Erectile Dysfunction
A Man's Condition A Couple's Concern
Erectile cialis Is More Common Than You Think
If you think you or someone you know has erectile dysfunction, you are not alone. It is a common condition. In fact, most men have an occasional erection problem at some time in their lives. Unfortunately, for a surprising number of others, erectile dysfunction, and two thirds of these have moderate or complete dysfunction. This means that it affect more than 100 million men world wide.
Dispelling The Myth Of Impotence
Erectile dysfunction is not something to be embarrassed about. Today, we use the term "erectile dysfunction" instead of "impotence" because it provides a less judgmental and more accurate description of this very specific problem that some men have in achieving and maintaining erections.
Having erectile dysfunction doesn't mean a man is infertile or that he is unable to have an orgasm or ejaculate.
Erectile dysfunction is a treatable condition in most men who have it. While it is not a life-threatening condition even when it is severe, it may have a very significant impact on a man's self-image and a couple's relationship.
How Erections Occur
An erection is the result of a complex process involving the body's blood vessels and central nervous system. The anatomy of the penis is specially designed to respond to this process.
The penis is made up of two structures that start inside the pelvis and run parallel to each other until they reach the tip of the penis. These structures consist of fibrous tissue that contains many blood vessels. Usually, the walls of these blood vessels are contracted. This prevents extra blood from flowing into the penis and keeps it soft most of the time.
When a man experiences sexual arousal, the blood vessels in the penis begin to expand. This enables more blood to flow rapidly into the penis. At the same time, the veins that usually take blood away from the penis become compressed. This restrict the amount of the blood that can flow out of the penis. With more blood flowing in and less flowing out, the penis enlarges, resulting in an erection.
What Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
In men with erectile dysfunction, the chemical reactions responsible for erections do not take place as usual, so the blood vessels don't expand sufficiently and the penis cannot fill with blood. This result in a weak erection or none at all.
It was mistakenly believed that erectile dysfunction was largely a psychological issue or an unavoidable result of getting older. While it's true that age can be a factor, erectile dysfunction is by no means inevitable as a man gets older. Instead, we know that the majority of erectile dysfunction cases are associated with physical and medical conditions.
Common risk factors include:
- Medical conditions that make it difficult for enough blood to flow into the penis, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and hardening of the arteries.
- Nerve trauma from injury or illness that interrupts the connection between the central nervous system and the penis such as diabetes, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or surgery for the prostate or colon.
- Psychological conditions such as anxiety and stress.
- Other medical conditions such as kidney or liver disease, depression, or hormonal disorders.
- Medications that may bring about erectile dysfunction as an unwanted side effect, including some drugs in the following categories: high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, drugs used to treat cancer, and anti-epileptic medications.
- Cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and/ or drug use.
Erectile Dysfunction Is Easy To Diagnose
When you go to see your doctor, he or she will take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. You will talk about any medical conditions that you already have and review the medications that you are currently taking.
Don't hesitate to be open and honest about any problems you have in achieving or maintaining an erection. Try to provide your doctor with as much detail as possible. Remember, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Your doctor will help you in any way possible.
Treatment Option For Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can be successfully treated. Because there is a wide range of treatments available, you and your doctors should be able to decide on which best suits your situation. You may want to ask your partner to participate in this discussion. This will help you gain your partner's emotional support and choose a treatment that will provide the best solution to both of you as a couple.
Depending on the diagnosis, there are a number of non-invasive steps that can be taken to treat erectile dysfunction. In some cases, treating erectile dysfunction can be as simple as:
1. Stopping cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or illicit drug use.
2. Your doctor changing the dose of a medication that may be causing erectile dysfunction or prescribing another equally effective drug.
3. Professional Counseling And Psychotherapy - This alone may be helpful for some patients. Professional counseling also supplements other treatment methods.
4. Vacuum Constriction Device - This consist of a closed plastic cylinder which is place over the penis to create a vacuum effect that increase blood flow into the penis.
