Suffering from Erectile Dysfunction?: (8 things you need to know)
Suffering from Erectile Dysfunction?: (8 things you need to know)
Erectile dysfunction ( ED) is a state that happens when a man regularly finds difficulty getting and keeping an erection sufficient enough for sex. Also, they can sometimes interfere with other or various sexual activities.
Many men experience difficulty with their penis to become hard; however, in most cases, its not a cause for concern or alarm. But note: if your sexual performance has been an ongoing issue, it can be a sign of severe health issues that need treatment.
You should not take ED as a problematic issue; however, emotion and sensitive it may be. It’s a normal thing that can happen to anyone, and therefore, you should talk it out to your urologist or your confidant in case it happens to you.
This article offers you details and information on how to tackle this.
ED is ubiquitous. According to statistics done by UW Health, 5 percent of men aged 40years have complete ED, with a 15 percent increase to men aged 70 and mild ED affecting at least 10 percent of men per 10 years of life. However, It can also happen to young men.
ED can occur at any age, but the risk factor is mostly on older people. You see, as people age, they tend to have health issues that might interfere with the ED. Also, older men need stimulation to get an erection.
Facts
Causes can be psychological as well as medical.
Smoking, alcohol, prescription drugs can all cause ED.
ED is the inability or difficulty to keep an erection sufficient to have sex.
ED can signal serious health problems.
ED is curable
Symptoms
If you can’t get an erection that is rigid enough to for sex, then you might be probably suffering from ED. Others include:
Reduced penile sensitivity
Softer erections
Reduced sexual desires
Having trouble to keep an erection
Emotional symptoms like anxiety
Anorgasmia
Causes
A man’s sexual arousal is a process involving emotions, hormones, brain, muscles: nerves, and blood vessels.
Causes may vary from both psychological and physical; this includes:
PSYCHOLOGICAL | PHYSICAL |
Depression | Medication |
Stress | Surgery |
Anxiety | Kidney disease |
Guilt | Diabetes |
Low self-esteem | Hormonal disorder |
Alcohol | Heart disease |
Smoking | High blood pressure |
Drug abuse | Obesity |
Spinal injury | |
Old age | |
Relationship Conflicts |
Risk factors
History or have medical conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Overweight problems particularly obesity
Drugs, alcohol and tobacco use
Long/short medications such as antidepressants, high blood pressure, and antihistamines
Psychological conditions e.g., depression
Injuries especially on your pelvic area
Medical treatments include radiation therapy.
Complications
Inability to become a father naturally with sexual intercourse.
Relationship breakups
Low self-worth
Marital discord
Feeling depressed
Countable or no sexual relationship
Prevention
Quit habits like smoking
Exercise regularly. Some of the activities that can help with erectile dysfunction include; aerobic exercises, which are suitable for increasing blood flow and overall health.
Yoga is also suitable for relaxing your mind and body, and a study shows 65 men aged between 24 and 60 years of age found their sexual function increasing significantly after 12 weeks program.
Kegel exercises are also highly recommendable as they strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
You can eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. Also, avoid or limit consumption of alcohol-based foods, red meat, foods that are high in fat, processed sugars, etc.
Control or have a check-up to monitor diabetes and blood sugar levels.
Reduce stress or avoid things that will bring about a negative impact on your feelings or life.
Tests
Physical exams and medical history work best for many people. Your doctor can easily diagonalize the potential causes of ED through them and recommend a treatment that will suit you.
Some of the tests are:
Blood samples. Sample of your blood is taken for tests to check conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and other cardiovascular conditions
A physical examination to examine your penis and testicles. Also, your doctor will check your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs. A rectal exam can be performed as well for further investigation.
Ultrasound. To examine blood vessels of your penis to check whether there could be blood flow issues.
History. You might be asked lots of questions by a urologist to determine whether you could be depressed or have possible psychological problems causing ED.
Treatments
You should know that treatment plans differ depending on your condition, ie, whether severe or caused by health conditions, or of components of sexual functions affected. Eg, a man, has three components. So you could be suffering from either of them ie, could be you’re suffering from the libido, organism, or inability to maintain an erection.
Some of the treatments include:
The oral medication, which might consist of taking Viagra, Avanafil, or Vardenafil. This can be the most effective way to solve the problem for the majority of men.
Self-injection administering. An injection administered into the side of the penis with alprostadil. You can do this on your own, but you should give the first shot in your doctors’ presence.
Surgery or implants or penis pumps is another option if the medicines fail or are not effective. Surgical treatment includes penile implant or vascular surgery.
Counseling. A type of treatment that usually administered to men suffering from depression, stress, or even anxiety. Your doctor will or might advise you and sometimes with your partner on visiting a counselor or psychologist.
Important things to note:
ED is not a death sentence, no matter what condition you’re in, its always treatable through various medications. You should
Talk or have your partner involved. Reassuring your partner that your condition or inability to have an erection is not a diminished sexual interest can help a lot. Recovery will be much easier if you both get involved.
ED is not a long term problem. Don’t take it too deep by always viewing erection problems as a non-ending issue. And again, don’t think of having a negative encounter during your next sexual meeting as it might lead you to stress and depression. Try and be positive.
Be aware of while buying these medicines. According to food and drug administration (FDA), many drugs or dietary supplements that claim to treat ED are not what they seem to be. Most of them don’t have a description listed on the label. Be careful.
Bottom line
Erectile dysfunction is treatable, and there are multiple choices you can choose. Go ahead and try the above options. Some work pretty well while combined; for example, massage can pair well with Viagra.
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