Erectile dysfunction- Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a persistent inability to obtain and maintain a firm and strong penile erection. Having ED at times is not a cause of concern. However, if a man is repeatedly experiencing it, he should consult a doctor.

With age, men may face difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection. Nowadays, ED is also seen in greater numbers in young population.

Symptoms

• Loss of sexual desire

• Difficulty in obtaining an erection

• Difficulty in keeping an erection for extended period of time.

Causes

Various physical, psychological or combination of these factors can cause erectile dysfunction. Male sexual arousal process is complicated and it involves nervous system, cardiovascular system and endocrine system. Problem in any of these systems can produce erectile dysfunction.

The most common physical factors that produce ED include-

• Diseases and disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

• Addictions such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

• Surgery

• Injuries to penile organ

• Medications that are prescribed for treatment of depression, hypertension, enlarged prostate and allergic reactions.

The most common psychological causes that produce ED include-

• Performance anxiety

• Stress

• Frustration

• Depression.

Various treatments available for erectile dysfunction:

Depending on your overall health condition and degree of erectile dysfunction, the physician will recommend you the treatment option.

• Drug therapy:

Prescribing oral medications such as Sildenafil citrate (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), Vardenafil (Levitra), and Avanafil (Stendra) is the first thing the doctor does when you will visit him/her with erectile dysfunction issue. All these four oral medications are potent PDE-5 inhibitors. This medications have same mechanism of action. However, they vary in dosage, onset of action and duration of effect. Tadalafil Generic is the longest acting ED medication with an action of 36 hours. All the ED drugs work by improving the blood flow to the penile organ.

• Surgery:

Surgery involves placing of penile implants. This method is not recommended unless all other methods are tried. It provides sexual satisfaction to a greater extent. But, it carries risk of infection, which is associated with ant type of surgery.

• Life Style changes:

Making life style changes also help in managing erectile dysfunction Exercise regularly to stay fit. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga to handle stress. Eat healthy and avoid outside processed food, which contains high amount of fat, sugar and salt. Refrain from addictions such as alcohol, smoking. Maintain a healthy weight. Communicate your feelings to your partner.

• Treatment with herbs or other natural remedies:

Consuming certain herbs or food can also help with erectile dysfunction issue. However, extensive research is need to prove the fact. Only few studies have reported the use of natural remedies for erectile dysfunction.

Thus, the above information can help the men to cope with erectile dysfunction issue.