Overview
ED is a prevalent medical condition among males. It’s critical to realize that ED is generally a symptom of another underline illness. It occurs when a man has ongoing difficulties obtaining and maintaining an erection.
There are no age limitations for erectile dysfunction. It is most common in the late phase of the 40s. It could be linked to other issues that prevent sexual activity, like a lack of desire or problems with orgasm and ejaculation.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is usually characterized as the inability to gain or maintain an erection that is physically strong and capable enough to engage in sexual activity. Occasionally, it is also referred to as impotence. This can impact not only sexual activity but also a person’s overall quality of life. Additionally, treating the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction can sometimes be enough to reverse it. Hence, in some instances, medicines or other forms of treatment may be required.
In the United States, it affects approximately 30 million men. All over the world, erectile dysfunction is a common condition among men over 40.
What are the Signs of Erectile Dysfunction?
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction may include:
- Having difficulty getting an erection
- Having difficulty maintaining an erection
- Decreased sexual desire
Other sexual problems associated with ED involve:
- Early ejaculation
- Delayed ejaculation
- Anorgasmia
- The failure to get an orgasm after sufficient stimulation.
Consult your medical professional if these signs persist for three months or longer. That is how they could assist you in determining whether your symptoms are the consequence of an underlying condition that needs to be treated.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Male sexual arousal is a complicated process that involves the brain, emotions, hormones, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles. Issues with any of these can cause erectile dysfunction.
Problems with a person’s blood flow, nervous system, or hormone levels can all impair erectile function. An individual may also develop erectile dysfunction due to psychological factors, for example, anxiety about sexual performance.
One of such factors or a combination of them can cause erectile dysfunction. That is why it is critical to collaborate with your doctor for them to rule out or treat any underlying medical problems.
Several prescription drugs cause erectile dysfunction (ED) as a side effect. While these medicines may be administered to treat an ailment or condition, they can also affect a man’s hormones, nerves, or blood circulation. This results in erectile dysfunction or increases his risk of developing ED.
Physical Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
The majority of ED cases are secondary. It means that initially, the person did not have any trouble but developed ED later. Erectile function was once perfectly normal but is now causing problems. The most frequent causes of a new and constant issue are physical.
Primary ED may occur in rare cases. However, in this condition, an individual has never had an erection. Therefore, the cause of primary erectile dysfunction can be psychological or physical. If a man has constant erection issues, he should consult a medical professional because an underlying medical condition could be the source of the problem. Typical causes include
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Old age
- Sleep problems
- Kidney problem
- Relationship issues
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease (PD)
- High levels of cholesterol
- Prostate disease treatments
- Complications from surgery
- Pelvic or spinal cord injuries
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Radiation therapy to the pelvic area
- Elevated blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart disease and narrowing of blood vessels
- Hormonal disorders, including thyroid conditions
- Structural or anatomical abnormalities of the penis
- Trauma or an injury may contribute to ED symptoms
- Testosterone deficiency or other hormonal imbalances
- Peyronie’s disease is understandable by scar tissue formation in the penis
The predicted probability of acquiring ED in men with a history of COVID-19 was 5.66 greater. Even after taking into account additional variables, their statistics remained constant. Consequently, the primary reason behind covid-erectile dysfunction is anxiety and depression.
Above mentioned factors can cause erectile dysfunction. That is why it is critical to cooperate with your medical professional for them to rule out or treat any underlying medical conditions.
Stages of Getting Erect
Males are familiar with how an erection develops. According to science, an erection has five stages. They are as follows:
STAGE 1
Sexual or psychological stimulation causes impulses from the brain and nerves surrounding the penis to relax, allowing blood to fill the corporal bodies.
STAGE 2
At this stage, the penis is slightly swollen. The arteries of the penis become dilated, which allows good blood to flow into the penis.
STAGE 3
Increased pressure prevents the increased blood volume in the penis from draining, causing the penile veins to flatten and the penis to swell to full erection.
STAGE 4
Maximum rigidity has been achieved. As the penis becomes highly engorged, the veins that cause blood flow to exit the penis become more constricted, resulting in maximum hardness in the erection. This stage occurs just before the climax of sexual activity. Then there’s orgasm and ejaculation.
STAGE 5
Muscle contractions following orgasm and ejaculation cause increased blood outflow from the penis, shortening its length. The penis goes back to being flaccid.
