What causes erectile dysfunction (ED)?
by Admin
Posted on 04-03-2023 12:24 PM
erectile dysfunction
, also sometimes called impotence, is when a man cannot achieve or maintain an erection for satisfactory sex.
Erectile dysfunction can limit your intimacy, affect self-esteem, and impact your relationship with your partner. Watch dr. Lowentritt of chesapeake urology discuss erectile dysfunction in this video.
There’s certainly no shortage of medications, supplements, and herbal remedies that claim to boost testosterone levels and sex drive. Especially if you have been recently experiencing performance issues in the bedroom, you might even be considering some of these alternatives. But there’s a lot more to sexual health than just stamina or performance. If someone experiences difficulty having an erection, many of these products (despite their spectacular claims) are rarely effective, particularly when a more direct and scientifically researched treatment is needed to treat issues like erectile dysfunction. Here, we break down seven of the best ed medications and everything you need to know about taking them.
Dr. Gittens is a leader in the field of the treatment for erectile dysfunction. He is a urologist trained and specializing in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. At our centers in philadelphia and new york- dr. Gittens believes in treating your erectile dysfunction quickly and privately. He attempts to get back your natural erections or take you a step up from where you are with our regenerative e. D. Programs by using the latests and most advanced therapies.
For many people, a physical exam and answering questions (medical history) are all that's needed for a doctor to diagnose erectile dysfunction and recommend a treatment. If you have chronic health conditions or your doctor suspects that an underlying condition might be involved, you might need further tests or a consultation with a specialist. Tests for underlying conditions might include: physical exam. This might include careful examination of your penis and testicles and checking your nerves for sensation. Blood tests. A sample of your blood might be sent to a lab to check for signs of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels and other health conditions.
What medications could cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Erectile dysfunction (ed) is defined as “recurrent and persistent inability, partial or complete, to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse in the presence of proper erotic stimuli”; the concept of ed replaced the previous definition of “impotence” [ 1 ]. Ed should be considered a social problem with the potential to affect men of all ages and ethnicities and have a significant impact on the quality of life (qol) of both the patient and his partner [ 2 ]. Epidemiological data estimate a prevalence of ed between 14% and 48%.
The width of this range is probably due to methodological differences between studies regarding age and socio-economic status [ 3 ].
Oral medications are a successful erectile dysfunction treatment for many men. They include: sildenafil (viagra) vardenafil (levitra, staxyn) avanafil (stendra) all four medications enhance the effects of nitric oxide — a natural chemical your body produces that relaxes muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow and allows you to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation. Taking one of these tablets will not automatically produce an erection. Sexual stimulation is needed first to cause the release of nitric oxide from your penile nerves. These medications amplify that signal, allowing normal penile function in some people. Oral erectile dysfunction medications are not aphrodisiacs, will not cause excitement and are not needed in people who get normal erections.
Lindsay a. Courtney, pharmd, bcacp, bcps assistant professor, department of pharmacy practice texas tech university health sciences center jerry h. Hodge school of pharmacy amarillo, texas us pharm. 2022;47(6):18-22. Abstract: erectile dysfunction (ed) is a common urologic condition that causes distress in men. Risk factors and predictors for ed include age, cardiovascular disease (cvd), hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and certain medications. Cvd and ed share several risk factors, and ed may be a predictor of future cardiovascular events. Lifestyle modifications and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (pde5is) are considered first-line therapies for ed. Pde5is can be less effective in patients with diabetes and should be used cautiously in certain patients with cvd.
The medications vary in dosage, how long they work and side effects. Possible side effects include flushing, nasal congestion, headache, visual changes, backache and stomach upset. Your doctor will consider your particular situation to determine which medication might work best. These medications might not treat your erectile dysfunction immediately. You might need to work with your doctor to find the right medication and dosage for you. Before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction, including over-the-counter supplements and herbal remedies, get your doctor's ok. Medications for erectile dysfunction do not work in everyone and might be less effective in certain conditions, such as after prostate surgery or if you have diabetes.
What prescription drugs may cause erectile dysfunction?
Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction usually begins with the doctor taking your medical and sexual history, asking questions about how often you experience symptoms, your general physical and emotional state, and any drugs you’re currently taking that might cause erectile dysfunction. This will be followed by a physical exam and routine blood and urine tests that, among other things, can check your level of male hormones, cholesterol, blood sugar, and liver, kidney and thyroid function. The physical exam could include an examination of your prostate (called a digital rectal exam or dre) in which the doctor physically feels the size, shape, and consistency of your prostate by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum.
52% of men ages 40-70 experience some form of erectile dysfunction in their life (feldman, 1999). Erectile dysfunction (ed) is the inability to get or maintain an erection. It happens to millions of men at all ages. But there’s good news! ed isn’t the end of your sex life. We can help with clinically proven prescription treatment available online.
Drugs for treating erectile dysfunction can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis, or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. The most commonly known drugs on the market today are viagra®, cialis® and levitra®.
In a study published in 2016, based on us health insurance claims data, out of 19,833,939 us males aged ≥18 years, only 1,108,842 (5. 6%), were medically diagnosed with erectile dysfunction or on a pde5i prescription (μ age 55. 2 years, σ 11. 2 years). Prevalence of diagnosis or prescription was the highest for age group 60–69 at 11. 5%, lowest for age group 18–29 at 0. 4%, and 2. 1% for 30–39, 5. 7% for 40–49, 10% for 50–59, 11% for 70–79, 4. 6% for 80–89, 0. 9% for ≥90, respectively.
Health problems increase your risk of erectile dysfunction. For example, you’re more than twice as likely to have erectile dysfunction if you have diabetes than if you don’t. Other health problems that increase your risk of erectile dysfunction are: parkinson’s disease some medications (e. G. Antidepressants, blood pressure-lowering drugs) some recreational drugs (e. G. Nicotine, heroin) psychological factors like depression or anxiety, or relationship problems.
Ed can have physical or psychological causes, and occasionally a combination of both. The causes of ed may include: health conditions: diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol and other conditions can affect blood flow to the penis and contribute to ed. Medications: drugs prescribed for high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and other mental health problems can cause erectile dysfunction. Lifestyle: smoking, excessive drinking, drug use and diet can also contribute to ed. Psychological conditions: stress, anxiety, depression and relationship problems can all cause or worsen ed. Managing other health conditions and making the necessary lifestyle changes are important to help overcome erectile dysfunction.
Effectively treating ed is highly dependent on finding the root cause of the disorder. Some providers use a questionnaire to supplement their medical history and physical exam. Questionnaires may rate your ability to initiate and keep erections, gauge your satisfaction with sex, and help identify any problems with orgasm. Your healthcare provider may also order blood tests and collect a urine sample to look for health problems that may cause ed. Gathering this information will help your provider determine the best and most specific treatments for your erectile dysfunction. If the root of your ed is physical, your doctor or another healthcare provider may point out certain lifestyle-related risk factors like smoking or an unhealthy diet that you can change.