Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has trouble getting or keeping
an erection. ED becomes more common as you get older. But male sexual
dysfunction is not a natural part of aging.
Some people have trouble speaking with their doctors about sex. But if you have ED, you should tell your doctor. ED can be a sign of health problems. It may mean your blood vessels are clogged. It may mean you have nerve damage from diabetes. If you don't see your doctor, these problems will go untreated.
Your doctor can offer several new treatments for ED. For many men, the answer is as simple as taking a pill. Getting more exercise, losing weight or stopping smoking may also help.
Some people have trouble speaking with their doctors about sex. But if you have ED, you should tell your doctor. ED can be a sign of health problems. It may mean your blood vessels are clogged. It may mean you have nerve damage from diabetes. If you don't see your doctor, these problems will go untreated.
Your doctor can offer several new treatments for ED. For many men, the answer is as simple as taking a pill. Getting more exercise, losing weight or stopping smoking may also help.
Introduction
Impotence is a common condition. A man who is impotent is persistently
unable to achieve or maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual
intercourse. About 30 million men in the U.S. have erectile dysfunction
or ED. Erectile dysfunction is the medical term for impotence.
Most men experience erectile dysfunction during their sexual life. Professional help is needed when erectile dysfunction becomes a persistent problem.
This program will explain the causes and treatment options for erectile dysfunction. It also discusses the ED oral medications Viagra®, Levitra®, and Cialis®.
Most men experience erectile dysfunction during their sexual life. Professional help is needed when erectile dysfunction becomes a persistent problem.
This program will explain the causes and treatment options for erectile dysfunction. It also discusses the ED oral medications Viagra®, Levitra®, and Cialis®.
Anatomy
The urethra is the tube through which urine and semen exit the body. It
does not play a role in forming or maintaining an erection.
When the penis is flaccid (or not erect), the corpora cavernosa are not filled with blood.
Sexual stimulation, both physical and mental, causes the brain, nerves, blood vessels, and hormones to send orders to relax the muscles around the corpora cavernosa.
As the muscles around the corpora cavernosa relax, the corpora cavernosa fill up with blood. When the corpora cavernosa trap the blood, they expand and the penis becomes firm and elongated. This results in an erection.
After orgasm, the blood empties from the corpora cavernosa through the veins of the penis. The penis becomes soft or flaccid.
Testosterone is a sex hormone secreted by the testicles, and is important in regulating the frequency and magnitude of a penile erection.
The younger the patient, the easier it is to achieve and keep an erection. Erectile dysfunction is more common among older men. However, erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable consequence of aging.
About 1 in 4 men above the age of 65 are affected by erectile dysfunction.
When the penis is flaccid (or not erect), the corpora cavernosa are not filled with blood.
Sexual stimulation, both physical and mental, causes the brain, nerves, blood vessels, and hormones to send orders to relax the muscles around the corpora cavernosa.
As the muscles around the corpora cavernosa relax, the corpora cavernosa fill up with blood. When the corpora cavernosa trap the blood, they expand and the penis becomes firm and elongated. This results in an erection.
After orgasm, the blood empties from the corpora cavernosa through the veins of the penis. The penis becomes soft or flaccid.
Testosterone is a sex hormone secreted by the testicles, and is important in regulating the frequency and magnitude of a penile erection.
The younger the patient, the easier it is to achieve and keep an erection. Erectile dysfunction is more common among older men. However, erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable consequence of aging.
About 1 in 4 men above the age of 65 are affected by erectile dysfunction.
Symptoms And Their Causes
A man who has erectile dysfunction is persistently unable to achieve or
maintain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse.
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by many disorders. It can be caused by medications, psychological factors, or physical factors.
Medications are a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. Some medications taken for depression or high blood. pressure could cause erectile dysfunction
Some causes of erectile dysfunction are psychological. A man’s failure to achieve an erection could have originated from his abuse of alcohol, cigarettes, or recreational drugs. If the man continues to fear not being able to have an erection, he may develop persistent psychological impotence.
Stress and other psychological factors can cause erectile dysfunction. When erectile dysfunction is caused by psychological factors, the male can achieve spontaneous erections when sleeping or early in the morning before going to the bathroom but cannot achieve an erection when making love.
Marital or job stress, alcohol or drug abuse, performance anxiety, financial problems, and other factors can all play a role in starting, maintaining, or worsening erectile dysfunction.
Physical impotence is caused by a disease, injury, or operation.
Examples of diseases that can cause impotence are:
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by many disorders. It can be caused by medications, psychological factors, or physical factors.
