Do you suffer from erectile dysfunction or know someone who does? Most men tend to judge themselves very harshly when they don’t meet the expected performance standard in their sex life. This fear of not being able to perform well becomes a big nightmare for most men.
Generally, erectile dysfunction is a condition in which a man is unable to maintain or achieve an erection when having sex. This leaves most men feeling ashamed and useless as failure in bed is looked upon by many as the worst thing that can happen to a man. If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, do not be hard on yourself as it is rather common condition among men. Besides, there are many effective treatment options for the condition. So don’t bottle up your problem. Consulting your local doctor about the problem should be the first step towards getting help.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
There are several factors that may increase your risk of erectile dysfunction. It can be triggered by a health condition, chronic fatigue, performance anxiety, high stress levels, relationship/emotional problems, drugs, alcohol consumption, smoking and others. These problems can hinder the normal functioning of your body, and achieving an erection involves coordination between the hormones, brain, nerves, muscles and blood vessels.
There are more than a few treatment options that include medications, non-invasive options like vacuum pumps, natural approaches as well as surgery and implants for severe cases of ED.
Why Should You See a Doctor?
Erectile dysfunction may be a sign of underlying health problems; therefore it is of utmost importance to visit your doctor once you notice any signs of ED. If you suffer from a heart condition, you can take the necessary measures to improve your cardiovascular health that may in turn improve your performance. This process may involve reducing your weight, lowering your cholesterol, exercising and taking medications to clear clots in your blood vessels.
The doctor plays an important role in diagnosing the root cause of your ED and prescribes medications after he/she rules out health issues as the cause of your ED. Occasional cases of ED can happen even to absolutely healthy men. You can be diagnosed with erectile dysfunction if the condition persists regularly.
Your doctor might also suggest attending counseling sessions if your erectile dysfunction is caused by anxiety, depression or high stress levels. In some cases, however, erectile dysfunction can be an early indicator of life threatening conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Hence an early visit to the doctor can be the difference between life and death.
Common Medications Used to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
There are many medications that can be used to treat erectile dysfunction in most men. Some most popular examples are Cialis, Viagra, Levitra and Kamagra among others. Although these drugs contain different active ingredients, they all fit under the same class – PDE5 inhibitors. The common PDE5 inhibitors are:
– Tadalafil (Cialis).
– Sildenafil (Viagra and Kamagra).
– Vardenafil (Levitra).
The above medicines improve nitric oxide effects, which is a natural chemical produced in the body to relax muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow to the penis allowing you to have an erection. Sexual stimulation is needed, though, for these drugs to start working as they don’t act like aphrodisiacs. This is because the medications are meant to amplify the production of nitric oxide to help you get an erection in the natural way. So if you do not suffer from ED, you do not need to take these drugs.
The dosages of these medications vary depending on a particular PDE5 inhibitor and the severity of the condition. Sometimes the ED drugs can cause side effects in men. Some of these side effects include consistent headaches, blurry images, dizziness, nasal congestion, stomach upsets, facial flushing and others. It is important to keep in mind that if you suffer from uncontrolled diabetes, low or high blood pressure or stroke, you should not take these erectile dysfunction medications.
Other Treatment Methods Used
There are several other ways that you can use to treat erectile dysfunction without using medication. These methods include, taking nutritional supplements that are recommended by your doctor, herbal remedies, talk therapy and even acupuncture. Also, men who have low levels of zinc can take zinc supplements to increase their sexual performance.
Conclusion
Erectile dysfunction is a common condition for many men in the world today. It can manifest at any age depending on the underlying cause of the problem and overall health. It is important to check with your doctor immediately as you notice any adverse symptoms. Erectile dysfunction is a treatable condition with the right medication as seen in the above article. So you can consult your doctor and find out what will work for you the best way.