Erectile Dysfunction
Labels Erectile Dysfunction
- Definition .
- What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
- What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
- How Is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?
- Treatment Options
Showing posts with label Erectile Dysfunction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Erectile Dysfunction. Show all posts
Labels Erectile Dysfunction
Definition
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition in which a man cannot
develop or maintain an erection of the penis. The condition may have
physiological, psychological, or lifestyle related causes. While many causes
are treatable and can be remedied with medication, there may be more
serious underlying health conditions present. Erectile dysfunction can cause
a great deal of emotional strain on both the patient and his partner.
develop or maintain an erection of the penis. The condition may have
physiological, psychological, or lifestyle related causes. While many causes
are treatable and can be remedied with medication, there may be more
serious underlying health conditions present. Erectile dysfunction can cause
a great deal of emotional strain on both the patient and his partner.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition that affects more than
18 million American men. Men with ED are unable to achieve and
maintain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. In order
to understand what causes ED, it is important to know how the penis
becomes erect.
Anatomy of an Erection The shaft of the penis contains several
structures that work together to make the penis erect. The corpus cavernosum
are two long, sponge-like structures that run along the length of
the penis. They contain erectile tissue, two main arteries, several veins,
and nerves. Beneath the corpus cavernosa is the urethra, the tube that
carries semen and urine to the outside of the body through the meatus,
the opening in the head at the end of the shaft.
An erection occurs due to a combination of factors, both physical and
mental. When a man becomes sexually aroused, his brain sends chemical
signals such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, prostaglandins,
and nitric oxide to the nerves inside the penis. When the nerves
receive these signals, the muscles in the penis relax and the spongy corpus
cavernosum fill with blood, causing the penis to become erect. As long
as a man continues to be aroused, the volume of blood flowing into the
penis remains high, maintaining his erection.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction Sometimes, even when a man
is sexually aroused, he may have difficulty developing an erection. Other
times, a man may achieve an erection, but it does not last long enough to
allow him to engage in sexual intercourse. Usually this happens because of
a problem with the extra blood flow that the penis needs in order to maintain
an erection. Many factors can cause ED. Sometimes, ED is caused by
psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and stress, and in other
cases, a serious underlying medical condition present.
18 million American men. Men with ED are unable to achieve and
maintain an erection long enough to have sexual intercourse. In order
to understand what causes ED, it is important to know how the penis
becomes erect.
Anatomy of an Erection The shaft of the penis contains several
structures that work together to make the penis erect. The corpus cavernosum
are two long, sponge-like structures that run along the length of
the penis. They contain erectile tissue, two main arteries, several veins,
and nerves. Beneath the corpus cavernosa is the urethra, the tube that
carries semen and urine to the outside of the body through the meatus,
the opening in the head at the end of the shaft.
An erection occurs due to a combination of factors, both physical and
mental. When a man becomes sexually aroused, his brain sends chemical
signals such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, prostaglandins,
and nitric oxide to the nerves inside the penis. When the nerves
receive these signals, the muscles in the penis relax and the spongy corpus
cavernosum fill with blood, causing the penis to become erect. As long
as a man continues to be aroused, the volume of blood flowing into the
penis remains high, maintaining his erection.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction Sometimes, even when a man
is sexually aroused, he may have difficulty developing an erection. Other
times, a man may achieve an erection, but it does not last long enough to
allow him to engage in sexual intercourse. Usually this happens because of
a problem with the extra blood flow that the penis needs in order to maintain
an erection. Many factors can cause ED. Sometimes, ED is caused by
psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and stress, and in other
cases, a serious underlying medical condition present.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
At one time, many physicians believed that erectile dysfunction was either
psychological or a natural part of aging. In the early 2000s, however,
physicians understand that ED is often linked to underlying, treatable
medical conditions. These can include heart disease, neurological issues,
psychological problems, or lifestyle-related causes. Sometimes, the medication
that a person takes may also contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Cardiovascular disease Heart disease, one of the most common
underlying medical conditions in men with ED, is the leading cause of death
among men in the United States. Heart disease as a term encompasses several
cardiovascular conditions, including coronary heart disease, arthrosclerosis,
heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and hypertensive heart disease. When
a patient is suffering from heart disease, his heart has difficulty pumping
blood to the different regions of the body, including the penis, which can
lead to erectile dysfunction. Men need to speak frankly about their condition
so that their physician can find and treat the underlying cause of ED.
Neurological causes Erections begin in the brain. After some sort
of physical or mental stimulation, the brain sends chemical signals along
the body’s nerve pathways to the penis. The muscle tissue in the penis
begins to relax and the penis fills with blood, becoming erect. For some
people who suffer from neurological conditions, these pathways become
blocked, resulting in erectile dysfunction. Neurological conditions that
can cause ED include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord
and brain injuries, Alzheimer’s (ALTS-hy-merz) disease and stroke.
Psychological causes About 10 to 20 percent of all ED cases are
related to psychological disorders. Because many of these are treatable,
it is important for patients to discuss any emotional concerns they have
with their physician. Often, therapy and/or medication may be helpful in
resolving ED in these patients. Some common psychological causes of ED
include stress, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and panic disorder.
The issues may be related to sexual abuse or trauma, as well.