Erectile Dysfunction and Diabetes
ED and diabetes are pretty different medical conditions but can occur together. We can count that ED is more prevalent in males who have diabetes.
As it is known that diabetes brings up several other disorders as a side effect due to the presence of high sugar in the blood may damage or weaken the blood vessels present in different locations, including the penis. Due to damaged penis vessels, it is difficult for a person to get or maintain an erection. It is the primary reason a diabetic male is more prone to erectile dysfunction.
Prevention
Poor Lifestyle choices cause or even aggravate erectile dysfunction for most people. So, if you want to fix erectile dysfunction, change your lifestyle. For example
Quit Smoking
You should quit smoking if you smoke. Get help if you’re having trouble finishing. Try nicotine replacement therapy, such as over-the-counter antibiotics like gum or lozenges, or speak with your medical professional about a prescription medicine that can assist you in quitting smoking.
Lose Weight
Obesity can induce or even aggravate erectile dysfunction. That is why it is necessary to shed a few pounds.
Start Exercising Regularly
Make physical activity a daily habit. Exercising daily can assist with underlying conditions that cause erectile dysfunction in many ways, such as stress reduction, weight reduction, and increased blood flow.
Stop Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Excessive alcohol consumption or using specific illegal drugs can intensify erectile dysfunction directly or indirectly by inducing long-term health issues.
Work Through Relationship Problems
Consider going to couples counseling if you are having difficulty with your partner.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
For some of the reasons for erectile dysfunction, specialized treatments are available.
The Penis Blood Vessel Constriction: Statins can be recommended to decrease cholesterol plaque and blood pressure medication to improve blood flow.
Hormone-Related Issues: Hormones balancing medications such as testosterone.
Medicine-associated ED: Change in medication after consulting with the GP.
Doctors frequently prescribe erectile dysfunction medication like sildenafil to patients with erectile dysfunction.
Medications
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved several ED medications, including:
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
- Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
These medications are PDE5 inhibitors that relax muscles and increase blood flow to the penis.
Other medications
There are several different medications for erectile dysfunction, including:
- Alprostadil self-injection. Using this method, you inject medication such as alprostadil (Caverject) into the side of your penis using a fine needle. Sometimes penile injections are used on their own or in combination. Examples include alprostadil and phentolamine. If two medications are included, that is known as bimix, and a variety of three is referred to as trimix. Each injection is dosed to make an erection lasting no longer than an hour. Although the pain from the injection site is very slight, some side effects can include mild bleeding from the injection site, a prolonged erection (priapism), and the formation of fibrous tissue at the site.
- Alprostadil urethral suppository. Alprostadil intraurethral therapy involves placing a tiny suppository inside your penile urethra using a unique applicator. Consequently, the erection starts within 10 minutes and lasts around 30 and 60 minutes. Some side effects include a burning sensation in the penis, minor bleeding from the site, and the formation of fibrous tissue inside the penis.
- Testosterone replacement. In people with low levels of testosterone hormones, testosterone replacement therapy might be recommended as the sole therapy or given in combination with other therapies.
How to Cure Erectile Dysfunction Permanently Naturally??
There are several natural treatments and remedies which are available for erectile dysfunction. Before trying a new treatment, consult with your doctor. They can assist you in determining the cause of your ED and recommend effective ED treatment options, whether conventional, natural, or a combination of the two.
Healthy and Balanced Diet
A balanced diet and foods for erectile dysfunction can aid you in maintaining your sexual function and reduce your chances of developing it.
Likewise, according to a 2020 study, men who strictly followed the Mediterranean or Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 diet had a lower risk of developing ED. In addition, they ate less red or processed meat and mainly ate:
- Nuts
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Fruits
- Fish
Therefore, healthy eating habits can help to remain erect and sexually active. Certain foods kill erectile dysfunction. i.e., green leafy vegetables, dry fruits, etc.
Sleep
Getting sufficient sleep every night is crucial for good health. Sleeping regularly may also help in improving your erectile dysfunction. According to a 2017 study, males who work at night and have poor sleep quality are likelier to develop ED.
People with a sleep disorder are more likely to develop ED, according to a 2019 study. Other studies have linked obstructive sleep apnea to a higher ED risk.
