Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Causes, Treatment & Symptoms

Overview: What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is described as the failure to attain or sustain an erection adequate for sexual engagement. It is sometimes known as Impotence, however, this word is becoming less popular.

• Frequent Reported cases are not rare. It is something that men might feel when they are under stress. However, repeated ED visits might indicate health issues that need medical attention.
• It may also indicate emotional or interpersonal concerns that require the care of a healthcare professional.
• ED may result from difficulties at any step of the lifting process. Increasing blood flow to the penile tissue results in an erection.
• Sexual ideas or physical touch with the penis frequently boost blood flow.
• Whenever a person is sexually stimulated, the muscles in the penis relax, allowing more blood to flow through the penile arteries and filling two chambers within the penis.
• When the cells of the penis are filled with blood, the penis gets firmer. When the muscles flex and the collected blood could flow back out via the genital veins, the erection is over.

Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction:

The first step in addressing ED is to stay aware of your cardiac and arterial health. Your physician may identify "risk factors" that may be modified or improved.

You may indeed be urged to adjust your eating habits, quit smoking, boost your exercise, or abstain from using alcohol or drugs. You may be given alternatives to the medications you are taking. 

Your physician may also advise that you manage emotional concerns. These might be the result of marital troubles, life pressures, sadness, or anxiety from previous ED problems.

The following therapies are available to treat ED effectively.

Healthy practices:

The following dietary adjustments may aid in the treatment or prevention of ED:

• consuming a nutritious diet
• participating in frequent physical activity
• Stopping smoking
• reducing weight if a person is overweight or obese
• restricting or avoiding alcohol consumption
• addressing any underlying medical issues, such as hypertension or diabetes
• enhancing sleeping patterns

Other Treatments for ED:

• Many of the most popular ED treatments are safe and successful. However, it is advisable to check your physician about the possible side effects of each option:
• Oral medications or pills are the most often given phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors in the United States (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Stendra)
• Common oral medications are Cenforce 100, Vidalista 20, Fildena 100, Sildamax 100mg, etc.
• Testosterone Replacement Therapy 
• Injections into the sperm (ICI, intracavernosal Alprostadil)
• Medication for the urethra (IU, Alprostadil)
• Erection Vacuum Devices
• Certain younger men with a past of such severe pelvic traumas may recover from penile implant placement to avoid penile artery damage. Penile vascular surgery is inappropriate for older men with obstructed arteries.

Oral Medications (PDE5 inhibitors)

Inhibitors of PDE type-5 improve penile blood flow. They are the sole oral drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in the United States.

• Viagra ® (sildenafil citrate)
• Levitra ® (vardenafil HCl)
• Cialis ® (tadalafil)
• Stendra ® (avanafil)

Men with erectile dysfunction must take these pills roughly one to two hours before to sexual activity for optimal results. PDE5 inhibitors enhance normal erectile responses by increasing blood flow to the penis. Take these medications exactly as prescribed. 

If you are using nitrates to treat cardiac issues, you need not take any PDE5 inhibitors. Before taking a PDE5 inhibitor, always consult with your doctor to discover how it may impact your health.

PDE5 inhibitors often have modest adverse effects that persist for just a short duration.

The following are the most prevalent side effects:

• Headache
• Nose congestion
• Flushing of the face
• Muscle pain Indigestion

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction (ED):

Erectile dysfunction may be caused by a mix of physical and psychological factors. Concerns about maintaining an erection may be prompted, for instance, by a minor medical issue that impairs sexual responsiveness. The concern is that the outcome might induce or worsen erectile dysfunction. Physical causes of erectile dysfunction:

Common Erectile Dysfunction Causes:

While ED is a harmless illness, it may have an influence on the physical and emotional well-being as well as the life quality of patients and their spouses.

Some of the most prevalent reasons for erectile dysfunction are listed below.