Medications are a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. Some medications taken for depression or high blood. pressure could cause erectile dysfunction
Some causes of erectile dysfunction are psychological. A man’s failure to achieve an erection could have originated from his abuse of alcohol, cigarettes, or recreational drugs. If the man continues to fear not being able to have an erection, he may develop persistent psychological impotence.
Stress and other psychological factors can cause erectile dysfunction. When erectile dysfunction is caused by psychological factors, the male can achieve spontaneous erections when sleeping or early in the morning before going to the bathroom but cannot achieve an erection when making love.
Marital or job stress, alcohol or drug abuse, performance anxiety, financial problems, and other factors can all play a role in starting, maintaining, or worsening erectile dysfunction.
Physical impotence is caused by a disease, injury, or operation.
Examples of diseases that can cause impotence are:
- diabetes,
- high blood pressure
- cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels,
- nephritis,
- and liver disease.
Examples of injuries that can cause erectile dysfunction are injuries to the:
- penis,
- pelvis,
- spinal cord,
- and brain.
Examples of surgeries and treatments that can cause erectile dysfunction are:
- operations in the pelvis,
- surgical removal of the prostate gland, bladder or rectum due to cancer,
- radiation therapy to the pelvis.
Hormones are substances produced by the body to control body functions. The lack or excess of hormones could also cause erectile dysfunction.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will evaluate your condition in order to determine the
specific cause of erectile dysfunction. He or she will prescribe the
best treatment for you.
The evaluation usually includes a medical history, a detailed sexual history, a physical examination, and other basic tests. The doctor tries first to determine if the causes are psychological or physical.
If no erection can be achieved during sexual activity, special devices can be fixed on the base of the penis at bedtime to monitor whether an erection has occurred during sleep. If the test shows that an erection has occurred, there is a good chance that the erectile dysfunction could be caused by psychological factors.
The evaluation usually includes a medical history, a detailed sexual history, a physical examination, and other basic tests. The doctor tries first to determine if the causes are psychological or physical.
If no erection can be achieved during sexual activity, special devices can be fixed on the base of the penis at bedtime to monitor whether an erection has occurred during sleep. If the test shows that an erection has occurred, there is a good chance that the erectile dysfunction could be caused by psychological factors.
Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction
The treatment of erectile dysfunction depends on the cause or causes.
For instance, if the erectile dysfunction is caused by medications you
are taking, changing some of the medications or their dosages may help.
If erectile dysfunction is caused by severe clinical depression, antidepressant drugs may be the first course of treatment. In very rare cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by lack of hormones. Hormone replacement therapy could help in these cases. The use of pills or injections usually will restore normal erections in such rare cases of hormone-related impotence.
If erectile dysfunction is caused by psychological reasons, counseling or sex therapy may be recommended.
There are several other treatment options that your doctor can recommend. These include oral medications such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. Other treatment options include urethral suppositories, injections in the penis, vacuum devices, and surgery.
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are oral medication cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for treating erectile dysfunction. The usage of these drugs is explained in the next section.
In one medical treatment option, the patient pushes a urethral suppository into the urethra with a special applicator. The medication dissolves in the urethra and is absorbed into the penis. After about 5 minutes, an erection is achieved. This treatment helps some men achieve an erection.
Another treatment option for erectile dysfunction is the use of a vacuum pump and a tension ring.
A plastic tube is placed over the penis and the patient uses the pump to draw blood into the penis by removing air from the cylinder. In most patients, an erection is produced in one to two minutes.
A rubber constriction ring is then placed at the base of the penis to keep the blood in the penis and maintain the erection. The vacuum tube is then removed.
The ring should be taken off within 30 minutes or in case of pain, severe discoloration, or cooling of the penis. Leaving the ring in place longer than 30 minutes could cause damage to the penis.
Another treatment option for erectile dysfunction is injections of special medications by the patient himself directly in the penis. This may help achieve an erection.
Through a small needle, a special medication that allows the blood to be trapped in the corpora cavernosa may be injected directly in the penis five to fifteen minutes before intercourse. This usually gives an erection that can last up to one hour. The injection is given with a very thin needle. If you and your doctor choose this option, you will be taught how to administer the injections yourself.
If none of the previous treatments are helpful or practical, surgery may be recommended. The most common surgical alternative to help erectile dysfunction is to place an implant inside the penis to help achieve an erection. In rare cases, vascular surgery is recommended if the blood vessels of the penis are causing the erectile dysfunction.
There are several types of implants to choose from. These implants differ in the manner they are operated, how natural the erection feels, the number of components implanted, and the possibility of mechanical malfunction. The following is a brief description of some implants.
