Erectile Dysfunction - understanding it and what can be done

Once called 'impotence', ED is more common in men older then 65 but can occur at any age. It's normal for most men to experience an occasional episode of erectile dysfunction such as:

• erections may take longer to develop.
• erection may not be as rigid.
• more stimulation may be required to achieve erection.
• orgasms may be less intense.
• ejaculation may not be as much as before.
• recovery time may increases between erections.

Once a taboo subject, ED was not something that any man wanted to admit to or talk about. However today more men along with their partners are seeking help and doctors are gaining a better understanding of what causes it and are discovering better ways to treat it.

Male Sexual Anatomy

Sign of Erectile Dysfunction

• difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection - at least once in every four times of attempting sexual intercourse, or lasting for more than two months.
• achieving an erection takes much longer than usual or becomes difficult in certain positions.
• erection is not as firm and feels weaker.
• achieving or maintaining an erection becoming more of a conscious effort, which in turn can make achieving an erection mentally more difficult.
• erection in the morning is not as firm and/or less frequent.
• ejaculating more quickly or with an incomplete erection.
• complete inability to achieve and erection.

Causes

There are two cylindrical, sponge like structures that run along the length of the penis, parallel to the tube that carries semen and urine (urethra).

When a man becomes sexually aroused, nerve impulses cause the blood flow to these cylinders to increase about seven times the normal amount. This sudden rush of blood expands the sponge-like structures and produces an erection which straightening and stiffening the penis. Continued excitement or sexual arousal helps maintain a high rate of blood flow, keeping the erection nice and firm. After ejaculation, or the passing of the sexual arousal, the excess blood drains out of the spongy tissue, and the penis returns to its non-aroused size and shape.

There are specific actions that take place to produce and maintain an erection:

• arousal - sexual arousal is the first step, which men obtain from their sense of sight, touch, hearing, smell, and thought.
• nervous system response - the brain communicates sexual excitation to the nervous system, which increases blood flow to the penis.
• blood vessel response - the blood vessels that supply the penis become relaxed, allowing blood to flow in the shafts that produce the erection.

If anything affects anyone of these factors or the delicate balance between them, erectile dysfunction may occur.

Non-physical Causes

• psychological problems are the most common non-physical causes of ED and they include:


• stess
• anxiety
• fatigue
• depression
• negative feelings that you express toward your sexual partner or that are expressed by your partner toward you such as hostility, resentment or lack of interest.

Physical Causes

• nerve damage from longstanding diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
• certain prescriptions
• cardiovascular disorders that affect the blood supply to the pelvis
• Multiple sclerosis
• spinal cord fractures
• operations for cancer of the prostate
• hormonal disorders
• different kinds of drug abuse
• surgery or trauma to the pelvic area
• prolonged bicycle riding can also cause a temporary problem
• psychological condition

Erectile dysfunction may be one of the first signs of an underlying medical problem.

The physical and non-physical causes of erectile dysfunction quite often interact. For instance, a minor physical problem that slows sexual response may cause anxiety about achieving an erection and this in turn can worsen erectile dysfunction.

Seeking medical advice

It's normal for most all men to experience some sort of erectile dysfunction on occasion. But if it lasts more than two months or is a recurring problem, you should see your doctor for a physical exam or a referral to a doctor who specializes in erectile problems. Your own doctor or a specialist should be able to help you determine the underlying cause or causes of and help you find the right treatment.

Although you might view erectile dysfunction as a personal or embarrassing problem, it's important to seek treatment. In many cases, it can be successfully treated. Also, see your doctor if the therapy or medication prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction isn't working for you. Don't try to combine medications or therapies on your own or deviate from prescribed doses.

Screening and Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask questions about how and when your condition occurred, what medications you take and what if any other physical conditions you may have.

Be honest, that's the only way your doctor can truly help you. Your doctor will also want to discuss recent physical or emotional changes in your life. Remember, be honest, you are not the first person with whatever problem you are experiencing.

If your doctor thinks that physical causes are involved, blood tests will likely be taken to check your level of male hormones and other potential medical problems, such as diabetes. Your doctor may also want to try eliminating or replacing certain prescription drugs one at a time to see if they are the cause of your erectile dysfunction.

