Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

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Simon Doyle

The erectile dysfunction it is usually defined as the inability to maintain an erection - in young people and adults - sufficiently firm and for a certain time. This prevents you from being able to have satisfactory sexual relations.

Having a satisfying sex life is very important to both of you. Therefore, if you or your partner are having erection problems, then you should seek professional help..

Today there are many effective treatments for male impotence. Read on to learn more about this problem and to find out how to fix it..

It is important to note that erectile dysfunction is not considered if impotence occurred or occurs on isolated occasions.

When the difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection is frequent and occurs for a long time, then it is considered that there is a dysfunction.

Statistics on erectile dysfunction

Around the world, an estimated 20 to 30 million men suffer from impotence or erectile dysfunction..

This problem appears more frequently with advancing age. Approximately 5% of 45-year-old men have impotence and this percentage increases to 25% in 65-year-old men.

In addition, it is also estimated that up to 35% of men with diabetes have erectile dysfunction.

As you can see, it is a fairly frequent problem, although a few decades ago it was not a condition frequently referred to in medical offices..

But since the late 80s, consultations for erection problems began to gradually increase, because little by little more people began to talk about sexuality issues at the popular level..

The emergence of Viagra in 1998 also led to a marked increase in inquiries about how to use this drug, which revealed the high incidence of erectile dysfunction in the population..

When should I see the doctor?

If you are having trouble achieving or maintaining an erection repeatedly over a period of time, you may need to consult your GP..

If you are embarrassed to raise your problem with him, you can ask him to refer you to someone else.

But before going to the consultation, it is important that you distinguish what your situation is, between these two possibilities:

  • Suppose you are in serious trouble at work. As a result of that situation you are very worried, you do not sleep well at night, and perhaps you are overindulging in alcohol consumption or smoking more cigarettes. The situation with your partner is fine, and you still find it as attractive as at the beginning of the relationship. But when the moment of intimacy comes, what they both want does not happen.

  • Another very different case from the previous one is when there is no stress factor in your life or there are no major changes in your usual routines, but despite this, when you are intimate with your partner, you cannot have an erection long enough. as before you had.

If your situation is close to the first description, then it is most likely that stress and unhealthy habits are the main cause that explains the problem. It will be enough to eliminate stress and its causes, and resume a healthy lifestyle to return to normal erections.

However, if you identify with a second case, it is best not to waste any more time and consult a professional. There is probably an organic cause for your erectile dysfunction, and the problem must be found and fixed in order to have a satisfying sex life again..

Most common causes of erectile dysfunction

Basically, there are organic causes and psychological causes. Here are the most relevant:

Organic causes

Approximately 70% of erectile dysfunction cases are due to organic causes. Diseases or injuries that affect the nerves or blood vessels are among the most important, because the erection depends on the stimulus and nervous response, and the blood supply of the penis.

Among the most frequent organic causes are the following

  • Diabetes
    Diabetes can damage the nerves in the penis and alter the functioning of the blood vessels in the genital area..

  • Arterial hypertension
    It can affect the functioning of the blood vessels that supply the penis..

  • High cholesterol
    It clogs the arteries of the penis, making it difficult to get an erection.

  • Abusive drug and alcohol use
    Anything that is harmful to your heart and cardiovascular system can cause erection problems.

  • Smoking.

  • Overweight.

  • Sedentary lifestyle

  • Certain surgeries in the pelvic area can affect the nerves in the region and cause erectile dysfunction.

  • The trauma pelvis and injuries in the spinal cord can also be the cause of erection problems.

Some medicines, among which are certain antidepressants or remedies to lower blood pressure can cause erectile dysfunction.

Less commonly, this problem can be caused by a low level of a hormone called testosterone.

Psychological causes

Certain factors such as feelings of insecurity, successive frustrations, trauma from childhood can translate into a problem of sexual impotence.

When the problem is due to these types of causes, the treatment can be complex. This does not mean that there are no effective alternatives, on the contrary, psychology has advanced a lot in this regard.

But the great enemy in these cases is the lack of recognition of the problem by those who suffer it. It is estimated that only 18% of those who have erectile dysfunction for psychological reasons, consult a therapist. A little more than 30% speak it clearly with their partner.

Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction

In the consultation, the doctor will carefully review your medical history and family history. They will see if there are chronic diseases that could be the cause of the problem, they will ask you about your lifestyle and what medications you are taking.

They are also likely to ask the following:

  • What is your confidence level to achieve and maintain an erection?

  • How often do you achieve penetration?

  • After penetration, how often do you manage to maintain an erection?

  • How often do you feel satisfied with sexual intercourse?

