Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction
Is Erectile Dysfunction the same thing as impotence?
Yes. Impotence is the old-fashioned term. Erectile Dysfunction, in its sole definition, is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.

Nerve pulses in the brain, spinal column, and around the penis, and fibrous tissues, muscles, and veins in and around the corpora cavernosa must all be sequentially correct to allow for an erection. Because an erection involves these specific sequences to occur, Erectile Dysfunction happens when any of those events are interrupted.

Erectile Dysfunction affects 15-30 million men in America. Not only are the men affected, but so are their partners.

If a man occasionally experiences symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction, it does not mean he has Erectile Dysfunction. An occasion problem is normal and is should not be exaggerated. If a man experiences these problems for more than two months, he should consult a specialist.

Is Erectile Dysfunction new?
Because the strong culture of silence among men has been lifted, Erectile Dysfunction can now be discussed. This release has allowed men to realize their potency and success as a man does not rise and fall just because they live with Erectile Dysfunction. Though men now have freedom to talk about Erectile Dysfunction, they may initially feel the shame, embarrassment, inadequacy, and feel as though they have lost something.

As the insurgence of treatments and drugs became widely available, the acceptance and willingness to talk about Erectile Dysfunction became widely welcomed.

Viagra may have single-handedly lifted the code of silence in regards to Erectile Dysfunction with its popular introduction in 1998.

There were only a reported 7.7 doctor visits for every 1,000 men in American in 1985. In 1999, that number almost tripled to a whopping 22.3 doctor visits.

What causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Put simply, anything that causes injury or disrupts blood flow to the penis is a potential cause of Erectile Dysfunction.

Diabetes is a causation of Erectile Dysfunction. This is the case especially if nerve damage was sustained because a man has lived with diabetes for a long period of time.

Cardiovascular disorders can cause Erectile Dysfunction.

Prostate cancer operations can cause Erectile Dysfunction.

Side effects from prescription drugs are a leading cause for Erectile Dysfunction.

Not surprising, age plays its part in the development of Erectile Dysfunction. However, Erectile Dysfunction is not defined as being an undeniable passage into aging. About 5% of men older than 40 experience Erectile Dysfunction. Another 15-25% of men older than 65 live with Erectile Dysfunction.

Multiple sclerosis is one cause of Erectile Dysfunction.

Hormonal disorders can also cause Erectile Dysfunction.

Alcohol and drug abuse cause Erectile Dysfunction.

Emotional problems can also lead to Erectile Dysfunction. Anxiety, depression, fear of not performing, guilt, and low self-esteem are responsible for 20% of the Erectile Dysfunction cases reported.

Who is at risk for Erectile Dysfunction?
Men who abuse their bodies with alcohol and drugs
Men who are anxious, depressed, or stressed
Men who take certain prescriptions
Men who have suffered trauma or surgery damage
Men who have chronic diseases or disorders
Men who are overweight and don’t exercise
Smokers lead the pack (no pun intended) as a cause of Erectile Dysfunction.
What are the warning signs of Erectile Dysfunction?
If a man begins to notice some warning signs such as orgasms taking longer to achieve, less intense orgasms, direct stimulation needed where it wasn’t before, a reduced volume of ejaculate, or longer recovery periods between erections, medical advice should be sought.

How is Erectile Dysfunction diagnosed?
Talk to a specialist. He will ask you questions that involve your medical history, as well as your sexual history. Share your concerns with him honestly. Your answers will direct him to the correct diagnosis.

Your medical provider may want to perform a physical exam to rule out other problems or to reveal systemic problems.

Several tests may be scheduled for proper diagnosis: blood counts, lipid profile, measurements of creatinine, liver enzymes, free testosterone in the blood, and urinalysis.

If necessary, specialized tests like an ultrasonography to test the arterial circulation in the genital organs, neurological evaluation to assess nerve damage, cavernosometry to measure the penile vascular pressure, or a cavernosonography to allow abnormalities in the blood flow to and from the penis to be traced with an injected dye, may be scheduled.

Monitoring erections while a man sleeps is another test, but because it has been proven inconclusive, no warrant is provided here.

Sometimes a medical provider may schedule a psychosocial exam to reveal possible psychological reasons for Erectile Dysfunction.

How can Erectile Dysfunction be treated?
Discuss with your specialist the possibility of your Erectile Dysfunction being caused by a medication you currently take. Certain medications are a big cause of Erectile Dysfunction. In fact, this reason accounts for 20-25% of the Erectile Dysfunction cases.

For others, simple lifestyle changes can reverse their Erectile Dysfunction. Quit smoking. Lose weight. Exercise. Reduce stress. Get enough sleep. Get regular physical examinations.

Therapy and surgery are rare, but recommended when necessary.

Of course, there are drugs. Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. These inhibitors are not recommended for more than one dose a day, and they come with certain side effects.

Furthermore, men who take nitrate-based drugs or alpha-blockers should not take an inhibitor such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis.

Men who have suffered from a stroke or heart attack within the last six months should not take Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis.

Drugs, like Caverject, are directly injected into the penis, but they come with side effects.

Muse, a system for pellet insertion, is fast acting, but causes side effects that involve aching, redness, burning sensation, and bleeding.

Mechanical vacuum devices involve several parts and they must remain intact during sexual activity.

Oral testosterone is another option, but it may cause liver damage and is most often ineffective.

Surgery is an option, but all surgeries come with risks. For Erectile Dysfunction, it’s the younger men who make the best candidates.

Natural supplements. More than 74% of Americans now look for alternative methods for their physical needs. Research what’s available to make the choice that’s right for you.

How is a man supposed to live with Erectile Dysfunction?
Communication is key. Talk to your partner. Learn everything you can about Erectile Dysfunction together. Talk to your doctor. Ask him questions. Some couples find success in counseling. Treatment always proves more successful when there’s teamwork.

Erectile Dysfunction is not a life-long battle. Research happens everyday. You don’t have to lose hope... because there is hope.