Know About Erectile Dysfunction And Best ED Treatment

Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is a man’s inability to have and hold an erection after having sexual intercourse. This health condition is encountered by nearly 30 million men around the globe, and it can be a warning sign of serious illnesses like cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, it is still a taboo and most men dealing with erectile dysfunction hesitate to accept it and receive treatment. So, this article intends to share all the necessary information on erectile dysfunction.

Erectile Dysfunction: Definition

During the sexual union between a man and a woman, chemicals are released by the brain to stimulate more blood flow into the man’s penis and that’s what keeps it firm. But if the penis is limp and soft even when a person is aroused and in the middle of coitus, it is called erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction, abbreviated as ED, is a kind of penile disorder and millions of men suffer from this condition. It affects the ability of a person to maintain a firm erection while having sexual intercourse and as a man ages, his ability to perform in bed keeps decreasing gradually. While this is completely normal, having ED when you are young means something is wrong, and you should go for a check-up. Luckily, it is not that difficult to treat erectile dysfunction and better erectile function if the cause of ED can be detected.

Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

The common symptoms of erectile dysfunction include:

Reduced sexual urges
Trouble getting an erection
Trouble maintaining an erection
Requiring too much stimulation to keep the penis up

Other than the above-mentioned bodily symptoms, ED has some psychological side effects:

Low self-esteem
Distress
Depression

Erectile Dysfunction Causes

As ED can be linked to prostate cancer and heart attacks, anyone with erectile dysfunction should understand the underlying cause and go to an ED specialist. The following have been identified by doctors as the physical causes of erectile dysfunction:

High BP
Atherosclerosis (clogging of blood vessels)
Diabetes
High levels of cholesterol
Multiple sclerosis
Obesity
Parkinson’s disease
Some prescription medications
Use of tobacco
Metabolic syndrome — a medical condition that involves high levels of insulin, increased BP, high cholesterol, and accumulation of body fat around a person’s waist
Sleep disorders
Low levels of testosterone
Alcoholism/ substance abuse
Receiving treatments for enlarged prostate or prostate cancer
Scar tissue development inside the penis — a condition known as Peyronie’s disease
Injuries or operations that may have affected the spinal cord or pelvic area

Erectile Dysfunction Emotional Causes

For sex to be pleasurable, the body and mind must work in harmony. Studies have revealed that many men have erection problems for brief/ prolonged periods when they are emotionally unstable. Some emotional issues that can cause ED are:

Relationship conflicts
Work stress
Depression
Financial burdens
Anxiety
Going through a major personal crisis
Stress due to social, religious, or cultural conflicts
Worrying about performance in bed

So, if you are suddenly having issues maintaining your erection, could there be some emotional cause of ED in your case?

ED Risk Factors

It is natural to wonder which people have more risk of erectile dysfunction. The following risk factors may contribute to ED:

Being 40 years old or older
Having heart ailments or diabetes
Smoking regularly
Having a BMI (Body Mass Index) exceeding 25
Clinical depression
Lack of physical activity
Being a heavy drinker
Obesity

How Do Doctors Diagnose Erectile Dysfunction?

Your healthcare provider will ask several questions regarding your lifestyle and health history. You must remain truthful about the drugs you consume or if you drink alcohol/ smoke regularly. They would also like to know about any stressors that may cause ED.

These are the usual questions your doctor will ask:

What supplements, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription drugs have you taken recently?
How frequently do you drink alcohol?
Do you take recreational drugs?
Are you a smoker?
Do you suffer from urinary problems?
Did you ever have surgery radiation therapy or surgery in the pelvic region?
Do you have any illnesses (untreated or treated)?

Speak openly with your urologist so that they can suggest the best ED treatment options.

Doctors also perform blood tests and urine tests to diagnose ED. For instance, Nocturnal penile tumescence is an overnight test that checks one’s erection during sleep. In rare cases of cancer and trauma, pelvic X-rays such as arteriography, CT scanning, or MRI scanning are needed to check the severity of ED before commencing the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

If ED has become a bothersome problem and is affecting your emotional well-being and your conjugal life, visit an ED specialist to restore ED function.

In some situations, curing an underlying condition is the simplest kind of erection treatment. So, when it comes to treating ED, non-invasive treatment is the first preference. Treatment for erectile dysfunction can also be done through medications. These are the common treatments:

Penile implants have a great success rate.
Oral pills/ drugs (phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors, to be specific) are often given in the United States and other countries for fixing ED. These include Viagra, Stendra, Cialis, and Levitra.
If the blood tests reveal that low levels of testosterone are responsible for causing erectile dysfunction, testosterone therapy is the best ED treatment.
Penile Injections can also be effective.
Vacuum Erection Devices are among the newest treatments.
Administering intraurethral medication is another alternative treatment.

ED treatment is generally considered safe, but you should still ask your doctor about the possible side effects. For instance, treating ED in older men through penile vascular surgery or some other surgery can be critical.

Tips to Improve Erectile Function

Do cardiovascular exercises daily.
Bid adieu to smoking.
Talk to a sex therapist.
Manage chronic health conditions.
Refrain from using illegal drugs.
Address your relationship problems and mental health issues.
Some men say that using vacuum pumps helps them immensely.

The Takeaway

We may conclude by saying that male sexual dysfunction can be stressful. But you should not allow ED to affect your quality of life and mental peace. Instead of feeling shy, patients with erectile dysfunction should opt for ED treatment near me to commence the treatment for ED at the earliest. Additionally, you should eat a balanced diet, quit smoking and drinking, exercise regularly, and stay happy to improve erectile disorder.

Dr Ritu Agarwal

Dr. Ritu Agarwal is an appreciated IVF expert in Jaipur for IVF therapy, owing to her more than ten years of experience in this field. She is the top IVF specialist in Jaipur who makes every attempt to provide correct counseling and emotional support to patients in order to help them find the ideal solution for becoming parents.