects too. But, smoking has been proven to damage blood vessels and reduce normal blood flood to the penis, which can contribute to inconsistent erections in men.
Discover Your ED Options at GAINSWave Jacksonville
Erectile dysfunction can occur when there’s not enough blood flow to the penis or when the blood isn’t properly retained during an erection. It may also happen if nerve signals from the brain or spinal cord fail to reach the penis. However, many causes are linked to broader health concerns, such as atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries. For that reason, ED might serve as an early warning sign of potential cardiovascular issues that could lead to heart attacks or strokes.
ED can affect adult men of all ages, but effective treatments are available to address any problems with sexual performance. Choosing the right treatment depends on the man’s personal preferences and his individual circumstances, but discussed below are some of the more promising options that can be combined with any needed lifestyle changes, such as:
- ED Medications – PDE5 Inhibitors, like the “little blue pill” work by increasing blood flow to the penis to create an erection during sexual stimulation. Popular brand-name drugs include sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®, Staxyn®), and avanafil (Stendra®). These drugs inhibit the enzyme PDE5 to relax smooth muscles in the penis.
- Shockwave Therapy – Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) uses sound waves as a non-invasive treatment option to stimulate penile tissue and improve blood flow. The procedure breaks up plague formations in the blood vessels and stimulates growth of new vessels to aid nerve regeneration and erectile function. LiSWT can be used with ED medications as a combined therapy or without.
- Hormone Replacement – Testosterone replacement therapy addresses erectile dysfunction by correcting hormonal imbalances, especially low testosterone levels that commonly happen as men age. Although not all men with low-T have ED, addressing testosterone imbalances can improve function, libido and overall sexual performance, especially for men diagnosed with hypogonadism.
- Erection Devices – Vacuum erection devices, also called penile pumps, work by creating a vacuum to draw blood into the penis that results in an erection. Negative pressure is used to help fill the erectile tissues with blood. The cylinder of the device fits over the penis, the pump is used to create the vacuum, and a ring at the base of penis to retain the erection.
- Penile Implants – A penile implant mimics a natural erection by directing fluid into cylinders implanted in the penis. This includes flexible tubes made of silicone and fabric that is surgically implanted into the erectile chambers. To achieve an erection, the man pumps a fluid, usually salt water, from the reservoir into the cylinders.
For couples managing erectile dysfunction by avoiding intimacy, the emotional toll of disrupted closeness can be significant. So, don’t let avoiding this conversation shouldn’t stand in the way of restoring sexual health and performance. If you’re ready to address your health concerns and would like expert guidance, GAINSWave Jacksonville is here to help.
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With over 40 years of experience and five-medical specialties, Dr. Earl Eye is experienced in helping men manage many organic etiologies like vascular issues, painful Peyronie’s penile curvature, neurogenic problems, side effects from medical treatments and medications as well as endocrinological issues, such as diabetes. Non-invasive treatments using low-intensity shockwave therapy have proven effective in breaking up plaque formation to treat ED. Call us today at (904) 500-5500 to schedule a consultation to restore your sex life.
