Having a hard time getting an erection isn’t usually a sign of a serious problem. However, if erectile dysfunction is a long-term condition, it can cause stress, lower your self-esteem, and lead to relationship difficulties.
Problems obtaining or maintaining an erection can also be an indication of a health issue that requires treatment and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Occasionally, addressing the underlying cause is enough to cure erectile dysfunction. Drugs or other direct therapies may also be necessary for some circumstances.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
A condition known as impotence erectile dysfunction is the inability to obtain and maintain an erection strong enough for intercourse. A lack of sexual desire and difficulties with orgasm or ejaculation is not seen as normal at any age and may be related to the development of ED.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Sexual stimulation in men is a multi-step process involving the brain, hormones, feelings, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels all working together. Any one of them can lead to erectile dysfunction.
Similar to erectile dysfunction, stress and mental health issues can lead to or aggravate the condition in males.
Problems with erectile function can be caused by a mix of both physical and psychological factors.
For example, if you have a small medical problem that inhibits your sexual response, you may have to worry about keeping an erection. Anxiety can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction as a result of stress.
- Physical Cause
ED is frequently brought on by a physical problem. Some of the likely reasons are:
Some of the likely reasons are:
- Clogged blood vessels
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Some prescription drugs
- Having tobacco
- Addiction to alcohol and other drugs
- Treatments for prostate cancer and enlargement of the prostate
- Injury or Surgery to the pelvis or spinal cord
- Sleep disorders
- Low testosterone
- Metabolic syndrome is a condition that includes high blood pressure, insulin resistance, abdominal fat, and high cholesterol
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- A condition is known as Peyronie’s disease in which scar tissue grows inside the penis
- Psychological Cause
Starting with feelings of sexual arousal, the brain plays an important role in activating the cascade of physical processes that generate an erection. Several reasons might cause or aggravate erectile dysfunction and interfere with sexual feelings.
Which involves:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Any type of mental illness
- Stress
- Poor communication
- Relationship issues
Symptoms and Complications
Some of the Erectile dysfunction symptoms and complications are given below.
- Symptoms
The following are some symptoms of erectile dysfunction:
- An inability to get an erection
- An inability to maintain an erection.
- Loss of sexual arousal
- Complications
Erectile dysfunction can lead to a variety of complications, including the following:
- An unsatisfactory sexual relationship
- Anxiety or stress
- Low self-esteem and embarrassment
- Relationship issues
- The inability to conceive with your partner
Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis
Medical history and a physical exam are the two primary tools used by doctors to diagnose erectile dysfunction. A specialist appointment or more testing may be necessary if you have ongoing health issues, or your doctor feels an underlying illness is an issue.
Doctors may conduct these tests for underlying conditions:
- Physical Checkup
It involves a thorough examination of your penis and testicles as well as a test for sensation in your nerves.
- Blood Tests
A blood sample will be sent to a laboratory to screen for heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels, and other diseases.
- Urine Tests
Like blood tests, urine tests are used to detect diabetes and other underlying diseases.
- Ultrasound
This test is often done by a specialist in his or her office. It entails holding a wand-like instrument (transducer) over the penis’s blood vessels. It generates a video picture so your doctor can determine if you have blood flow issues.
Occasionally, this test is done with an injection of medicines into the penis to enhance blood flow and generate an erection.
- Psychological Analysis
Your doctor may ask you questions to check for depression and other possible psychological reasons for impotence.
Treatment and Preventions
Your doctor will first perform a physical check to rule out any underlying medical conditions that might be contributing to your erectile dysfunction.
Depending on the origin, severity, and underlying health issues of your erectile dysfunction, you may have numerous treatment choices. Your doctor will go over the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment with you and take your choices into account.
The treatment and preventions option are as follows:
- Medications
There are a variety of medications that may be used to treat ED. Each medicine has a distinct mechanism of action, but all stimulate blood flow to the penis to promote sexual activity.
PDE5 inhibitors are the most often prescribed class of ED medications. They prevent ED by inhibiting certain enzyme activity.
ED medicines may not be safe for people with certain medical issues. You may not be able to have sex if you have heart disease. Your doctor should know whether you’re taking any drugs or have any health issues.
- Tadalafil
An oral medicine that boosts blood circulation throughout the body. It is advised that you take this PDE5 inhibitor not more than once per day. You should take it 30 minutes before sexual activity. The duration of these effects might last up to 36 hours.
- Sildenafil
It’s worth noting that the PDE5 inhibitor, sildenafil (in the form of Viagra), is likewise a PDE5 inhibitor. The only way to obtain Viagra is through an oral pill. You should only take it once each day, 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity.
- Avanafil
PDE5 inhibitor Avanafil is an oral medication. It’s best to take it around 15 minutes before sex. Don’t take it more often than once per day.
If you’re using nitrates to treat heart disease, you should not take any PDE5 inhibitors. Examples of nitrates include nitroglycerin and isosorbide mononitrate. You can die from low blood pressure if you take nitrates and avanafil at the same time.
- Vardenafil
Vardenafil is an oral PDE5 inhibitor medication. Take it as needed 60 minutes earlier to have sex. The doctor may prescribe take this medication once daily. You can get these ed meds online with quick delivery.
- Alprostadil
Penile suppositories and injectable solutions are both forms of alprostadil (marketed under the brand names MUSE, Caverject, and Edex).
You have to inject the fluid directly into your penis for 5-20 minutes before having intercourse. You can make use of it up to three times every week.
If you’re using MUSE, you should give yourself the suppository 5-10 minutes before you have intercourse.
- ED Vitamins and Supplements
Numerous vitamins and supplements on the market claim to help erectile dysfunction (ED). Some claim to improve sexual function and boost energy and vigour. However, these supplements seldom work. They could also be harmful.
Even if they claim to be “natural,” some supplements may include drugs. Supplements for erectile dysfunction might still interfere with other drugs. They could also have adverse effects.
- Preventions
The most effective method for preventing erectile dysfunction is to adopt a healthy lifestyle and treat any current health concerns.
Some of them are:
- Talk to your doctor to control diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases.
- Consult with your doctor for routine checkups and screenings.
- Stop smoking, restrict or abstain from alcohol consumption, and avoid illicit substances.
- Exercise regularly.
- Take measures to alleviate tension.
- Get assistance for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.