  • How would you rate your level of sexual desire?

  • How often do you achieve orgasm and ejaculation?

  • Do you have an erection when you wake up in the morning?

The doctor will probably also perform a Physical exam to rule out anatomical abnormalities. Check your blood pressure and reflexes.

Also, you will likely order blood test to rule out diabetes, check your blood cholesterol level and testosterone level.

In the particular case of the penis, the doctor can make you a ultrasound that allows to see all the arteries of the region. For this you will take previously medication that promotes erection and thus the doctor will obtain anatomical data.

There is also an analysis, called cavernosometry that allows to evaluate the storage capacity of the penis. If this is insufficient, this could be a direct cause
of erectile dysfunction.

Psychological consultation

In the case of a psychological consultation, this will initially contain a series of questions related to the possible causes of the problem.

Then depending on the type of therapy, the treatment of erectile dysfunction will be carried out using different techniques. You must be as sincere, open and clear as possible in this instance, because based on this, you will be able to get help more quickly than
you need.

Main treatments for erectile dysfunction

Currently there are various treatments for erectile dysfunction. For many men, treatment is as simple as taking a pill.

When the pill doesn't work, there are still very effective medications that can be injected into the penis or easily placed into the urethra..

These are the available treatments:

  • If the cause of the dysfunction is a beta-blocker, antidepressant, or diuretic medication, alternatives must be considered. It will always be the doctor who decides what are the possible substitutes.

  • Specific medication, orally
    Both the sexologist and the urologist can prescribe medication to promote arterial dilation. The best known drug in this category is Viagra, whose active compound is called sildenafil. A few years later, other drugs with similar action emerged, such as vardenafil and the tadalafil. The latter has a prolonged action and can act up to 36 hours after taking it..

All of these drugs have contraindications and adverse side effects. That is why it is important that they are always prescribed by a doctor..

  • Injections
    If taking a pill doesn't work for you, don't worry, there are also medications that are administered directly to the penis. Caverject Y Edex are injected into the shaft of the penis using a small needle. Muse is a medicine in the form of a small pill that is placed at the tip of the urethra and can cause an erection in a matter of minutes.

  • Reduce risk factors
    If you are overweight, obese, or if your lifestyle is sedentary, then changing these habits can have a very positive effect on your problem. Stop smoking and don't use alcohol or illegal drugs.

  • Vacuum devices
    Another way to achieve an erection is to use a vacuum device specially designed for this purpose. The penis is inserted into a tube that is connected to a pump. When air is pumped out of the tube, blood flows into the penis, causing the penis to become erected. Then an elastic ring is placed at the base of the penis so that the blood does not come out again, and the tube is removed. The lack of naturalness and spontaneity is the main drawback in this treatment option.

  • Penile implant
    When other treatments don't work, you may choose to have surgery in which an implant is placed in the penis. It consists of two inflatable rods that are filled with liquid through a pump that is implanted under the skin..

Once the implant is in place, the use of this device will be the only way to achieve an erection. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and
disadvantages of this treatment.

  • Psychotherapeutic care
    If the cause of the dysfunction has a psychological origin, cognitive behavioral therapy can be an effective treatment.

The therapist will tell you what attitude to take when you are intimate with your partner and what to do when the fears begin. You will know how to handle anxiety and how to increase your level of confidence to overcome the problem.

Can erectile dysfunction be prevented?

Of course, if you reduce the risk factors, you can avoid erectile dysfunction..

Keep your body weight at a healthy level. Being overweight and obese increases the risk of diabetes and this in turn increases the risk of having erection problems.

If you have high cholesterol, follow the diet indicated by your doctor and take the drugs he prescribes to regulate blood lipid levels..

Avoid habits that are harmful to your cardiovascular system and your health in general, such as smoking, the consumption of alcohol and other drugs.

Exercise regularly and keep sodium intake at bay in your meals to avoid high blood pressure.

If you start to have erection problems with some frequency, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. Proper diagnosis and early treatment are important to find quick and effective solutions for erection problems..

In short, many men have erectile dysfunction, and you shouldn't be ashamed to discuss it with your doctor..

Erection problems can be signs that something is wrong with your nervous or cardiovascular system. However, in many cases they can be solved with a pill, although it is also important to treat the cause of the dysfunction.

Again, do not hesitate to consult a health professional, who will guide you on the best treatment options for your particular case..

What is your experience with erectile dysfunction? What have you done to overcome it? Comment below, your opinion will help readers. Thanks!

References

  1. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/erectiledysfunction.html.
  2. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/
  3. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/007617.htm.
  4. Image source 1.

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