Erectile
Dysfunction Consultation & Treatments
Erectile dysfunction
(ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection
for sexual intercourse. It’s estimated that half
of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 have
experienced some form of erectile dysfunction
(often referred to as impotence). Though it is
more common in men over 40, research has also
shown a prevalence of ED in younger men.
Rather than living
with the condition, a simple consultation can
provide you with the right advice, counselling
and medication according to your needs. A range
of effective ED treatments are available from
our Online Doctor service, including Viagra,
Cialis and Levitra.
To
understand the reasons for erectile
dysfunction, it’s important to know how
an erection occurs. When aroused, your
brain sends signals to the blood vessels
in your penis, relaxing the arteries and
allowing blood to flow in. The veins
then close to trap the blood in your
penis, causing it to expand and harden.
Dr
Shori Discusses Erectile Dysfunction
Anything
that interferes with this process can
lead to erectile dysfunction. Causes of
the condition can be broken down into
two categories: physical and
psychological.
-
Circulatory problems such as
narrowing of blood vessels, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, or
hardening of arteries
(atherosclerosis)
-
Diabetes
-
Hormonal
problems such as low testosterone,
high prolactin or abnormal thyroid
levels
-
Medications such as antidepressants,
sleeping pills or drugs to treat
high blood pressure, pain or
prostate cancer
-
Obesity
-
Injuries
causing nerve damage from the brain
to the penis such as spinal cord
injuries, multiple sclerosis, pelvic
or prostate surgery, radiation
therapy or trauma from a bicycle
seat
-
Any
chronic kidney and liver disease
that affects the circulatory system,
nervous system or hormone levels
-
Smoking,
or alcohol or drug abuse
-
Stress
or being unhappy at work, home or in
your relationship
-
Anxiety or being self-conscious
about sex, fear of failure or
developing sexual performance,
worsened for those who’ve
experienced erectile dysfunction
previously
-
Depression where you feel guilty you
are not satisfying your partner, low
self-esteem or loss of interest in
sex
Psychological factors can often be a
secondary reaction to erectile
dysfunction itself and can go on to
cause subsequent episodes of erectile
dysfunction. You may also often find you
experience both physical and
psychological causes of erectile
dysfunction.
Dr
Shori Discusses Erectile Dysfunction
Anything
that interferes with this process can
lead to erectile dysfunction. Causes of
the condition can be broken down into
two categories: physical and
psychological.
-
Circulatory problems such as
narrowing of blood vessels, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, or
hardening of arteries
(atherosclerosis)
-
Diabetes
-
Hormonal
problems such as low testosterone,
high prolactin or abnormal thyroid
levels
-
Medications such as antidepressants,
sleeping pills or drugs to treat
high blood pressure, pain or
prostate cancer
-
Obesity
-
Injuries
causing nerve damage from the brain
to the penis such as spinal cord
injuries, multiple sclerosis, pelvic
or prostate surgery, radiation
therapy or trauma from a bicycle
seat
-
Any
chronic kidney and liver disease
that affects the circulatory system,
nervous system or hormone levels
-
Smoking,
or alcohol or drug abuse
-
Stress
or being unhappy at work, home or in
your relationship
-
Anxiety or being self-conscious
about sex, fear of failure or
developing sexual performance,
worsened for those who’ve
experienced erectile dysfunction
previously
-
Depression where you feel guilty you
are not satisfying your partner, low
self-esteem or loss of interest in
sex
Psychological factors can often be a
secondary reaction to erectile
dysfunction itself and can go on to
cause subsequent episodes of erectile
dysfunction. You may also often find you
experience both physical and
psychological causes of erectile
dysfunction.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Erectile
dysfunction is a common condition.
However, it is not a normal part of
aging – older men should still be able
to get an erection and enjoy sex. With
so many treatments available for the
condition, there is no need to suffer in
silence.
The main
erectile dysfunction symptoms are the
inability to achieve an erection or
maintain an erection that is sufficient
for sexual intercourse. Some men with
erectile dysfunction cannot get an
erection at all, while others are unable
to sustain an erection for more than a
short time. Loss of interest in sex or
sexual performance anxiety can also be
symptoms of the condition.
You can help
prevent erectile dysfunction by
maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which
can include regular exercise, a balanced
diet and keeping an eye on your blood
pressure and cholesterol. Anything that
is bad for your heart is also likely to
be detrimental to your erectile
function. You should look to quit
smoking and make sure you’re getting
enough sleep each night (at least seven
hours) to achieve better health.
Yes,
erectile dysfunction and impotence can
be used interchangeably. The two are
often confused with
premature ejaculation, a condition
where a man climaxes before or
immediately after penetration during
sex. This condition may accompany ED but
treatment is not the same.
Tablet
medicines, known as phosphodiesterase-5
(PDE-5) inhibitors have been proven
effective in treating erectile
dysfunction. Viagra (sildenafil) at 50mg
or 100mg has been shown to help around
four out of five men achieve and
maintain erections suitable for sexual
intercourse . Other PDE-5 inhibitors
that work in the same way include Cialis
(tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and
Spedra (avanafil).
Diagnosing
erectile dysfunction is relatively
simple and a process that should leave
you with nothing to be embarrassed
about. You will need to consult with a
registered doctor, who will recommend a
treatment based on your symptoms and
your physical and mental health, among
other things.
-
Whether
you have difficulty obtaining an
erection, if your erection is
suitable for penetration, if your
erection can be maintained and if
ejaculation occurs
-
Details
of any medication you have taken
during the past year, including
vitamins and supplements
-
Details
of your tobacco, alcohol and
caffeine intake, as well as any
recreational drug use
-
Any
psychological issues such as lack of
libido, problems in your
relationship, anxiety and fatigue
-
Details
about your relationship with your
sexual partner, including whether
they know you are seeking help, if
this is a major issue between you
and whether they are willing to help
in the treatment process. The
condition affects both of you, so
our partner’s guide to erectile
dysfunction can help significantly
with support during your treatment.
-
Blood
tests to check for signs of diabetes
or hormonal conditions such as low
testosterone
-
Urine
tests to check for signs of diabetes
or other underlying health condition
-
Ultrasound to check for blood flow
problems (this might involve an
injection of medication into the
penis to stimulate blood flow and
give an erection)
-
Overnight erection test to be done
at home – this can determine whether
the causes of erectile dysfunction
are psychological or physical and
involves wrapping a special
monitoring device around your penis
while you sleep.
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