ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

DARRIN T. CRUMP
JOURNALIST
LIFE IS YOURS, WIN IN OVER, DON'T FALL BACK 
Everything You Need to Know
About Erectile Dysfunction
(ED)

What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have
sexual intercourse. It’s sometimes referred to as impotence, although this term is now used
less often.

Occasional ED isn’t uncommon. Many men experience it during times of stress. Frequent
ED, however, can be a sign of health problems that need treatment. It can also be a sign of
emotional or relationship difficulties that may need to be addressed by a professional.

What causes an erection?

ED can occur because of problems at any stage of the erection process. An erection is the
result of increased blood flow into your penis. Blood flow is usually stimulated by either
sexual thoughts or direct contact with your penis.

When a man is sexually excited, muscles in the penis relax. This allows for increased blood
flow through the penile arteries, filling two chambers inside the penis. As the chambers fill
with blood, the penis grows rigid.

An erection ends when the muscles contract and the accumulated blood can flow out
through the penile veins.
Erectile dysfunction causes
There are many possible causes of ED, and they can include both emotional and physical
conditions. Common causes include:

 cardiovascular disease
 diabetes
 hypertension, or high blood pressure
 high cholesterol
 obesity
 low testosterone levels or other hormone imbalances
 kidney disease
 increased age
 stress
 anxiety
 depression
 relationship problems
 certain prescription medications, such as those used to treat high blood
pressure or depression
 sleep disorders
 drug use
 consuming too much alcohol
 using tobacco products
 certain health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis (MS)
 damage to the pelvic area through injury or surgery
 Peyronie’s disease, which causes scar tissue to develop in the penis

ED can be caused by only one of these factors or by several of them. That’s why it’s
important to work with your doctor so that they can rule out or treat any underlying medical
conditions. Learn more about the causes of ED.
Erectile dysfunction treatment
Treatment for ED will depend on the underlying cause. You may need to use a combination
of treatments, including medication or talk therapy.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you manage the symptoms of ED. You may
need to try several medications before you find one that works. The following oral
medications stimulate blood flow to your penis to help treat ED:

 avanafil (Stendra)
 sildenafil (Viagra)
 tadalafil (Cialis)
 vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)

Alprostadil (Caverject, Edex, MUSE) is another medication that can be used to treat ED. It
can be administered in two ways: as a penile suppository or as a self-injection at the base
or side of the penis.

Testosterone therapy (TRT) may also be recommended if you have low levels of
testosterone.

Medications used for other conditions may cause ED. Talk to your doctor about your
medications and whether they could be causing your symptoms. There may be others that
you can take instead. Never stop taking medications without first talking to your doctor.

Medications for ED can cause side effects. If you’re experiencing unpleasant side effects,
talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend a different medication. Get more
information on the medications used to treat ED.
Talk therapy

A number of psychological factors can cause ED, including:

 stress
 anxiety
 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
 depression

If you’re experiencing psychological ED, you may benefit from talk therapy. Over several
sessions, you and your therapist will discuss:

 major stress or anxiety factors

 your feelings around sex
 subconscious conflicts that could be affecting your sexual well-being

If ED is affecting your relationship, consider speaking with a relationship counselor as well.

Relationship counseling can help you and you partner reconnect emotionally, which may
also help your ED. Explore the effects of stress and anxiety on ED.

Vacuum pumps

This treatment uses the creation of a vacuum to stimulate an erection. Blood is drawn into
the penis as the device is used, leading to an erection.

A vacuum pump device consists of a few different components:

 a plastic tube, which you place over your penis

 a pump, which works to create the vacuum by drawing air out of the plastic tube
 an elastic ring, which you’ll move to the base of your penis as you remove the plastic
tube
The elastic ring functions to maintain the erection, holding the blood in the penis and
preventing it from returning to circulation. It can be left in place for 30 minutes. Read more
about vacuum pumps and how to use them.

Erectile dysfunction symptoms

You may have ED if you regularly have:

 trouble getting an erection

 difficulty maintaining an erection during sexual activities
 reduced interest in sex

Other sexual disorders related to ED include:

 premature ejaculation
 delayed ejaculation
 anorgasmia, or the inability to achieve orgasm after ample stimulation

Speak with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they’ve lasted for 3
or more months. They can help determine whether your symptoms are caused by an
underlying condition that requires treatment.

