What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection. A condition that prevents a man from having sex or ending sex. This condition was once called impotence. ED can occur at any age, but it is more common in men over the age of 75.
ED is not necessarily a part of getting older. As a man ages, he may need more stimulation (stroking and touching) to achieve an erection. He may also need more time between erections. Older men can still get an erection and enjoy sex.
Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
The main symptom of ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual intercourse.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by:
- Diabetes (high blood sugar)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
- Stress, anxiety or depression
- Use of alcohol and tobacco
- Certain prescription drugs. This includes antidepressants, pain relievers, and high blood pressure medications
- Tired
- Brain or spinal cord injury
- Hypogonadism (a condition that results in low levels of the male hormone, testosterone)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson disease
- Testicular radiation therapy
- Stroke
- Certain types of prostate or bladder surgery
Problems in your relationship with your partner can also cause erectile dysfunction. Improving your relationship can help your sex life. If you decide to seek therapy, it will probably work best with your partner included.
Couples can learn new ways to please each other and show affection. This can reduce anxiety about getting an erection.
Several sensations can lead to erectile dysfunction, including:
- Feeling anxious about sex. This could be due to a bad experience or previous episode of ED.
- Feeling stressed, including work and family stress.
- Feel the pressure.
- Feel self-conscious about your body or performance.
- Think your partner is reacting negatively to you.
How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?
ED is usually easy to diagnose. If you want to self-diagnose, talk to your doctor. They’ll want to make sure it’s not related to another health condition.
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. They may do blood or urine tests. Your doctor may consider other tests to rule out other conditions.
Can erectile dysfunction be prevented or avoided?
This depends on whether you know what’s causing your ED. There are several things you can do to help prevent ED, including:
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol, smoking or abusing drugs.
- Ask your doctor if ED is a side effect of a new or current medication you’re taking. The person may have an alternative medicine.
- Control your blood sugar and blood pressure.
- Try to relax and avoid stress.
Treating Erectile Dysfunction
Treatment depends on what’s causing it. If it’s from uncontrolled blood sugar and high blood pressure, take your medication and follow your doctor’s instructions.
If your doctor rules out other causes, they may prescribe Sildenafil (brand name: Viagra), tadalafil (brand name Cialis), and vardenafil (brand name Levitra). These drugs are taken by mouth to help you maintain an erection.
Not everyone can use these drugs. Your doctor can talk to you about alprostadil if oral medication is not an option for you. Alprostadil is a synthetic version of prostaglandin E. It can be injected into the penis or inserted into the urethra (the opening at the end of the penis) as a small suppository. Your doctor will help you decide which treatment is best for you.
Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking ED medications. Typically, men take 1 pill 30 minutes to 1 hour before planning to have sex. Sildenafil is effective for 4-8 hours; vardenafil is effective for up to 8 hours; and tadalafil is effective for up to 36 hours.
You should not take more than 1 dose in 24 hours. Tadalafil and vardenafil are available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. Sildenafil comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets.
Even if you take the drug, you still need physical and mental stimulation and desire to get an erection. If your first dose does not help, call your doctor. Your doctor may want to change your tablet strength.
The side effects of ED drugs are mostly the same. Sildenafil and vardenafil can cause:
- Headache
- Flushing (face and upper body turn red and hot)
- stomachache
- Snivel
- Visibility changes (everything looks blue)
Tadalafil has similar side effects, except for flushing and possible vision changes. It can also cause back pain and muscle pain. For each drug, headache was the most common side effect. Vision changes are the least common. Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you.
Call your doctor right away if you take one of these medicines and have an erection that lasts for 4 hours or longer. This condition can cause permanent impotence if left untreated.
Can people use ED drugs?
You should not use these medicines if you take nitroglycerin or any other nitrate to treat chest pain. If you have heart problems, tell your doctor before taking any ED medication. These drugs can have serious side effects in people with heart problems.
If you use sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil and have chest pain, be sure to tell the medical staff, nurse, or doctor at the hospital that you use it and the last time you used it.
Living with Erectile Dysfunction
If medication doesn’t work for you, you can try penile implants, a vacuum pump device, or surgery. Your doctor may send you to a urologist to talk about these options.