A malleable implant consists of two rods that are inserted into the corpora cavernosa of the penis. The rods may either be positioned up for intercourse or down for everyday activities. This is a simple implant and is easy to use. It has few parts and is durable. However, the patient will always have a rigid penis.
Another type of implant consists of self-contained inflatable cylinders. To produce an erection, the patient pumps the top of the cylinders to force fluid into the cylinders making the penis stiffer. To make the penis soft again, the patient simply bends the penis. This is a simple implant and is easy to use.
Another type of implant is more complex mechanically. However, it allows the implant to be pumped into a more solid erection. It can then be deflated. Prior to intercourse, the patient inflates the device by squeezing the pump. The pump can be placed in the scrotum. This implant is slightly more complex to place and operate.
If erectile dysfunction is caused by severe clinical depression, antidepressant drugs may be the first course of treatment. In very rare cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by lack of hormones. Hormone replacement therapy could help in these cases. The use of pills or injections usually will restore normal erections in such rare cases of hormone-related impotence.
If erectile dysfunction is caused by psychological reasons, counseling or sex therapy may be recommended.
There are several other treatment options that your doctor can recommend. These include oral medications such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. Other treatment options include urethral suppositories, injections in the penis, vacuum devices, and surgery.
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are oral medication cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for treating erectile dysfunction. The usage of these drugs is explained in the next section.
In one medical treatment option, the patient pushes a urethral suppository into the urethra with a special applicator. The medication dissolves in the urethra and is absorbed into the penis. After about 5 minutes, an erection is achieved. This treatment helps some men achieve an erection.
Another treatment option for erectile dysfunction is the use of a vacuum pump and a tension ring.
A plastic tube is placed over the penis and the patient uses the pump to draw blood into the penis by removing air from the cylinder. In most patients, an erection is produced in one to two minutes.
A rubber constriction ring is then placed at the base of the penis to keep the blood in the penis and maintain the erection. The vacuum tube is then removed.
The ring should be taken off within 30 minutes or in case of pain, severe discoloration, or cooling of the penis. Leaving the ring in place longer than 30 minutes could cause damage to the penis.
Another treatment option for erectile dysfunction is injections of special medications by the patient himself directly in the penis. This may help achieve an erection.
Through a small needle, a special medication that allows the blood to be trapped in the corpora cavernosa may be injected directly in the penis five to fifteen minutes before intercourse. This usually gives an erection that can last up to one hour. The injection is given with a very thin needle. If you and your doctor choose this option, you will be taught how to administer the injections yourself.
If none of the previous treatments are helpful or practical, surgery may be recommended. The most common surgical alternative to help erectile dysfunction is to place an implant inside the penis to help achieve an erection. In rare cases, vascular surgery is recommended if the blood vessels of the penis are causing the erectile dysfunction.
There are several types of implants to choose from. These implants differ in the manner they are operated, how natural the erection feels, the number of components implanted, and the possibility of mechanical malfunction. The following is a brief description of some implants.
A malleable implant consists of two rods that are inserted into the corpora cavernosa of the penis. The rods may either be positioned up for intercourse or down for everyday activities. This is a simple implant and is easy to use. It has few parts and is durable. However, the patient will always have a rigid penis.
Another type of implant consists of self-contained inflatable cylinders. To produce an erection, the patient pumps the top of the cylinders to force fluid into the cylinders making the penis stiffer. To make the penis soft again, the patient simply bends the penis. This is a simple implant and is easy to use.
Another type of implant is more complex mechanically. However, it allows the implant to be pumped into a more solid erection. It can then be deflated. Prior to intercourse, the patient inflates the device by squeezing the pump. The pump can be placed in the scrotum. This implant is slightly more complex to place and operate.
Viagra, Levitra, & Cialis
A man achieves an erection when the muscles of the penis relax, allowing
blood to flow and pool in the corpora cavernosa of the penis.
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are medications that work by relaxing the smooth muscles of the penis allowing the corpora cavernosa to fill with blood.
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis vary in how they are taken, when they begin to work and how long their effect last. There are also differences in their side effects, which are explained in the next section. Your doctor will tell you when to take your ED medication and how long to expect it to work.
Remember that for all of these 3 medications to work, sexual stimulation is necessary. These medications do not cause an erection if there is no sexual stimulation. The sexual stimulation can be physical or mental.
Most patients are satisfied with the improved quality of the erection and with the ability to maintain the erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. These medications do not increase the libido (sex drive) and do not affect the orgasm.
