Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra, Cialis and Other Oral Medications
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is one of the most common male sexual problems. It occurs when there is trouble keeping or even getting an erection.
It is normal to have erection problems from time to time, but there may be an underlying cause if it happens too often. Erectile dysfunction usually results in stress, changes in male self-perception and relationship problems. Fortunately, today there are several treatment options to restore your erection and confidence.
It is normal to have erection problems from time to time, but there may be an underlying cause if it happens too often. Erectile dysfunction usually results in stress, changes in male self-perception and relationship problems. Fortunately, today there are several treatment options to restore your erection and confidence.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a medical condition in which you cannot get or maintain an erection firm enough to have satisfactory sexual intercourse.
This condition negatively affects a man's sex life and impairs his confidence and quality of life. s
What Is The Main Cause Of Erectile Dysfunction?
Usually, an erection occurs through neurological interactions and blood flow, which can be influenced by psychological and hormonal factors; it responds to visual, audible, olfactory, tactile stimuli, thoughts and fantasies.
Erectile dysfunction is a condition produced by multiple factors, and its causes are very different, ranging from psychological to medications.
It can be organic or psychogenic, depending on its causes. The former is related to actual changes in the penis or in the involved tissues in the erection process. The opposite happens in the second, where there is no evident alteration and the problems are generally due to mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, or stress.
The causes leading to changes in the organic ED may be:
Vascular
This is the most prevalent of all. The penis cannot get blood for an erection, generally because it does not arrive enough. Smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, some heart diseases, and high blood cholesterol can cause vascular disorders that make erection difficult
Neurological
There is an interruption of brain messages going to the penis due to nerve injury. This occurs with spinal cord lesions, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or after pelvic surgery.
Hormonal
These are rare and are usually due to a lack of male sex hormones.
Pharmacological
There are several drugs with the side effect of decreasing erectile function. Among them are medications to treat hypertension, heart disease and psychiatric disorders.
Other causes can be treatments for prostate cancer or prostate enlargement, alcohol abuse and Peyronie's disease: development of scar tissue inside the penis.
Ageing is also a cause. Due to ageing-related changes in the penis and hormonal alterations, such as decreased elastic and collagen type iii fibers, reduced testosterone levels, and loss of sensitivity, the older adult requires increasingly intense and sustained stimulation for arousal.
At What Age Does A Man Stop Getting Hard?
Science shows that erectile dysfunction is joint among older men, with sexual function declining considerably after the 50s. Likewise, many men may suffer from erectile dysfunction in their youth, just as others do not suffer from it in the elderly.
Risk Factors
As you age, erections may take longer to develop and may not be as firm. This is natural and is part of the ageing process.
However, several risk factors can speed up erectile dysfunction, such as:
- Illness, especially diabetes or heart disease.
- Tobacco use. It restricts blood flow to the veins and arteries; over time, it can cause chronic diseases leading to erectile dysfunction.
- Overweight.
- Specific medical treatments, such as prostate surgery or cancer radiation therapy.
- Injuries, particularly if they damage the nerves or arteries involved in erections.
- Medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and those to treat high blood pressure, pain, or prostate diseases.
- Psychological disorders, such as stress, anxiety, or depression .
- Alcohol and drug use, especially if you are a long-time drug user or heavy drinker.
As you will see, this condition is often related to many others, and it may be a symptom rather than a disease.
How Do I Know If I Have Erectile Dysfunction?
Symptoms are what conclude whether or not you have erectile dysfunction.
Typical symptoms include:
- Being able to have an erection occasionally, but not every time you want to have sex.
- Being able to have an erection, but not for long enough to have sex.
- Not being able to have an erection at any time.
If you think you have erectile dysfunction, you must contact your medical provider to immediately start the treatment that best suits your needs.
Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Cured?
Of course. In fact, there are many treatment options available today. Don't worry; there is a cure, and we explain them in detail below.
Treatment starts first with lifestyle changes, followed by psychological help and pharmacological treatment and/or vacuum devices, and finally surgery. The drug selection should precede a rigorous medical evaluation.
The drugs used par excellence are phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors:
- Tadalafil: Sold as Cialis, it increases the penis blood flow when there is sexual stimulation. This pill should be taken 30 minutes before sexual intercourse, and its effectiveness can last up to 24 hours after intake. Side effects are generally mild such as headache, rhinitis, facial flushing or muscle aches.
- Sildenafil: Known as Viagra, it also increases the penis blood flow whenever there is sexual stimulation. It should be taken one hour before starting sexual activity, and its effect lasts up to 5 hours.
In general, the side effects of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are mild, and they all share the same: headaches, facial or body flushing, flushing and rhinitis. Other medications with the same active ingredient are vardenafil and avanafil (Spedra).
Psychological help is advised in men under 40 of age, as in these cases, the cause is usually mental. Still, even in cases due to physical problems, many men need psychological help to overcome self-esteem problems resulting from this disease.
Erectile dysfunction is an often stigmatized condition with many negative repercussions on a man's self-perception. Currently, there are many therapeutic options and preventive measures that give good results and increase the patient's quality of life, but accepting the diagnosis is a crucial part of the process.
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If you think you have erectile dysfunction, then it is time to consult a specialist since it is usually a symptom of another disease. Remember that the longer the delay in the treatment, the lower your quality of life.
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