5. Oral Medication - The drug sildenafil citrate is taken an hour before anticipated sexually stimulation by improving blood flow to the penis. This treatment option is not available for men on medication with nitroglycerin or nitrates.
NOTE: Never stop taking or change the dose of any prescription medication unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The good news is that, regardless of the cause, the majority of cases of erectile dysfunction are treatable. Patients now have a variety of treatment options with their doctor. It is important to remember that these treatment are not for everyone, but only for men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. Before starting any kind of therapy for erectile dysfunction, you must consult your physician first. This important for several reasons:
- Cardiac risk is associated with sexual activity especially for patients who are resuming sexual activity after a heart attack or cardiac surgery.
- Medications for erectile dysfunction may interact with certain cardiovascular medications.
- Only your doctor can determine and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Don't Let Erectile Dysfunction Complicate Your Life
Erectile dysfunction doesn't affect only you. It can have a profound effect on your partner. For this reason, it's important for both of you to remember that majority of cases of erectile dysfunction are associated with physical condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, prostrate surgery, and spinal cord injury and trauma, or a medical condition such as depression, and not an emotional or psychological issue.
Ask your partner for support. If possible, sit down with your partner and talk about the ways in which erectile dysfunction may have impacted your relationship. This can be an opportunity to share your feelings and let your partner know that you would like to make things better - not just for yourself but for both of you.
Since erectile dysfunction affect both of you, it might be a good idea for your partner to go with you for your doctor's appointment. That way, you will both get a clear idea of the condition and treatment options that are available. Then you can discuss them with your partner and choose the course of action that's best for you and your relationship.
Today, with such a wide range of treatment options available, there is no need for any man to suffer silently with erectile dysfunction. If anything, the greatest obstacle to getting help you need may be your own hesitancy to talk about the subject with your doctor.
If you think you or someone you are concerned about has erectile dysfunction, there is something you can do: consult your doctor. It's more likely that together you will be able to find effective treatment that's right for you and your partner.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile cialis Is More Common Than You Think
If you think you or someone you know has erectile dysfunction, you are not alone. It is a common condition. In fact, most men have an occasional erection problem at some time in their lives. Unfortunately, for a surprising number of others, erectile dysfunction, and two thirds of these have moderate or complete dysfunction. This means that it affect more than 100 million men world wide.
Dispelling The Myth Of Impotence
Erectile dysfunction is not something to be embarrassed about. Today, we use the term "erectile dysfunction" instead of "impotence" because it provides a less judgmental and more accurate description of this very specific problem that some men have in achieving and maintaining erections.
Having erectile dysfunction doesn't mean a man is infertile or that he is unable to have an orgasm or ejaculate.
Erectile dysfunction is a treatable condition in most men who have it. While it is not a life-threatening condition even when it is severe, it may have a very significant impact on a man's self-image and a couple's relationship.
How Erections Occur
An erection is the result of a complex process involving the body's blood vessels and central nervous system. The anatomy of the penis is specially designed to respond to this process.
The penis is made up of two structures that start inside the pelvis and run parallel to each other until they reach the tip of the penis. These structures consist of fibrous tissue that contains many blood vessels. Usually, the walls of these blood vessels are contracted. This prevents extra blood from flowing into the penis and keeps it soft most of the time.
When a man experiences sexual arousal, the blood vessels in the penis begin to expand. This enables more blood to flow rapidly into the penis. At the same time, the veins that usually take blood away from the penis become compressed. This restrict the amount of the blood that can flow out of the penis. With more blood flowing in and less flowing out, the penis enlarges, resulting in an erection.
What Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
In men with erectile dysfunction, the chemical reactions responsible for erections do not take place as usual, so the blood vessels don't expand sufficiently and the penis cannot fill with blood. This result in a weak erection or none at all.