History Viagra was approved in 1998. Levitra and Cialis were approved in 2003. The longer a medicine has been in use, the more we know about its side effects. In general, all 3 medications are effective in a majority of patients. The rate of improvement also depends on the cause of the erectile dysfunction.
Dosage All 3 medications are available in different dosages. Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage level for the medication to work or to decrease the side effects.
Viagra is better taken without food on an empty stomach. Levitra and Cialis can be taken with or without food.
When They Begin Working Viagra works 30 to 60 minutes after it is taken. So does Levitra. Cialis works 30 minutes after the pill is taken.
How Long They Last Viagra lasts up to 4 hours. Levitra lasts four hours too. Cialis on the other hand can last from 24 to 36 hours, which is why it is called “Le weekender”.
When we say “an erection may occur up to 4 hours after taking the oral ED medication”, it does NOT mean that the erection will last for 4 hours! It means it can occur any time within 4 hours of taking the pill.
Side Effects
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are medications that work by relaxing the smooth muscles of the penis allowing the corpora cavernosa to fill with blood.
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis vary in how they are taken, when they begin to work and how long their effect last. There are also differences in their side effects, which are explained in the next section. Your doctor will tell you when to take your ED medication and how long to expect it to work.
Remember that for all of these 3 medications to work, sexual stimulation is necessary. These medications do not cause an erection if there is no sexual stimulation. The sexual stimulation can be physical or mental.
Most patients are satisfied with the improved quality of the erection and with the ability to maintain the erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse. These medications do not increase the libido (sex drive) and do not affect the orgasm.
History Viagra was approved in 1998. Levitra and Cialis were approved in 2003. The longer a medicine has been in use, the more we know about its side effects. In general, all 3 medications are effective in a majority of patients. The rate of improvement also depends on the cause of the erectile dysfunction.
Dosage All 3 medications are available in different dosages. Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage level for the medication to work or to decrease the side effects.
Viagra is better taken without food on an empty stomach. Levitra and Cialis can be taken with or without food.
When They Begin Working Viagra works 30 to 60 minutes after it is taken. So does Levitra. Cialis works 30 minutes after the pill is taken.
How Long They Last Viagra lasts up to 4 hours. Levitra lasts four hours too. Cialis on the other hand can last from 24 to 36 hours, which is why it is called “Le weekender”.
When we say “an erection may occur up to 4 hours after taking the oral ED medication”, it does NOT mean that the erection will last for 4 hours! It means it can occur any time within 4 hours of taking the pill.
Side Effects
- All 3 medications may produce headache and indigestion.
- Viagra and Levitra can also produce flush, stuffy nose and upset stomach.
- Viagra may produce diarrhea and a blue-tinge vision.
- Levitra may produce dizziness.
Your doctor will discuss with you the dosage of these medications as well as their side effects and risks.
Contraindications
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis may be very dangerous when taking with other
medications. Your physician will tell you what medications you can and
cannot take with these medications.
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis should not be taken with nitrate medications. They may increase the effectiveness of nitrates. Nitrates are medications used to decrease the blood pressure in patients with hypertension and heart disease such as angina.
The use of these medications with nitrates can cause a lower than expected blood pressure. This extra lowering of blood pressure could potentially be fatal and therefore contraindicates the use of Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. The patient and his physician should look for another treatment option for erectile dysfunction in patients taking nitrates.
This is one of the major reasons that you should inform all of your doctors about the use of ED medications prior to starting any new drugs.
Patients who share their prescribed ED pills with their friends may endanger the lives of their friends who may be taking medications that are not compatible with the pill they are given.
The dosage of your ED medication may need to be adjusted when taken with other medications. Make sure to tell all of your doctors and pharmacists about all the medications you use.
If you have had a heart attack, a stroke, a serious abnormal heart beat in the last six months; do not take Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis. Check with your doctor.
Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure or abnormally low blood pressure should not take these medications
If you have any side effect, you should let your doctor know. He or she may want to adjust your dosage.
There are also very rare but possible side effects. These include permanent vision loss, sudden hearing loss and a long lasting painful erection also known as priapism. The following pages discuss these rare but serious complications in greater detail.
Vision loss. A condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has occurred in patients who have taken these medications. It is not known whether the medications caused the problem or they just happened to occur coincidentally.
Because of this potentially devastating rare complication, patients with a retinal disorder, such as diabetic retinopathy, should see an eye doctor before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction.
Sudden hearing loss. Hearing loss has been reported after taking Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. Like the vision loss, doctors are not sure that the medications caused it. Be it as it may, you should stop taking the medication and check with your doctor if you have sudden loss of hearing.
