Erectile Dysfunction (ED) 

What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?

When a man is unable to gain or keep an erection necessary for a full sex life, this is known as Erectile Dysfunction (ED). It is a common condition affecting men of all ages but is more prevalent with increasing age.

Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms

ED symptoms differ in terms of severity and the underlying causes of the problem. Common symptoms include:

• Difficulty achieving an erection – Problems with an erection, even when a man is sexually stimulated.
• Difficulty maintaining an erection – The erection is lost too soon during sexual activity.
• Reduced sexual desire – Reduced interest in sex, which is often related to psychological or hormonal issues.
• Weak or inconsistent erections – Erections that are not strong enough for penetration.
• Ejaculation issues – ED (Erectile Dysfunction) may be accompanied by premature or delayed ejaculation.

Erectile Dysfunction Causes

ED can be caused by various physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors:

Physical Causes

• Cardiovascular diseases – In cases of atherosclerosis, the reduction of blood flow is visible in the penile part.
• Diabetes – that destroys nerves and blood vessels, thus leading to ED.
• High blood pressure – it disrupts blood circulation as well as erectile function.
• Obesity – it raises the possibility of vascular disease and hormone imbalance.
• Low testosterone – hormonal imbalance can be the cause of ED.
• Neurological disorders – such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries, can disrupt nerve signals.
• Kidney disease – can mess with the chemicals in the bloodstream that are used to regulate sexual function and thus cause a problem in sexual functioning.

Psychological Causes

• Stress and anxiety, as mental health problems are generally known to affect sexual performance.
• Depression is the main culprit for sex aversion and low libido.
• Performance anxiety is the reason for ailments like ED and is a direct result of the fear of becoming a failure.
• Relationship problems are those most likely to cause emotional distress which in turn affects arousal.

Lifestyle & External Factors

• A result of smoking is the reduction of blood flow and the weakening of blood vessels as well.
• Alcohol & drug abuse is an example of what can help reduce nerve function, but at the same time decrease blood circulation.
• Sedentary lifestyle which is equal to physical inactivity creates a very negative cardiovascular health profile.
• One of the causes of ED is some of the specific medications that people take, such as some antidepressants, antihypertensives, and painkillers.

4. Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

The available treatments to determine, whether the reason for the problem is due to the extent and underlying cause of ED.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Doing physical activities regularly is one of the main ways for cardiovascular health to improve.
• Breaking diet rules, such as consumption of sugar and bad fats, in favor of a healthy diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
• Weight loss is recommended not only for decreasing the chances of diabetes but also for the protection of the cardiovascular system.
• Quit smoking, alcohol, and drugs for proper blood circulation.
• Among the different methods, stress management tactics can be relaxation techniques, yoga, or meditation.

Psychological Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – is a form of therapy that is used to treat stress and anxiety.
• Couples Therapy – This form of therapy helps couples augment their communications and enhance their intimacy.

Medical Treatments

• Oral medications– PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Stendra) – Viagra (sildenafil) Cialis (tadalafil) Levitra (vardenafil) Stendra (avanafil).
• Testosterone replacement therapy– A course of treatment follows the diagnosis of low levels of testosterone in men. – For men with low testosterone levels.
• Vacuum erection devices (VEDs) – A pump to increase blood circulation to the penis – The device, known as VED, contains a penis-size cylinder, a pump which supplies blood to the penis, and a constriction band.
• Penile injections– Alprostadil injections Dissolve the pellet in the syringe with a maximum of one-half hour. – with one aim being the boosting of the penis for an elongated erectile period.
• Surgical implants– The condition is only too severe in those cases that demand a penile prosthesis.- For a severe case of erectile dysfunction.
• Shockwave therapy– Spasmodic cellular contraction along the blood vessels not only rebuilds the efficient transfer of blood but also takes place in a non-steady state. Thus, new vessels are formed from the pre-existing cavities. – The sound waves are the primary trigger for this process, as they produce cavitation and microtrauma, i.e. they break the abnormal tissue.

Erectile Dysfunction Medications

Some most popular FDA-approved ED drugs include:

 Side Effects of ED Medications

• Headache
• Flushing
• Dizziness
• Nasal congestion
• Indigestion
• Vision changes (rare)

Erectile Dysfunction Pills

Apart from prescription ED medications, over-the-counter (OTC) supplements are available, though they lack strong scientific backing:

• L-arginine – Nitric oxide, which is an effective means of boosting blood flow, is produced through this supplement.
• DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) – This hormone supports the resistance of the body to diseases.
• Panax ginseng – This plant is often referred to as an adaptogen sex herb.
• Yohimbe – This is a natural stimulant for boosting energy, but it may have negative effects.
• Horny goat weed – One of the most well known herbal remedies; it has moderate scientific backup so far.

 Permanent Cure for Erectile Dysfunction

A permanent cure is only possible if the cause of the problem is known. Some cases might be completely and others partially fixed and dependent on various issues including physiological and psychological etiologies. However, it should be noted that the complete etiology of the problem has to be addressed for a complete cure.

• Lifestyle changes – Long-term Diet Improvement- Exercises and stress management in the long run if made will lead to long-term change in the lifestyle.
• Hormonal therapy – Is erectile dysfunction a case where a man has low testosterone? In such a case, a man will need hormonal replacement therapy.
• Revascularization surgery – Increases the flow of blood by a new attachment of grafts or embolization of a new path beside an obstruction or stenosis of the vessel.
• Stem cell therapy & PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) – Regenerating tissue with the aids of stem cell therapy and PRP growth factors is another hot topic in research.
• Gene therapy – This is the next theme for future potential erectile disorder treatment where it helps to replace the damaged cells to a new one.