Erectile Dysfunction as It Is: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, affects about 80% of male population all around the world. The vast majority of men over 60 experience the condition. So, what is it? What causes the issue? How can it be treated? In this article you will find answers to all the questions.
Impotence is a constant inability of a man to achieve and hold an erection sufficient for a sexual intercourse. Among other symptoms of the problem are lower libido and decreased sexual desire. The condition may occasionally disturb all the males, though if it appears often and nothing helps, it is time to worry. In general, erectile dysfunction may have the most diverse causes, but the essence remains in the inability of blood to circulate to the penile organs. The enzyme blocks the blood flow directly to the penis restricting erection.
Most Common Causes of Impotence
Rare cases of erectile dysfunction can be explained by stress, anxiety, relationship or family conflicts, fatigue, alcohol intake and other reasons, while constant failure gaining an erection has more serious causes. The condition is diagnosed to be ED only if it lasts for a few weeks or more. There are multiple factors that increase the risk of ED appearance.
The brain, nerves, muscles, blood vessels and hormones take active part in attaining an erection. Correspondingly, an issue with any of the constituents blocks the usual, healthy functioning of the penile organs. The most common health problems that lead to erectile dysfunction are diabetes, heart disorders, stroke or attack, multiple sclerosis, obesity, Parkinson’s diseases, tobacco use, prostate gland disorders and others. Besides, it has been proven that constant alcohol intake increases the chances of ED appearance too. More than half of males who abuse alcohol are diagnosed with sexual dysfunction of different types, either impotence or premature ejaculation.
If you have noticed any changes in your sexual potency, consult your healthcare provider, as impotence is not only a dangerous and unpleasant issue, but it can also be a sign of other related health problems. Your doctor will provide you with the full picture of your health condition and offer you possible solutions. It is surely more beneficial and useful to treat the cause of the problem than its symptoms. That is why, if you have a background heart disease, it is better to balance cholesterol level, lose excess weight and stick to a healthy diet and your impotence will disappear automatically.
Range of Erectile Dysfunction Treatments Available
First of all, to cure impotence it is inevitable to change the lifestyle, forget about harmful habits and motionless routine. Start exercising regularly, lose excess weight, balance your diet, stop smoking and drinking, stick to a healthy lifestyle, and positive changes will appear soon. Apart from a traditional route of changes, there are multiple other ways to improve the condition. They include:
- ED medications. Erectile dysfunction drugs are, probably, the most effective treatment of impotence ever known. Such medications as Viagra, Levitra, Cialis and their alternatives improve the condition greatly and stimulate a strong and durable erection. Despite the fact that the active components of these medications differ, their action remains approximately the same. The active ingredients affect the blood circulation, allowing the blood flow to penile organs producing a hard and long-lasting erection. Additionally, such medications boost endurance, have a preferable impact on libido, sexual desire and other sex related factors. Among possible risks that ED treatments bear are headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, stomach disorders, uncontrolled high or low blood pressure, kidney or liver complications, allergic reactions and multiple other side effects. Consult a healthcare specialist first to ensure the drug will be beneficial in your case and will not produce devastating adverse reactions. If Viagra, Cialis or Levitra are taken following all the recommendations, they will be advantageous and bring your healthy and potent erection back fast and for long. Those people who cannot take ED drugs due to their health condition can get testosterone replacement injections that are also helpful. However, such a method may cause mouth and gum irritation, pain in the penis, increased urination, acne, etc.
- Non-drug treatment. Penile implants, vacuum pumps and blood vessel surgery are the ways to treat erectile dysfunction without medical interference. These means improve the blood circulation, thus, cause a strong erection. Besides, if none of these solutions is appropriate for you, there are numerous natural treatments of erectile dysfunction available.