Erectile dysfunction has been one of the most common relationship killers amongst most couples and if not dealt with, can lead to infidelity which in turn ruins your relationship. This condition usually attacks men who are over 40 years old simply because of their low levels of testosterone due to aging.
Definition: Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It is also sometimes referred to as impotence. Occasional ED is not uncommon. Many men experience it during times of stress. However, frequent ED can be a sign of health problems that need treatment.
Before we move further into prevention and cure, lets learn about some of the most common causes of ED. Chris Regal of Health Central lists down some of the 8 most common causes of ED:
1 – Heart disease
Men who have experienced ED are at a greater risk for angina, heart attack or stroke. In effect, ED can act as a warning sign for a more serious heart-related condition. It is estimated that 40 percent of men with ED have hypertension, and the drugs used to treat these conditions can exacerbate the situation.
2 – Diabetes
Abnormal arteries and nerve damage are both common complications of diabetes. Damaged blood vessels or nerves can lead to erectile dysfunction. Between 30 and 50 percent of men with diabetes report some form of sexual difficulty. As with heart conditions, ED can serve as a warning about diabetes.
3 – Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions that includes obesity and abdominal fat, unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance — is also a risk factor for erectile dysfunction in men older than 50 years.
4 – Neurological conditions
Conditions that affect the central nervous system, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or stroke, can also cause erectile dysfunction. These diseases interfere with nerve functionality, which could affect sexual performance.
5 – Hormonal conditions
Low levels of testosterone can be a contributing factor to ED, but this is in about 5 percent of men. More often, it is a combination of risk factors, of which low testosterone plays a role. Abnormalities in the pituitary gland can also cause excessive production of the hormone prolactin, which is likewise associated with ED. Thyroid and adrenal gland problems can also contribute to ED.
6 – Prescription medications
Some prescription medications can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. High blood pressure medications, heart and cholesterol medications, depression and bipolar medications, medications for GERD, chemotherapy and hormone drugs can all have an influence on sexual performance. If you have concerns about the side effects of a medication, consult with your doctor.
7 – Psychological causes
Anxiety, stress and depression are conditions that need consideration when addressing the causes of ED. Due to the very nature of ED, undiagnosed psychological underpinnings can lead to a vicious cycle, where ED becomes a greater issue as a man becomes anxious or depressed about his inability to perform.
8 – Lack of vitamin D
While vitamin D deficiency may not play a direct role in erectile dysfunction, it is a risk factor for a number of other conditions, like heart disease, which has been linked to impotence. To get more vitamin D, simply expose yourself to a few more minutes of sunshine each day. If your levels are extremely low, speak to your doctor about supplements.
However, there are several ways one can cure ED if only the right procedures are followed. I would strongly recommend natural ways to artificial ways because of their respective impact. Chris Iliades of Everyday health lists down some of the 8 ways you can treat erectile dysfunction:
1 – Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis
For many of the 30 million Americans affected by erectile dysfunction, Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are the first line of ED treatment and they’re successful for about 80 percent of men. These drugs, called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and work by increasing blood flow to an erection. Common side effects include nasal congestion and headache. Note: If you take nitroglycerin pills for heart disease, you won’t be able to take ED pills, as they can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
2 – Penile Injections
Alprostadil is an FDA-approved erectile dysfunction drug that can be injected directly into the penis to trigger an automatic erection. “Penile injection is the most effective type of ED treatment for men who can’t take oral treatment,” says Nelson Bennett, MD, a urologist at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass. In fact, it has an 85 percent success rate. Possible side effects include a burning sensation and priapism, an erection that lasts more than four hours and requires medical treatment.
3 – Vacuum Pump
Can’t or don’t want to take ED drugs? The vacuum pump method is the next most common choice among men with erectile dysfunction who pass on pills, says Dr. Bennett. To create an erection, you place a plastic cylinder over the penis and pump the air out of the cylinder to force blood to flow into the penis. An elastic ring that you slide onto the base of your penis holds the erection. This ED treatment device is effective for about 75 percent of men. Side effects include numbness, bruising, and weak ejaculation and the ring must be removed after 30 minutes.
Also Read: How to Cure Premature Ejaculation
Also Read: For men: 3 ways to last longer in bed
4 – Surgical Implants
If you have a neurological disorder or spinal cord injury and other erectile dysfunction treatments aren’t effective, two types of surgical implants could offer solutions to your ED. An implantable pump can be used to manually create an erection by pumping fluid into cylinders placed inside the penis, explains Feloney. The other option is a malleable prosthesis that works like a gooseneck lamp to direct the penis into position for intercourse.” Risks for these ED treatments include infection and mechanical breakdown.
5 – Sex Therapy
“Medications that create blood flow to the penis can’t help when an erection is blocked by the fear or anxiety of the fight-or-flight response, says Feloney. This type of erectile dysfunction probably has a lot to do with evolution men didn’t need an erection when a dinosaur was chasing them.” The best way to treat erectile dysfunction caused by performance anxiety, depression, a poor relationship, or stress may be with a combination of ED drug treatment and sex therapy, individual therapy, or couples therapy from sexual health professionals.
6 – Male Hormone Therapy
Commercials for drugs to improve low T, or testosterone, the male hormone, are now vying for airtime, but they address desire, not performance. “Male hormone is not an approved treatment for erectile dysfunction,” notes Bennett. “It may be used to increase desire in men who have low testosterone, but it doesn’t improve blood flow to an erection.” A doctor can do a blood test to check you for low testosterone, but it is a rare cause of ED. Hormone therapy with injections, patches, or gels applied to the skin may improve mood and sex drive, but it likely won’t fix any mechanical issues. Also, testosterone drugs should not be used by men with prostate cancer. Side effects include acne, breast enlargement, prostate enlargement, and fluid retention.
7 – Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto, and yohimbe have been touted as sexual enhancers, and some men have been tempted to try them to treat erectile dysfunction. Bennett warns, however, that none has been approved by the FDA or even shown by any reliable studies to prevent, treat, or improve erectile dysfunction. Moreover, supplements are unregulated and can have many side effects or interfere with prescribed medications you’re already taking. Don’t jeopardize your health by taking a supplement to treat erectile dysfunction without first talking with your doctor.
8 – Shock Wave Therapy
The idea of using low-energy shock waves to treat erectile dysfunction comes from studies that show that these types of shocks help heart blood vessels regrow, a process called revascularization. Shock wave therapy may also work on the penis, and there have been some promising results, but it’s not currently an approved ED treatment. “It’s similar to the type of shock waves used to break up kidney stones, and it may cause revascularization, says Bennett. However, there are not yet any good controlled studies to recommend it to patients.”
