Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Every man at some point in his life has experienced this to some extent. It becomes a condition that needs to be treated and discussed when it becomes frequent or continuous and interferes with normal sexual activities.

Erectile Dysfunction (impotence) is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. It can range from mild to severe.” A man with mild Erectile Dysfunction may occasionally achieve a full erection, but more often he achieves an erection that is inadequate for penetration. He may frequently be unable to achieve an erection at all. A man with severe erectile dysfunction is rarely able to achieve an erection.

Erectile Dysfunction becomes more common with age but is not part of the normal aging process. About half of men 65 years of age and three fourths of men 80 years of age have erectile dysfunction.” ¹

Diseases and disorders such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, or a blood clot that narrow arteries and decrease blood inflow are the leading cause for ED. Also surgery on the blood vessels can cause Erectile Dysfunction along with abnormalities in the veins of the penis that allow the blood to flow backwards into the body so rapidly that an erection can not be adequately sustained even though there is sufficient blood flood.

Surgeries such as prostate, back or spine surgery, and other diseases such as spinal disease, multiple sclerosis, and peripheral nerve disorders can cause the ED to be a neurological problem. The nerves leading to or from the penis could be damaged with the surgical procedure. Drug abuse and excessive alcohol consumption effects blood flow and can also be a contributing factor to ED. Stroke and occasionally a low testosterone level or hormone imbalance can be a cause of ED. Also, a man’s energy level can affect an ability to sustain a full erection. Things such as fatigue, illness, stress and depression are some of the more common causes. “Many drugs can interfere with the ability to achieve an erection, especially among older men. Drugs that commonly cause erectile dysfunction include Antihypertensives, Antidepressants, some Sedatives, Cimetidine (Tagamet), Digoxin (Lanoxin), Lithium (Lithane, Lithonate) and Antipsychotics.

Psychological issues (such as depression, performance anxiety, guilt, fear of intimacy, and ambivalence about sexual orientation) can impair the ability to achieve erections. Psychological causes are more common in younger men. Any new stressful situation, such as a change of sex partners or problems with relationships or at work, can also contribute.” ²

If you are concerned with ED and suspect that the issue is a physical problem you need to speak with your physician. They will do blood test to check hormone levels, may also assess the function of the nerves and blood vessels that supply the genitals. Your physician will do a complete physical exam. If needed, he can prescribe medication that can help with correction of the problem. From time to time he may even refer your to a counselor so that you can discuss any issues that you are having in your life. Viagra is on of the most common drugs prescribed to treat ED and the very first pill approved by the FDA in March 1998. It increases the frequency and rigidity of erections within 30 to 60 minutes; erections last about 10 to 30 minutes. The drug is effective only when the man is sexually aroused. As with any drugs, there are possible side effects and counter indications for use of the drug. Some of the more common side effects include headache, flushing, runny nose, upset stomach, and vision problems. If you have a heart problem or blood pressure issues make sure to speak with your doctor about these issues since this drug can interact with certain medications and cause dangerously low blood pressure.

Some other drugs that have been prescribed to treat ED include, Cialis and Levitra Regitine, Yocon, Testosterone, Caverject (a pellet suppository placed into the urethra of the penis or an actual injection).

Other options for treatment of ED are penile implant and/or surgery. Surgery to correct blood vessels around the penis that constrict or impact the blood flow can work for some men. Some men choose to have a mechanical device (implant) inserted. This works with a small pump that actually forced the penis to enlarge. Draw back to this are if the mechanism malfunctions a surgery is required to replace or repair the device, and there is a risk of infection. Vacuum pumps and constriction devices do work well for some men with minor ED. Vacuum pumps can cause extensive bruising from time to time.

The thing to remember is the ED is treatable no matter what age you are. And ED can affect any man at any age!

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Although Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are the best known drugs for treatment of ED, this article is not endorsing any one drug or device over another. It is important that you speak openly and honestly with your health care professional.

“July 11, 2005—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the makers of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra to add new warnings about rare cases of sudden vision loss. A recent study also noted these vision problems, known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), in seven men who had taken Viagra.

The agency is advising patients to stop taking these medicines or call a doctor or right away if they experience sudden or decreased vision loss in one or both eyes. In a statement, the agency said that a small number of men lost their sight some time after taking Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. "It is not possible to determine whether these oral medicines for Erectile Dysfunction were the cause of the loss of eyesight or whether the problem is related to other factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes or to a combination of these problems," the FDA said." ³

3. 1995-2006 ScienceDaily LLC, Is There a Link Between Viagra and Blindness?, Eric Sabo, Science Daily