Pharmaceutical and Lifestyle Causes Sometimes, the use of
different prescription and over-the-counter medications may be directly
related to ED. Many of these medications contain ingredients that can
interrupt blood flow or nerve impulses. Drug classes that may lead to ED
include diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, antidepressant medications,
anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, and certain prostate cancer
drugs. It is important for men to discuss with their doctors other medications
that they are taking.
Lifestyle choices that may lead to ED include obesity and the abuse
of alcohol and recreational drugs.
psychological or a natural part of aging. In the early 2000s, however,
physicians understand that ED is often linked to underlying, treatable
medical conditions. These can include heart disease, neurological issues,
psychological problems, or lifestyle-related causes. Sometimes, the medication
that a person takes may also contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Cardiovascular disease Heart disease, one of the most common
underlying medical conditions in men with ED, is the leading cause of death
among men in the United States. Heart disease as a term encompasses several
cardiovascular conditions, including coronary heart disease, arthrosclerosis,
heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and hypertensive heart disease. When
a patient is suffering from heart disease, his heart has difficulty pumping
blood to the different regions of the body, including the penis, which can
lead to erectile dysfunction. Men need to speak frankly about their condition
so that their physician can find and treat the underlying cause of ED.
Neurological causes Erections begin in the brain. After some sort
of physical or mental stimulation, the brain sends chemical signals along
the body’s nerve pathways to the penis. The muscle tissue in the penis
begins to relax and the penis fills with blood, becoming erect. For some
people who suffer from neurological conditions, these pathways become
blocked, resulting in erectile dysfunction. Neurological conditions that
can cause ED include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord
and brain injuries, Alzheimer’s (ALTS-hy-merz) disease and stroke.
Psychological causes About 10 to 20 percent of all ED cases are
related to psychological disorders. Because many of these are treatable,
it is important for patients to discuss any emotional concerns they have
with their physician. Often, therapy and/or medication may be helpful in
resolving ED in these patients. Some common psychological causes of ED
include stress, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and panic disorder.
The issues may be related to sexual abuse or trauma, as well.
Pharmaceutical and Lifestyle Causes Sometimes, the use of
different prescription and over-the-counter medications may be directly
related to ED. Many of these medications contain ingredients that can
interrupt blood flow or nerve impulses. Drug classes that may lead to ED
include diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, antidepressant medications,
anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, and certain prostate cancer
drugs. It is important for men to discuss with their doctors other medications
that they are taking.
Lifestyle choices that may lead to ED include obesity and the abuse
of alcohol and recreational drugs.
How Is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?
Most men have sexual performance problems some of the time. However,
men who find it difficult to develop or maintain an erection at least
50 ercent of the time are considered to have ED. Erectile dysfunction can
affect a man’s relationships, his self-esteem, and many other aspects of his
life. Sometimes, a physician will refer men with ED to a urologist who
specializes in the condition and its many treatments.
men who find it difficult to develop or maintain an erection at least
50 ercent of the time are considered to have ED. Erectile dysfunction can
affect a man’s relationships, his self-esteem, and many other aspects of his
life. Sometimes, a physician will refer men with ED to a urologist who
specializes in the condition and its many treatments.
Treatment Options
Fortunately, there are many treatments available for men with ED. The
treatment options range from simple to invasive, and with the guidance of
a physician, each individual must choose the option that is best for him.
that claim to cure ED. The FDA warns men against purchasing these
products, as they may contain ingredients that can be harmful. While it
has been suggested that certain herbal treatments can be helpful in the
treatment of ED, there has not been enough research as of 2009 into these
claims to prove or disprove them. It is up to each individual to discuss the
pros and cons of the various available treatments with his physician and
choose the one that suits his needs.
treatment options range from simple to invasive, and with the guidance of
a physician, each individual must choose the option that is best for him.
- In some cases, simple changes in lifestyle may resolve ED. Diet
and exercise, stress reduction techniques, and avoidance of alcohol
and drugs are all positive changes that can lead to more frequent and
lasting erections. - ED medications such as sildenafil citrate (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis),
and vardenafil (Levitra) work by helping the muscles and vessels
in the penis to relax so that more blood can flow to them, which
allows the penis to become erect. These drugs have been successful
in treating ED for many men, but they can be dangerous when
combined with other medications and should only be used according
to the directions given by a physician. - Certain sexual aids can be helpful in achieving and maintaining
erections. A penis pump works by creating a vacuum around the
penis that encourages increased blood flow, allowing an erection.
Once an erection develops, a penis ring can be placed at the base of
the shaft to maintain the erection by preventing the flow of blood
back out of the penis. - Surgical intervention is also an option for men with ED. One type
of surgical intervention involves the placement of a flexible rod in
the penis that can be unfolded, making the penis erect and able to
engage in sexual intercourse. Another option is the implantation of
fluid filled sacs that can be pumped up to create an erection.
that claim to cure ED. The FDA warns men against purchasing these
products, as they may contain ingredients that can be harmful. While it
has been suggested that certain herbal treatments can be helpful in the
treatment of ED, there has not been enough research as of 2009 into these
claims to prove or disprove them. It is up to each individual to discuss the
pros and cons of the various available treatments with his physician and
choose the one that suits his needs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)