Saturday 14 May 2016

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION


Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse.


Having erection trouble from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection also can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease down the road. In practice, I have had to dispense medications to patients suffering from ED and it is not restricted to the elderly, a guy once told me vigor chocolate is his everyday therapy and he is not even thirty.

Symptoms of Impotence 

The main symptom of impotence is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection. This is temporary in most cases. However, impotence can have a negative effect on sex life. This happens when a man is unable to maintain an erection long enough to continue sexual intercourse. Psychological symptoms may occur if a man feels he isn’t satisfying his partner. These symptoms include low self-esteem and depression. These can cause impotence to become worse.

Causes of Impotence 

All men will experience impotence at some point in their life. It may result from a physical cause or a psychological cause. Sometimes, both physical and psychological issues can cause impotence. 

The most common causes include: 

·         an overconsumption of alcohol

·         stress

·         fatigue

·         anxiety

Although impotence can affect younger men, it’s more prevalent in middle-aged and older adult men. Researchers believe that stress plays a major role in age-related impotence cases.

One of the most common age-related causes of impotence is atherosclerosis. This condition is caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries. The buildup makes it difficult for blood to flow to the rest of the body. The lack of blood flow to the penis can cause impotence. This is why impotence is the number one sign of atherosclerosis in men. 

Other physical causes for impotence in older adult men include: 

·         diabetes

·         obesity

·         thyroid problems

·         kidney issues

·         sleep disorders

·         blood vessel damage

·         nerve damage

·         high blood pressure

·         high cholesterol

·         low testosterone

·         pelvic or spinal cord trauma or surgery

·         tobacco use

·         alcoholism

·         certain prescription medications, including antidepressants and diuretics 

Aside from physical causes, various psychological issues can cause impotence in middle-aged and older adult men. These may include: 

·         depression

·         anxiety

·         stress

·         relationship problems

Diagnosing Impotence

Your doctor may be able to diagnose impotence by taking a medical history and performing a physical examination. Make sure to discuss any medical conditions that you may have with your doctor. Sharing your medical history with your doctor can help them determine the cause of your impotence. It’s also important to let your doctor know if you’re taking any medication. Tell them the name of the medication, how much you take, and when you began taking it. Also notify your doctor if you first experienced impotence after taking a certain medication. 

During the physical examination, your doctor will visually inspect your penis for any external causes for your impotence. External causes can include trauma or lesions from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

If your doctor suspects there’s an underlying cause to your condition, they will perform various tests. For example, your doctor will order a blood test to check your blood glucose levels. This will show them if diabetes is to blame. Other tests may include:

·         blood tests to check for low testosterone levels, lipid levels, and other conditions

·         ECG (electrocardiogram) to detect any heart issues

·         ultrasound to look for problems with blood flow

·         urine test to determine blood sugar levels

Treating Impotence

Once the underlying cause for impotence is treated, the impotence usually subsides. There are several oral medications that can help treat impotence. These include sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis). They’re designed to help men achieve or maintain an erection. However, men with serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, can’t take these medications. Men who are taking certain medications should also avoid them. Natural supplements such as MACA MAN,REVIVE are available in local pharmacies and supplements shop in Nigeria.
Your doctor may suggest other treatment options if you can’t take oral medications for impotence. These alternatives include mechanical aids, such as a penis pump or a penile implant. Your doctor will explain how to use these devices.
Impotence may also be a result of lifestyle choices, so you may want to consider making changes to your lifestyle. These changes include: 

·         quitting smoking

·         avoiding illegal drug use

·         reducing alcohol consumption

·         exercising at least three times per week

·         maintaining a healthy weight 

Aside from helping to prevent impotence, these lifestyle adjustments can also reduce the risk of future health complications. 

Stress relief methods, such as meditation and therapy, may also be useful in treating impotence caused by stress. Make sure you get plenty of sleep and exercise to reverse stress-related impotence.

 

2 comments:

  1. Dear Pharm,
    Thanks for this brilliant piece. However, my question is, what medical condition do we classify a male who doesn't last long in the first round of intercourse? Is there any known treatment for this case?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your question, not being able to sustain an erection for long is also a symptom of Erectile dysfunction, and there are treatments for it.

      Delete