Priapism is a rare condition that can be painful and requires medical treatment to avoid damage to your penis. If you have an erection that lasts more than four hours, see your doctor.
It is also very important to remember that Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis do NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS.
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis do NOT prevent conception or pregnancy.
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis should not be taken with nitrate medications. They may increase the effectiveness of nitrates. Nitrates are medications used to decrease the blood pressure in patients with hypertension and heart disease such as angina.
The use of these medications with nitrates can cause a lower than expected blood pressure. This extra lowering of blood pressure could potentially be fatal and therefore contraindicates the use of Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. The patient and his physician should look for another treatment option for erectile dysfunction in patients taking nitrates.
This is one of the major reasons that you should inform all of your doctors about the use of ED medications prior to starting any new drugs.
Patients who share their prescribed ED pills with their friends may endanger the lives of their friends who may be taking medications that are not compatible with the pill they are given.
The dosage of your ED medication may need to be adjusted when taken with other medications. Make sure to tell all of your doctors and pharmacists about all the medications you use.
If you have had a heart attack, a stroke, a serious abnormal heart beat in the last six months; do not take Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis. Check with your doctor.
Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure or abnormally low blood pressure should not take these medications
If you have any side effect, you should let your doctor know. He or she may want to adjust your dosage.
There are also very rare but possible side effects. These include permanent vision loss, sudden hearing loss and a long lasting painful erection also known as priapism. The following pages discuss these rare but serious complications in greater detail.
Vision loss. A condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has occurred in patients who have taken these medications. It is not known whether the medications caused the problem or they just happened to occur coincidentally.
Because of this potentially devastating rare complication, patients with a retinal disorder, such as diabetic retinopathy, should see an eye doctor before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction.
Sudden hearing loss. Hearing loss has been reported after taking Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. Like the vision loss, doctors are not sure that the medications caused it. Be it as it may, you should stop taking the medication and check with your doctor if you have sudden loss of hearing.
Priapism is a rare condition that can be painful and requires medical treatment to avoid damage to your penis. If you have an erection that lasts more than four hours, see your doctor.
It is also very important to remember that Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis do NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS.
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis do NOT prevent conception or pregnancy.
Summary
Erectile dysfunction is a common condition. Thanks to recent advances in
medicine and pharmacology, there are many ways to treat it. Many men
experience improvement in erectile function after taking Viagra,
Levitra, or Cialis. Check with your doctor if Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis
are acceptable for you. He or she will tell you what medications you
can and cannot take with your prescription.
Knowing about your ED treatment options, the benefits, and the risks and complications associated with these options will help you make a more informed choice.
Knowing about your ED treatment options, the benefits, and the risks and complications associated with these options will help you make a more informed choice.
11 comments:
The different types of ED medications will produce results for a certain period of time. The side effects will vary, as well. It’s imperative to acquaint yourself with those before beginning a treatment program.
The brain – or mind, if you will – has a crucial role as the trigger of the series of physical events leading to an erection, starting with the stimulus for sexual excitement.
But when the brain encounters things that interfere with its ability to trigger said events, then the desired full erection will likely not happen.
There are scores of products on the male enhancement market making claims about being able to increase the size of the penis, contributing to harder and firmer erections, and also to improve sexual performance in bed.
Improving sexual performance shouldn’t be expensive. There are still natural ways that can help improve your intimate moments.
The very first thing towards sexual improvement is to accept yourself, that you will never be perfect. It’s accepting the things that you cannot change.
Safe methods and treatments are just on hand; make sure that you only choose the best and effective method.
Penis enlargement and male enhancement comes in many forms. Overall, those seeking out improvements in sexual performance are seeking products capable of improving erections in terms of both firmness and size. A number of penis enlargement pills on the market make claims – and a few outrageous ones – about delivering on all the consumer’s expectations.
Nice post
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Growth hormone can be used to overcome problems like the loss of libido that often stems from aging in both men and women.
While testosterone supplements are particularly beneficial for guys who want to rejuvenate their sex drive, HGH supplementation will be equally beneficial for both genders.
Maca’s reputation as a male enhancement ingredient is well-deserved. There are two main areas in which Maca can help men’s sexual performance: sperm production and sex drive.
Studies show that Maca can increase semen volume, but this won’t occur overnight. The studies indicate taking Maca for four months yielded an increase in semen volume and sperm count.
Testosterone boosters are products based on natural ingredients. They do not contain synthetic hormones, which is why they don’t lead to the side effects typical for HRT. The manner in which such supplements work is very simple, yet efficient.
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