No Comments

Erectile Dysfunction

What erectile dysfunction is

Erectile dysfunction, a problem that so many men are dreading, even though it is not likely to affect their general health condition in any particular way. Of course, this does not make the problem less serious, because erectile dysfunction is the kind of medical issue that can affect the patient in a number of psychological ways. This sexual disorder can be characterized by two main symptoms: permanent inability to achieve an erection or hold one for long enough to have sex. Patients with erectile dysfunction may not be able to obtain an erection sufficient for starting sexual intercourse, or they are likely to lose their erection too soon. Erectile dysfunction affects millions of males every year, with an estimate of about 150 million men having this problem. For most males, the treatment is easily available and efficient in 90% of cases.

How erectile dysfunction works

Erectile dysfunction occurs when the normal chain of events leading to erectile dysfunction is interrupted. The causes of erectile dysfunction may be different and vary from psychological to physical ones. Physical reasons are accountable for 70-80% of all cases of erectile dysfunction and are in most cases permanent, while psychological problems tend to be temporary. An erection occurs when the brain sends signals down the nerves, which results in increased blood flow in the tissues of the penis. As the corpora cavernosa fill with blood and expand, the male gets an erection that usually goes away after the sexual intercourse is finished. Due to medical reasons and problems with the blood flow, the process may not go normal, resulting in the symptoms of erectile dysfunction that prevent the man from enjoying a normal sex life. It's important to understand and establish the actual cause of erectile dysfunction before starting any kind of treatment, as well as have the severity of the condition evaluated.

How erectile dysfunction can affect you

Erectile dysfunction is a fairly common problem among males, with occurrence of this problem increasing in males as they become older. Unlike commonly thought, this has nothing to do with the aging process per se, rather than the fact males are likely to accumulate certain medical issues by that time, some of which may affect their blood flow and their ability to get and hold an erection. Although erectile dysfunction is not going to cause any other health issues like most other untreated diseases will do, it can affect the patient psychologically, taking a toll on the family relations, career and self-esteem of the affected man. Many patients feel embarrassed talking about the problem to their partner, and psychological tension can also add to the problem they are already having.

How erectile dysfunction is diagnosed

Before any kind of treatment can be started, the patient who suspects erectile dysfunction must see a doctor and have the condition assessed carefully. It's very important to make sure all the necessary steps are made to either rule out the problem or confirm the diagnosis, recommending proper treatment. Erectile dysfunction is highly treatable, whether the patient is intending to start taking ED medications or has to go through a surgery. Erectile dysfunction is present when the patient is unable to get an erection at all, or the erections they manage to achieve are not sufficiently hard. Erectile dysfunction is a permanent problem in most cases. When you see your doctor about suspected erectile dysfunction, you will have to go through physical examination, and some tests may also be required. Those tests can be specific to every situation and the need for them is decided upon by the doctor based on the symptoms described and their severity.

Erectile dysfunction treatment options

Erectile dysfunction treatment options are various and quite convenient, to suit every patient's needs and preferences. Penile surgery, which involves urethral inserts and penile implants, as well as arterial and venous surgery, is currently seen as the last resort treatment for the patient with erectile dysfunction. There are also such options as hormonal supplements, injection therapy, psychological counseling and vacuum devices. Taking ED drugs is one of most popular ways, as it allows having sex and getting a solid erection within an hour from the moment the medicine was taken. Since ED drugs do not cause side effects in most patients and are safe, provided that all the aspects of the patient's health have been discussed in advance, it's a clear choice for most men with erectile dysfunction.

There is hope after all

Even though the fact of having erectile dysfunction can be quite upsetting for the male patient, wide availability of highly efficient treatment options makes it possible to choose the most suitable one and benefit from the treatment just as expected.