Final answer:
Studies referenced by the AHA suggest that erectile dysfunction has a prevalence that increases with age, with 40 percent affected at age 40, and nearly 70 percent by age 70. Factors contributing to ED include health conditions, certain medications, and smoking, which can narrow the penile arteries.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), studies have shown that erectile dysfunction (ED) evaluations are responsible for a significant concern regarding male reproductive health. Erectile dysfunction is a condition wherein a man has difficulty either initiating or maintaining an erection. The combined prevalence of minimal, moderate, and complete ED is approximately 40 percent in males at age 40, increasing to nearly 70 percent by age 70. ED can be linked to various factors including age, diabetes, vascular disease, psychiatric disorders, prostate disorders, the use of certain drugs like antidepressants, and low testosterone concentrations due to issues with the testes. Furthermore, smoking has been identified as a key cause of ED, leading to the narrowing of arteries in the pen_is much like it does in other parts of the body, with the incidence of ED being about 85 percent higher in males who smoke compared to non-smokers.