• heart disease
• diabetes
• elevated blood pressure
• Obesity due to high cholesterol
• testosterone deficiency
• stress
• anxiety
• depression
• usage of drugs/alcohol

Causes of Physical Erectile Dysfunction:

In many cases, erectile dysfunction is the result of a physical issue. Typical causes include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Blood vessel occlusion (atherosclerosis)
• High cholesterol levels
• blood pressure is high.
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Parkinson's disease (PD)
  
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Certain prescribed drugs
• Tobacco consumption
• Scar tissue develops within the penis, a hallmark of Peyronie's disease.
• Alcoholism and other types of drug misuse
• Sleep problems
• Prostate cancer and enlarged prostate treatments
• Surgical intervention or injury to the pelvis or spinal cord
• Low testosterone levels
• the fact that metabolic syndrome is characterized by high heart rate, high insulin levels, belly obesity, and high cholesterol.
• Erectile dysfunction has psychological origins.

Beginning with sexual excitement, the brain plays an essential role in starting the series of physical events that result in an erection. Sexual experiences may be impacted in a number of ways, and erectile dysfunction can be a result or symptom of these changes.

Levels of testosterone:

A hormone called testosterone that serves numerous roles in the body. It contributes to man's reproductive health in several ways, including: 

• controlling sexual desire
• keeping the tissues that feed blood to the penis in good condition
• In general, as individuals age, their testosterone levels decline. This may result in a decrease in sexual desire, which may contribute to ED.
• It may also lead to inflammation in the vein system of the penis, reducing blood flow to that region.

Prevention Tips for Erectile Dysfunction:

To avoid erectile dysfunction, it is critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle while also controlling any pre-existing health concerns.

Some examples of healthy living choices are as follows:

• Manage diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic health disorders in collaboration with your doctor.
• Frequent checkups and health screening tests should be scheduled with your doctor.
• Stop smoking, restrict or minimize alcohol use, and avoid using illegal drugs.
• Regular exercise is essential.
• Take actions to alleviate tension.
• If you're struggling with feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anything else, it's important to get help.

Risk indicators of ED:

• Erections may require longer to grow and may be less strong as you age. To get and sustain an erection, you may require a more direct penile touch.
• Erectile dysfunction may be caused by a number of risk factors, including:
• Symptoms might range from diabetes and heart disease to cancer and mental health disorders.
• Smoking tobacco, which restricts blood flow to veins and arteries, may result in long-term healthcare problems that lead to erectile dysfunction.
• Being overweight, particularly if obese.
• Certain medical therapies, such as surgical interventions or cancer radiation therapy,
• Injuries, particularly those that disrupt the flow of blood to the area(s) of the brain that controls erections
• Antidepressants, antihistamines, and drugs to treat high blood pressure, pain, or prostate issues are examples of pharmaceuticals.
• Tension, stress, and sadness are examples of mental conditions.
• Use of substances and alcohol, especially if you are a chronic drug user or a heavy drinker.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of erectile dysfunction may include:

• Having difficulty getting an erection
• Having difficulties keeping an erection
• decreased sexual drive

When should you visit a doctor?

When you have erectile dysfunction, you should see your family doctor.

Consult your doctor if:

• You should see a doctor if you have any concerns about your erections or other sexual disorders, such as Premature ejaculation.
• You have one or more medical conditions that have been linked to erectile dysfunction, such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
• You have other problems in addition to erectile dysfunction.

Faqs:

What is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction in men?

Disorders that restrict blood supply to the penis are among the most prevalent causes of ED in elderly men. These include artery stiffening (atherosclerosis) and hypertension.

How can I recover sperm quality?

Exercise, particularly moderate to severe aerobic activity, has been shown in recent research to improve erectile dysfunction.

What is the easiest way to eliminate ED?

It is recommended to visit a doctor for the quickest results and proper treatment suggestions, which may include:

• Changes in lifestyle
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Counseling
• Medications
• Surgery
• Alternative therapies.

Can a man with ED still come?

The results showed that 92% of men with ED could discharge at least a few times after sexual arousal or intercourse.