The inability to get and maintain an erection which is strong enough for sex is known as erectile dysfunction. Sometimes it is called impotence. Don’t be surprise, it’s getting common for men at younger age, there are a lot of reason behind this.
Battling with erectile dysfunction from time to time is not necessarily a cause for concern. In the event that erectile dysfunction is a permanent problem. It can lead to stress, your self-confidence can be affected, and at the same time, it can also have some effect on your relationship. Problems with gaining or maintaining an erection can also be a sign of a basic medical condition requiring treatment and risk factor for heart disease. There is a simple theory, if you have a strong heart, you will be able to get a hard erection.
In case you are worried about erectile dysfunction, meet your doctor and discuss with him/or her even if you are uncomfortable. Sometimes, one of the most important steps is treating the underlying disease which is enough to reverse erectile dysfunction. In other cases, medications or other direct treatments may be necessary.
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction may include:
- Finding it difficult to get an erection
- Difficulty in maintaining an erection
- Reduction in sexual desire
What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?
There are many possible factors that contribute to erectile dysfunction and may include both emotional and physical disorders. Some common physical and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction are listed below:
- cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia
- damage caused by cancer or surgery
- injuries
- obesity
- increased age
- stress
- anxiety
- relationship problems
- the use of drugs
- alcohol consumption
- smoking
Erectile dysfunction can only be caused by one of these factors mentioned above or more. It is therefore important to work with your physician to exclude or treat any fundamental health condition.
How to prevent erectile dysfunction?
There are so many things you can do to prevent erectile dysfunction but the best way to prevent it is to make a healthy lifestyle choice and manage existing health problems. For example:
- Work with your doctor to treat diabetes, heart disease or other chronic conditions.
- Consult your doctor about regular examinations and medical screening tests.
- Stop smoking, restrict or avoid alcohol and do not use illegal drugs.
- Regular exercise.
- Take steps to reduce stress.
- Get help with anxiety, depression or other mental health problems.
Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction
Meet with your doctor so that questions related to your symptoms and health history will be asked. A test can be performed in order to find out if your symptoms occur as a result of an underlying condition. A physical examination which involves listening to your heart and lungs by your doctor to check your blood pressure and examine your testicles and your penis should also be expected during the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction. Examination of your rectum can also be recommended by your doctor, this is done to check your prostate. In addition, you may need a blood or urine test to iron out other conditions.
What Treatments options are available for erectile dysfunction?
The fundamental cause plays a major role in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. You may also need to use a combination of treatments, including medicines, lifestyle changes, or therapy.
Medications for erectile dysfunction
There are some medications that can be prescribed by your doctor and this medication will assist you in managing the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. You may have to try a few drugs before you find the one that works best for you. Here are some drugs that stimulate blood flow to your penis to help treat erectile dysfunction:
- alprostadil (Caverject)
- avanafil (Stendra)
- sildenafil (Viagra) – The famous little blue pill
- tadalafil (Cialis)
- testosterone (Androderm)
- vardenafil (Levitra)
Natural Remedies and Herbs for ED
For some people, natural remedies can help treat ED. Meet your doctor and discuss with him before trying out a new supplement or herb. It has been shown that the following herbs and additives have different degrees of success in the treatment of erectile dysfunction:
- L-arginine
- DHEA
- Ginseng
- yohimbe
- Asparagus racemosus
Other ways to treat ED include:
- Talk therapy
- Prostatic massage
- Acupuncture
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises
Read more about Preventing Erectile Dysfunction