What is Erectile dysfunction -ED

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION -ED Meaning

Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when men are unable to get and maintain an erection in order to perform sexual intercourse. This is a type of impotence and could be due to psychological reasons.¹

While many men would have some problems in having and maintaining an erection occasionally, if it becomes a regular phenomenon it can start affecting their confidence, cause stress and even create problems in a relationship. Erectile dysfunction may also be risk factor of a heart disease.¹

Ayurveda explains erectile dysfunction as follows - when a man has a strong desire to perform sexual act with a cooperative partner but cannot perform the act due to looseness (absence of erection) of his phallus ( penis). Even if their is determination and desire, yet unability to get an erection resulting in affliction with tiredness, perspiration and frustration to perform sex occurs.

The physiology of a normal erection - as per Ayurveda, is a s follows  -

The ‘apaanavayu’ is one of the five types of vayu - and is located in the testicles, urinary bladder, phallus, umbilicus, thighs, groin, anus and colon. Its functions are ejaculation of semen, voiding of urine and stools.

Shushruta explains the process of erection and ejaculation as “ When a man has desire (iccha) to have sex, his response to touch increases (Vayu located in skin causes flow of signals from skin to brain, thus causing sensation of touch). This causes arousal or ’harsha’ . Arousal or Harsha intensifies actions of vayu and at this moment highly active vayu liberates the ‘teja’ or heat of pitta. Thus tejas and vayu increase body temperature , heart beat and blood flow causing erection.²