Treatment

There's a wide variety of options for treating erectile dysfunction. Everything from simple mechanical devices and medications to psychological counseling and surgery. The cause and severity of the condition is a very important factor in determining the best treatment or combination of treatments.

Oral Treatments

• sildenafil (Viagra)
• tadalafil (Cialis)
• vardenafil (Levitra)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra in 1998, making it the first oral medication for erectile dysfunction on the market. Since then, Levitra and Cialis have been approved, providing more options for oral therapy.

These drugs work in much the same way. Chemically known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors, these drugs enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical messenger that relaxes smooth muscles in the penis. Which increases the amount of blood and allows a natural sequence to occur — an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

These medications don't automatically produce an erection - they however allow an erection to occur after physical and psychological stimulation.

Many men experience improvement in erectile function after taking these medications regardless of the cause of their impotence.

Although these medications share many similarities, they have many differences as well, such as the vary in dosage, duration of effectiveness and possible side effects. Talk with your doctor to find out which, if any is best for you.

Not all men should take them

Although these medications do help many men, not all men can or should take them. Don't take these medications if:

• you've had a heart attack, stroke or life-threatening heart rhythm during the last six months.
• if you've been told that sexual activity could trigger a cardiac event, discuss other options with your doctor.
• don't take Viagra, Levitra or Cialis with nitrate medications, such as the heart drugs nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, others), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur) and isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil). The combination of these medications, which work to widen (dilate) blood vessels, can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, and circulation and heart problems.

Dosages may need adjusting or you may need to be altered when you take the medication so don't expect them to fix your ED right away. And before taking any medication, make sure to discuss with your doctor its potential benefits and side effects.

Hormone replacement therapy

For men who have testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy may be an option.

Vacuum devices

This treatment involves the use of an external vacuum and one or more rubber bands (tension rings). You begin by placing a hollow plastic tube over your penis. You then use a hand pump to create a vacuum in the tube which pulls blood into the penis. Once you achieve an adequate erection, slip a tension ring around the base of your penis to maintain the erection. Then remove the vacuum device. The erection typically lasts long enough for a couple to have adequate sexual relations. Remove the tension ring after intercourse.

Psychological Counseling

Your doctor may suggest that you, or you and your partner, visit a psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in treating sexual problems if stress, anxiety or depression is the cause of your erectile dysfunction.

Penile implants

This expensive treatment involves surgically placing a device into the two sides of the penis, allowing erection to occur as often and for as long as desired. These implants consist of either an inflatable device or semi-rigid rods made from silicone or polyurethane. This treatment is often the last resort after other methods have been tried first. As with any surgery, there is a small risk of complications such as infection. Check out this video on penile implants

Prevention

Although most men may experience episodes of erectile dysfunction from time to time, these steps can decrease the likelihood of occurrences:

• limit or avoid the use of alcohol and other drugs.
• stop smoking or don't start.
• be sure to exercise regularly.
• try to reduce stress.
• get plenty of sleep,
• deal with anxiety or depression.
• visit your doctor for regular checkups.

Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of an emotional or physical problem that requires treatment.

Whether the cause is physical factors or psychological factors or a combination of both, erectile dysfunction can interfere with a man's self-image and become a source of mental and emotional stress for a man — and his partner. It can cause or exacerbate psychological problems such as:

• poor motivation.
• feelings of inadequacy.
• frustration.
• denial and low self-esteem.
• may ultimately lead to depression.
• personal, family and business relationships may be affected.

If you experience erectile dysfunction only on occasion, try not to assume that you have a permanent problem or to expect it to happen again during your next sexual encounter. Don't look at one episode of erectile dysfunction as a lasting problem with your health, virility or masculinity.

In addition, if you experience occasional or persistent erectile dysfunction, think of your sexual partner, who may see your inability to achieve an erection as a sign of diminished sexual desire. Your reassurance that this is not the case can be helpful in this situation.

To appropriately treat erectile dysfunction and strengthen your relationship with your partner, try to communicate openly and honestly about your condition.

It's very important that you talk to each other.

Couples may also want to seek counseling to confront any concerns they may have about erectile dysfunction and to learn how to discuss their feelings with each other. Maintaining open communication and couples working as a team throughout the diagnosis and treatment process often makes treatment more successful.

Here is a video that talks about ED check out these videos

Top of Page

Return from Erectile Dysfunction to Adult-SexToys-Guide Home Page