It was mistakenly believed that erectile dysfunction was largely a psychological issue or an unavoidable result of getting older. While it's true that age can be a factor, erectile dysfunction is by no means inevitable as a man gets older. Instead, we know that the majority of erectile dysfunction cases are associated with physical and medical conditions.
Common risk factors include:
- Medical conditions that make it difficult for enough blood to flow into the penis, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and hardening of the arteries.
- Nerve trauma from injury or illness that interrupts the connection between the central nervous system and the penis such as diabetes, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or surgery for the prostate or colon.
- Psychological conditions such as anxiety and stress.
- Other medical conditions such as kidney or liver disease, depression, or hormonal disorders.
- Medications that may bring about erectile dysfunction as an unwanted side effect, including some drugs in the following categories: high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, drugs used to treat cancer, and anti-epileptic medications.
- Cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and/ or drug use.
Erectile Dysfunction Is Easy To Diagnose
When you go to see your doctor, he or she will take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. You will talk about any medical conditions that you already have and review the medications that you are currently taking.
Don't hesitate to be open and honest about any problems you have in achieving or maintaining an erection. Try to provide your doctor with as much detail as possible. Remember, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Your doctor will help you in any way possible.
Treatment Option For Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can be successfully treated. Because there is a wide range of treatments available, you and your doctors should be able to decide on which best suits your situation. You may want to ask your partner to participate in this discussion. This will help you gain your partner's emotional support and choose a treatment that will provide the best solution to both of you as a couple.
Depending on the diagnosis, there are a number of non-invasive steps that can be taken to treat erectile dysfunction. In some cases, treating erectile dysfunction can be as simple as:
1. Stopping cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or illicit drug use.
2. Your doctor changing the dose of a medication that may be causing erectile dysfunction or prescribing another equally effective drug.
3. Professional Counseling And Psychotherapy - This alone may be helpful for some patients. Professional counseling also supplements other treatment methods.
4. Vacuum Constriction Device - This consist of a closed plastic cylinder which is place over the penis to create a vacuum effect that increase blood flow into the penis.
5. Oral Medication - The drug sildenafil citrate is taken an hour before anticipated sexually stimulation by improving blood flow to the penis. This treatment option is not available for men on medication with nitroglycerin or nitrates.
NOTE: Never stop taking or change the dose of any prescription medication unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The good news is that, regardless of the cause, the majority of cases of erectile dysfunction are treatable. Patients now have a variety of treatment options with their doctor. It is important to remember that these treatment are not for everyone, but only for men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. Before starting any kind of therapy for erectile dysfunction, you must consult your physician first. This important for several reasons:
- Cardiac risk is associated with sexual activity especially for patients who are resuming sexual activity after a heart attack or cardiac surgery.
- Medications for erectile dysfunction may interact with certain cardiovascular medications.
- Only your doctor can determine and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Don't Let Erectile Dysfunction Complicate Your Life
Erectile dysfunction doesn't affect only you. It can have a profound effect on your partner. For this reason, it's important for both of you to remember that majority of cases of erectile dysfunction are associated with physical condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, prostrate surgery, and spinal cord injury and trauma, or a medical condition such as depression, and not an emotional or psychological issue.
Ask your partner for support. If possible, sit down with your partner and talk about the ways in which erectile dysfunction may have impacted your relationship. This can be an opportunity to share your feelings and let your partner know that you would like to make things better - not just for yourself but for both of you.
Since erectile dysfunction affect both of you, it might be a good idea for your partner to go with you for your doctor's appointment. That way, you will both get a clear idea of the condition and treatment options that are available. Then you can discuss them with your partner and choose the course of action that's best for you and your relationship.
Today, with such a wide range of treatment options available, there is no need for any man to suffer silently with erectile dysfunction. If anything, the greatest obstacle to getting help you need may be your own hesitancy to talk about the subject with your doctor.
If you think you or someone you are concerned about has erectile dysfunction, there is something you can do: consult your doctor. It's more likely that together you will be able to find effective treatment that's right for you and your partner.
Erectile Dysfunction