Symptoms
Experienced: From puberty (ages 10-14) through the 20’s
there is an increasing frequency of nocturnal penile erections
(NPE). This period is often described as Sexual
Prime. Erections during this stage
are frequent and spontaneous events. They
occur in response to sexual stimuli and also
during Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM
sleep). The frequency of REM sleep erections
peaks at puberty and is related to the peak
in testosterone levels.
Physiology: Testosterone levels and the
ability to maximally dilate blood vessels
are at their peak during the Sexual Prime
stage. Generally men are in excellent
health at this time.
Stage Two: Early Sexual Decline
Approximate Ages: 30-50
Symptoms
Experienced: Many men over the
age of thirty are experiencing a decline in their
sexual function. This change can be very
subtle. There is a significant drop in the total
number of NPE erections related to a drop
in testosterone. The ability to achieve one
erection quickly after the first subsides may
be diminished. Many men who take lifestyle risks (smokers, abusers
of alcohol and/or
other drugs) or who suffer from other medical
conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, or
who have cholesterol or lipid problems), may
start to have increasing difficulty achieving
erections. The underlying problem is most often
an early sign of inadequate blood flow into
the penis. This may be the result of narrowed
arteries and also a reduced ability to dilate
those arteries in response to the nerve signals.
These changes often go unnoticed as they
occur gradually over a long period of time. A
number of men in this group are completely
unable to achieve adequate erections.
What can be done to prevent these changes:
Stop smoking, exercise regularly, maintain a
healthy weight, eat a balanced diet and seek
appropriate medical attention to address health
problems. If these items are not addressed
they can lead to an increased risk for diabetes,
vascular disease and erectile dysfunction.
Stage Two: Increased Sexual Dysfunction
Approximate Ages: 50 Plus
Symptoms
Experienced: More than 50 percent of
men over the age of 40 experience some degree
of sexual dysfunction with the numbers
rising significantly as men age. Common
conditions associated with vascular disease start
to become apparent in these men, including
coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. More men are
being diagnosed with diabetes,
and cholesterol and lipid disorders. If these
conditions are not treated aggressively they
will significantly increase the risk of men
suffering heart attacks, strokes and complications
from peripheral vascular disease. Erectile
dysfunction may be one of these complications
and is commonly the first symptom men go
to the doctor to seek help with. Unfortunately
a substantial number of men with erectile
dysfunction are not currently seeking treatment
or help.
What can be done to prevent these changes:
Stop smoking, achieve and maintain your
ideal body weight, exercise regularly and
seek medical attention for your health
issues. Review all your medications with
your doctor as some may actually worsen
your erectile dysfunction. Additionally
there are safe effective medications that
will help the majority of men overcome
their erectile dysfunction.
Symptoms
Experienced: From puberty (ages 10-14) through the 20’s
there is an increasing frequency of nocturnal penile erections
(NPE). This period is often described as Sexual
Prime. Erections during this stage
are frequent and spontaneous events. They
occur in response to sexual stimuli and also
during Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM
sleep). The frequency of REM sleep erections
peaks at puberty and is related to the peak
in testosterone levels.
Symptoms
Experienced: Many men over the
age of thirty are experiencing a decline in their
sexual function. This change can be very
subtle. There is a significant drop in the total
number of NPE erections related to a drop
in testosterone. The ability to achieve one
erection quickly after the first subsides may
be diminished. Many men who take lifestyle risks (smokers, abusers
of alcohol and/or
other drugs) or who suffer from other medical
conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, or
who have cholesterol or lipid problems), may
start to have increasing difficulty achieving
erections. The underlying problem is most often
an early sign of inadequate blood flow into
the penis. This may be the result of narrowed
arteries and also a reduced ability to dilate
those arteries in response to the nerve signals.
These changes often go unnoticed as they
occur gradually over a long period of time. A
number of men in this group are completely
unable to achieve adequate erections.
Symptoms
Experienced: More than 50 percent of
men over the age of 40 experience some degree
of sexual dysfunction with the numbers
rising significantly as men age. Common
conditions associated with vascular disease start
to become apparent in these men, including
coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. More men are
being diagnosed with diabetes,
and cholesterol and lipid disorders. If these
conditions are not treated aggressively they
will significantly increase the risk of men
suffering heart attacks, strokes and complications
from peripheral vascular disease. Erectile
dysfunction may be one of these complications
and is commonly the first symptom men go
to the doctor to seek help with. Unfortunately
a substantial number of men with erectile
dysfunction are not currently seeking treatment
or help.
