Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is the incapability to keep an erection firm enough for sex.

If you are suffering erectile dysfunction and it is an ongoing issue, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and also causes relationship problems. This problem can also be a sign of for other health condition that needs early treatment and also a major cause of heart disease.

If you're alarmed by erectile dysfunction get in touch with your family doctor. Sometimes treating underlying conditions are enough to reverse this incapability. In severe cases, medications or direct treatments are required.

Symptoms

Erectile dysfunction symptoms are enlisted below:

• Trouble getting an erection
• Trouble keeping an erection
• Reduced sexual desire

When to see a doctor

If you are having erectile problems, a family doctor is a good place to start. See your doctor if:

• You have concerns about your erections
• Experiencing other sexual problems such as delayed ejaculation and premature
• Suffering diabetes, heart disease or health condition that are linked to erectile dysfunction

Causes

Male sexual stimulation is a very complex process which involves the hormones, brain, emotions, muscles, nerves and blood vessels. Stress and mental health are the most common cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.

In some cases, physical and psychological issues cause erectile dysfunction. For illustration, a minor physical condition can slow down the sexual response and cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. This anxiety results in worsen erectile dysfunction.

Physical causes of erectile dysfunction

In many cases, erectile dysfunction is caused something physical:

• Heart disease
• Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity

Metabolic syndrome — a condition of increased blood pressure, body fat around the waist-high insulin levels, and high cholesterol

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction

The brain plays a major role in erection, starting from the feelings of sexual excitement. A number of psychological things interfere with sexual feelings and cause erectile dysfunction. These include:

• Depression, anxiety
• Other mental health conditions
• Stress
• Relationship problems due to stress
• Poor communication or other concerns

Complications

• Disturbed sex life
• Stress or anxiety
• low self-esteem or embracement
• Relationship problems
• The inability to make a partner pregnant

Prevention

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is an effective way to prevent erectile dysfunction. For example:

• Get in touch with the doctor to manage heart disease diabetes or other chronic health conditions.
• A regular visit to the doctor for checkups and medical screening tests.
• Stop smoking
• limit the use of alcohol
• Say no to illegal drugs.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take steps to reduce stress.
• Get help for depression anxiety, or other mental health concerns.
• Good communication with your partner

Diagnosis

A physical exam and answering questions are needed for a doctor to diagnose and treat the erectile. If you have chronic health conditions then you might go for the tests or a consultation with a specialist.

Tests for underlying conditions might include:
• Physical exam. This test includes the entire checkup of your penis and testicles and nerves sensation is also checked in this.
• Blood tests. A sample of your blood taken to check for signs of diabetes, heart disease, low testosterone levels and other health conditions.
• Urine tests (urinalysis). Urine tests are done to diagnose health conditions like diabetes and other health conditions.
• Ultrasound. It is a video image which allows the doctor to check the blood flow problems if any.
• Psychological exam. Doctor ask questions to observe the level of depression and other possible psychological causes of erectile dysfunction.

Treatment

Initially, the doctor diagnoses the underlying symptoms and the causes and according to that, the treatment is offered by the doctor. Depending upon the causes and severity the treatment options are decided by the doctor. Your health specialist will explain the risk and the benefits of each treatment before the treatment and according to the mutual understanding with your partner, you can go for the treatment, as the partner preference matter a lot in treatment choice.

Oral medications

Oral medications are the successful method to treat erectile dysfunction and this includes:

• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
• Avanafil (Stendra)

All four medications are used to the effects of nitric oxide — it is a natural chemical which is helpful in relaxing the muscles of the penis. Also, increases the blood flow. These medications basically amplify the signal, allowing some men to function normally.

The medications dosage varies according to the cause and the severity. Possible side effects caused by these medicines are:

• Flushing
• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Visual changes,
• Backache and stomach upset.

These medications take the time to treat your erectile dysfunction as no immediate response is provided. It is highly recommended to get in touch with the doctor to find the right medication and dosage for you.

Before taking any medication, including supplements and herbal remedies, make sure to get them to check with your doctor.

Other Medications

Other medications for erectile dysfunction include:

Testosterone Replacement

In some cases, erectile dysfunction might be due to the low levels of the hormone testosterone. In such a case, testosterone replacement therapy is recommended

Penis pumps, surgery and implants

Penis pumps. A penis pump is a hollow tube work with the hand or battery-powered pump. The tube is placed over your penis, and the pump is used to suck the air out from the tube. The vacuum is created in the whole process that pulls blood into the penis.

Once it is done, a tension ring is created around the base of your penis to hold the blood. You then remove the vacuum device.

The erection is enough for a couple to have sex and you remove the tension ring after intercourse. This also has some possible side effect such as:

• Ejaculation will be restricted by the band
• Your penis might feel cold to the touch.

According to the severity and cause if a penis pump is a good treatment choice, then your doctor might recommend you with a specific model.

Penile implants

This treatment involves surgery through which the devices are placed on both sides of the penis. These implants consist of inflatable or malleable rods, which allow you to control an erection. The malleable rods are capable to keep your penis firm as well as bendable.

Penile implants are usually the last option until other methods are not beneficial. Implants offer a high degree of satisfaction among men who have tried. As with all this surgery also comprises the risk of complications, such as infection.

Exercise

Exercise is just a boon to a healthy life, it is the right choice if you want to live a healthy and perfect life. Moderate to vigorous aerobic activity is very useful to improve erectile dysfunction. However, it is less beneficial for the men those have heart disease or other significant medical conditions.

Regular exercise can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction. Also, increasing the level of activity also reduces further risk.

For more details about the exercise, you can get in touch with your health specialist and discuss an exercise plan.

Psychological Counselling

In many cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by stress, anxiety, depression and this condition also lead to relationship tension and stress. At this stage your doctor can advise you or you and your partner in a better way so, visit the psychologist or counsellor is a must.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Erectile dysfunction is also caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices. Here is the step that is very helpful down the risk:

Quit smoking, if you facing trouble quitting in doing so ask your doctor for a prescription or try nicotine replacement, such as lozenges.

Lose excess weight, as being overweight is also a major cause of erectile dysfunction.

Add up the physical activity in your daily routine. Exercise can help you to reduce stress, helping you lose weight and increasing blood flow.

Limit the use of alcohol or drug problems, as this leads to a long-time health problem.

Work upon your relationship issues. Consider couples counselling or communication with your partner and work on your problems yourself.

Preparing for your appointment

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms get in touch with your family doctor or a general practitioner. Depending on your health concerns, you can directly visit the specialist — such as a health specialist who specialize in male genital problems (urologist) or who specializes in the hormonal systems (endocrinologist).

Overview

Ten to 15 per cent of couples are struggling with the problem of infertile. If you and your partner are also unable to have a baby despite having frequent and unprotected sex, then there must be a problem in you or maybe in your partner. When the problem lies in the male partner then it is known as male infertility.

Male Infertility is the incapability to make your partner pregnant, there is a combination of factors that interfere in the pregnancy. Fortunately, there are many secure and effective therapies that improve your chances to make your partner pregnant.

Causes

• Abnormal sperm production
• Problems with the delivery of sperm
• Overexposure to environmental factors such as pesticides and chemicals, and radiation.
• Overuse of Cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana
• Frequent exposure to heat, such as hot tubs
• Damage caused cancer and its treatment

Prevention

• Avoid the use of drug and tobacco use
• limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid high temperatures
• Avoid exposure to environmental toxins and industry
• Limit medications that may impact fertility
• Regular exercise may improve sperm quality