Erectile dysfunction tests

Testing for ED can involve a variety of steps, including a physical examination and taking
your health and sexual history. Additional tests may be performed to determine if your
symptoms are caused by an underlying condition.

Physical exam

You should expect a physical exam where your doctor will listen to your heart and lungs,
check your blood pressure, and examine your testicles and penis. They may also
recommend a rectal exam to check your prostate.
Psychosocial history

Your doctor will ask you questions or request that you fill out a questionnaire about your
symptoms, health history, and sexual history. The responses can help them evaluate the
severity of your ED.

Some questions that you may be asked include:

 How long have you been experiencing ED? Did it come on suddenly or gradually?
 Are you having any problems with feeling sexual desire, ejaculating, or reaching
orgasm?
 How often do you have sex? Has this frequency changed recently?
 How firm are your erections? Is this affected by particular situations or types of
stimulation?
 Do you wake up in the morning or in the middle of the night with erections?
 How’s your current relationship? What expectations do you and your partner have for
each other? Have there been any changes?
 Have you recently been experiencing a lot of stress?
 What medications are you currently taking? Do you use tobacco, alcohol, or
nonprescription drugs?
 Do you have any underlying conditions or have you had any surgery on or injury to
your pelvic area?

Additional tests

Your doctor may perform additional testing to help diagnose your ED. Tests can include:

 Ultrasound. An ultrasound can be used to examine the blood vessels of the penis to
determine if there’s a problem with penile blood flow.
 Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test. A portable, battery-powered device, worn
on the thigh, is used to evaluate the quality of your nocturnal erections. Data is
stored in the device, which your doctor can access later.
 Injection test. During this test, a medication is injected into your penis to stimulate
an erection. This allows your doctor to evaluate the firmness of the erection and how
long it lasts.
  Urine tests. Urine tests can be used to check for diabetes or other underlying health
conditions.
 Blood tests. Blood tests can be used to check for conditions such as diabetes, heart
disease, thyroid issues, and low levels of testosterone.

These tests can help your doctor guide your treatment as well as determine if an
underlying condition may be causing your ED. Find out more about how blood tests can be
used to diagnose ED.

Erectile dysfunction exercises

Certain exercises can also help with ED.

Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises are simple movements you can do to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Here’s how:

1. Identify your pelvic floor muscles. To do this, stop peeing midstream. The muscles
you use to do this are your pelvic floor muscles.
2. Now that you know where these muscles are, contract them for 3 seconds. Then
release them.
3. Repeat this exercise 10 to 20 times in a row, three times a day.

A small 2005 study compared two groups of men with ED. The first group of men
performed regular pelvic floor muscle exercises with a physiotherapist. They also
received biofeedback and advice on lifestyle changes. The second group only received
advice on lifestyle changes.

Men in the first group saw their penile function improve significantly after 3 months of
regular pelvic floor muscles exercises. Men in the second group saw little improvement
after 3 months.

For the next 3 months, all participants were given at-home exercises to perform. After 6
months in total had elapsed, 40 percent of all participants (including some men who had
belonged to the second group) had regained normal erectile function.
A 2019 literature review also concluded that pelvic floor exercises were effective at treating
both ED and premature ejaculation. However, the ideal exercise plan (in terms of
conditions such as frequency and intensity) wasn’t identified.

You may find that it’s easier initially to do Kegels while lying down. Eventually, you can
start trying them when you’re sitting or standing.

Aerobic exercise

Moderate to vigorous exercise is not only good for your overall health, but also can
increase blood flow, possibly helping with ED. Examples include running and swimming.

A review of 10 studies examined the effect of aerobic exercise on ED. From their review,
investigators concluded that 160 minutes of weekly exercise for 6 months could lead to a
decrease in erectile problems.

Another study examined physical fitness and testosterone levels in 87 men with ED.
Researchers found that testosterone levels were negatively correlated with levels of body
fat and abdominal fat. This suggests that exercise may increase testosterone in addition to
reducing body fat.

Before you start a new exercise plan, you should always discuss it with your doctor. This is
particularly important for people with heart disease or another underlying condition that
could be aggravated by vigorous activity. Learn more about exercise and ED.

