Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction, another disorder of the penis, is more commonly referred to as impotence. More specifically, Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to create and maintain an erection that can be used during sex.
Erectile Dysfunction can lead to low self-esteem, increased stress and anxiety, infertility, and even relationship problems. While an awkward topic of conversation, Erectile Dysfunction can lead to psychological problems, medical problems, and relationship problems, and it is important that it not go untreated.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
Although it may seem strange, the most common causes of Erectile Dysfunction have little to do with the penis itself. Most of the causes relate to the health of the person experiencing the disorder.
Some common causes of Erectile Dysfunction are the following:
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Parkinson's Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Low Testosterone
- Peyronie's Disease
- Smoking
- Medications
- Alcohol or Drug Abuse
- Treatments for cancer
- Surgeries that affect the pelvic area or spine
Additionally, there are psychological causes for this disorder such as the following:
- Depression
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Relationship Problems
- Anxiety
How Do I Know If I Have Erectile Dysfunction?
The symptoms of this disorder are seemingly obvious. If you are having problems getting an erection or keeping an erection, then you probably have Erectile Dysfunction. However, it also depends on how frequently this scenario happens to you. An occasional erection problem does not indicate the disorder is present, but a repeated issue with erections would.
Additionally, most patients diagnosed with Erectile Dysfunction noted that they experienced a severe decrease in sexual desire.
How is Erectile Dysfunction Treated?
Often, a physical examination is required before this disorder can be determined. Your physician might require blood tests, urine tests, an overnight erection test, or even an ultrasound to get to the root of the problem.
Once you have been diagnosed with Erectile Dysfunction, there are numerous options for treatment. The following are the most common treatments for this disorder:
- Medications - Viagra, Cialis, Levitra
- Alprostadil injection
- Alprostadil penis suppository
- Testosterone
- Surgery
- Implants
- Penis pumps
- Counseling
Essentially, it's important to know what is causing this disorder to be able to treat it best. In addition to the remedies that doctors may suggest, there are many lifestyle changes that can be made to correct this disorder. The following is a list of things that you can do at home to prevent this disorder:
- Lose Weight
- Exercise
- Quit Smoking
- Treat Drug or Alcohol Problems
- Acupuncture
The psychological component of this disease is probably the most damaging. It's extremely important to have a plan in place for coping with this disorder. The most important thing to note is that this disease does not have to be long-term. It can be treated and corrected, and you can then continue to have a thriving and healthy sex life.
By talking to your sexual partner, as well as proceeding with counseling, it is fully possible to recover from this disorder both physically and mentally. While it can be damaging to the self-esteem, it is important to look to the future and stay positive throughout this situation. Additionally, taking care of yourself and your health is a great way to prevent this issue from occurring or reoccurring.