Sleep deprivation can also cause testosterone levels to drop, which may contribute to ED. Chronic sleep deprivation is also associated with ED-related conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese needle therapy that increases blood flow. It is most common for treating chronic headaches and backaches. However, some men have discovered that it aids in treating erectile dysfunction.
Yohimbine
This compound belongs to indole alkaloids extracted from the Yohimbe tree’s bark in Africa. Also, yohimbine effectively treats fatigue, depression, diabetes, and sexual dysfunction. Yohimbine was superior to a placebo in a meta-analysis of seven placebo-controlled trials.
Ginseng
It is the most common ingredient among top-selling supplements for the sexual health of men. Ginseng is a word that is derived from the Chinese word “Renshen.” Ren means “person,” and she suggests “plant root.” Therefore, ginseng has traditional uses in restoring and improving the body’s average well-being. Moreover, ginseng interacts with the central nervous system, metabolism, immune function, and cardiovascular system to improve the quality of its functioning.
Korean ginseng is a popular herbal ED remedy. That’s partly because studies have shown it beneficial, even if researchers are still unsure how it works.
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack)
Tongkat Ali is a popular herb in Malaysia and Singapore, where it is common for treating diseases and improving general and sexual health, particularly among the Malay ethnic group. Extracts of the roots are famous for treating sexual dysfunction.
L-arginine with Pycnogenol
Oral administration of L-arginine in combination with Pycnogenol improves sexual function in men with ED without causing side effects. Pycnogenol increases NO production by nitric oxide synthase when combined with L-arginine as a substrate for this enzyme. After the third month of treatment, 92.5% of the men had a normal erection, according to a three-month study on men.
Horny Goat Weed
Epimedium grandiflorum, or horny goat weed, is an ancient fertility remedy.
In addition, a 2010 study discovered that the active component of horny goat weed, icariin, may be beneficial in treating ED caused by nerve injury. This study, however, was conducted on lab-grown nerve cells and rats with injured nerves.
This supplement is generally well tolerated, but insufficient evidence supports its use.
Rhodiola Rosea
This plant, known as “golden root,” is a relatively new herbal remedy in the United States.
Medicine has been used for decades to improve endurance and sexual activity.
What is the Latest Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction?
Researchers have been investigating different options for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The following are some of the most compelling recent treatments for erectile dysfunction:
Shockwave Therapy.
It is one of the most current treatments for ED. According to 2019 research, this treatment may benefit ED induced by vascular disease.
Shockwave therapy increases blood flow and encourages the formation of new blood vessels. Moreover, this is accomplished by transmitting a pulse and sending low-intensity sound waves through the erectile tissue. More clinical trials, however, are required to determine whether penile shockwave therapy is effective and safe.
Melanocortin Receptor Agonists
Melanocortin receptor agonists may benefit ED patients resistant to phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
Stem Cell Therapy
In people who have had prostate cancer surgery or diabetes, stem cell therapy can help regenerate damaged tissue. This treatment is still being tested in clinical trials.
Complications
The complications associated with erection problems are significant and can negatively impact your quality of life. If you have erection problems, you may also have the following:
- An unsatisfactory sexual life
- Anxiety or stress
- Feelings of embarrassment or low self-esteem
- Relationship issues
- Inability to conceive with your partner
When to Consult a Doctor
Don’t hesitate to urgent care if you cannot maintain an erection or your sex life is completely disturbed due to erectile dysfunction.
You can consult with one of our best doctors at Your Doctors Online and get the best advice and treatment for Erectile dysfunction today.
FAQs About Ejectile Dysfunctions (ED) Answered by Your Doctors Online Team
There are several ways to prevent erectile dysfunction, including weight maintenance, proper management of diabetes, regular exercise, 8 hours of adequate sleep, and avoidance of drugs and alcohol.
Even though it is more common as men age, erectile dysfunction can occur at any age. Men over 75 are most likely to develop erectile dysfunction, but younger men can suffer if various factors cause it.
Constant pressure on the region while riding a bike may compress the pudendal artery and lead to nerve injury that can result in temporary or prolonged erectile dysfunction.
Some vitamins such as D, C, B9, and ginseng effectively treat ED.
The nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) stamp test confirms whether you experience erections at night. Men with normal physiological erectile function will experience an erection during normal sleep.
Testosterone levels can drop with age, increasing your risk for erectile dysfunction (ED). However, it is essential to note period is not the only factor.