Yoga

Yoga can help to relax your mind and body. Since stress or anxiety can cause or contribute
to ED, practicing yoga may be an effective way to ease ED symptoms.

In fact, a 2010 study of 65 men between 24 and 60 years old found that sexual function
increased significantly after a 12-week program of yoga sessions. Discover five yoga poses
that could help with ED.
Erectile dysfunction foods
ED is often related to problems with blood flow. Maintaining your blood vessel health may
be beneficial in both preventing and treating ED. This can be achieved through making
certain lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet.

Take these simple steps to help reduce your risk of developing ED:

 Focus on eating whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

 Limit your consumption of red meats, full-fat dairy, and processed sugars.
 Drink alcohol in moderation.

Several specific foods, from cocoa to watermelon, may help with ED. Find out what other
foods you may want to add to your grocery cart.

Erectile dysfunction natural treatment

For some men, natural remedies may help treat ED.

Herbs and supplements

Certain herbsTrusted Source and supplements have been shown to treat ED, with varying
degrees of success, including:

 Asparagus racemosus
 dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
 ginseng, such as Korean red ginseng
 L-arginine
 L-carnitine
 yohimbe

Horny goat weed and zinc may help as well.

Speak with your doctor before buying herbs and supplements, and proceed with caution.
Many aren’t regulated, which means they might contain additional ingredients not listed on
their labels.

Additionally, some supplements, such as yohimbe, are associated with potentially

dangerous side effects.

Your doctor may be able to recommend reputable brands as well. However, the following
brands are perfect for anyone. Noted that all these products are only sold buy their official
online stores. The addresses are linked and the details thereof are in their page.

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a type of traditional Chinese medicine in which needles are inserted into the
skin at specific locations, or acupoints. Acupuncture is believed to work through nerve
stimulation, which then has an effect on the release of neurotransmitters.

It’s unclear how acupuncture works to treat ED. Studies on its efficacy are limited, and the
ones that do exist are often inconclusive. Some evidence from a 2019 review indicates that
acupuncture may help to treat psychological ED.
When choosing an acupuncturist, look for a certified practitioner who uses disposable
needles and follows Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for needle disposal
and sterilization. Learn more about the use of acupuncture in treating ED.

Massage

Prostatic massage, a form of massage therapy, may be used for ED. Prostatic massage is
often used in combination with other treatments.

During prostatic massage, a practitioner will massage the tissues in and around the groin
to promote blood flow to your penis. You may need to undergo a massage several times a
week. The length of massage treatment depends on your symptoms.

So far, there have only been limited studies on prostatic massage and its
effectiveness. Get tips on finding a practitioner, and more, with the help of this short guide.

The bottom line

Multiple options exist for people looking for natural ways to treat their ED. Try one of the
options above or even a combination of them. Remedies like acupuncture and massage
can even be paired with Viagra and other traditional medications. Find out more about the
effect of lifestyle changes on ED.

Erectile dysfunction surgery

In cases where medications aren’t effective, your doctor may recommend surgical
treatment. There are two types of procedures that may be used: implants and vascular
surgery.

A penile implant, also referred to as a prosthesis, can be placed in the penis. There are two
different types. An inflatable implant allows you to use a pump to make your penis larger,
while a malleable implant allows you to adjust the position of your penis manually.

Vascular surgery repairs arteries that may be blocked. This can help to restore adequate
blood flow to the penis. Younger men are typically better candidates for this type of
procedure.
Every surgery has its benefits and drawbacks. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor if
you decide to undergo surgery for ED. Check out this guide to penile implants, learn how
they’re placed, and discover what recovery is like.

Erectile dysfunction and diabetes

ED and diabetes can occur together. In fact, the risk of developing ED is approximately 50
percentTrusted Source in men who have diabetes. But why is this?

Diabetes affects how your body processes glucose. When glucose isn’t stored correctly,
excess glucose can be found in your blood, leading to high blood sugar. There are two
major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Having high amounts of sugar in your blood can lead to damage of the blood vessels and
nerves. This damage can also affect the blood vessels and nerves located around the
penis, leading to difficulties attaining or maintaining an erection.

If you have diabetes, it’s important that you work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar
under control. This can help to prevent damage that can lead to ED. Explore the
connection between ED and type 2 diabetes.