The Problem of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence occurs when a man is repeatedly not able to get an erection or keep one long enough for the duration of a sexual encounter.  This is caused when not enough blood flows to the penis, thus, preventing an erection.  Erectile dysfunction is a very common male problem with more than half of men over 40 suffering from the problem to some degree.

Age can play a factor in impotence, but it is not the same for everyone.  While some men may be able to achieve an erection but may have difficulty getting their erection to last.  Others are unable to produce an erection hard enough for sex or can only sustain brief erections.  Yet, there are men who are consistently not able to get an erection at all.

It is these variations that make diagnosing ED difficult.  It is estimated somewhere between 15 and 30 million men suffer from the condition.  Erectile dysfunction is a medical condition and in most instances, the condition will not improve on its own without medical treatment.  One of the most commonly used drugs for erectile dysfunction is Viagra.

Any disorder that causes injury to the nerves or physical injury, disease or side effect of drugs can cause erectile dysfunction in older men.  The incidence increase with age, with 5 percent of 40+ being affected compared to 15 to 25 percent of 65+ men experiencing bouts of ED.

Viagra has been around the ED market for more than ten years with much proven success.  It can safely treat men with erectile dysfunction who have other health concerns.  Viagra can help improve erections, making them harder and last longer and works with most men who have ED.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments – Viagra

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is also known as ED or impotence and occurs when a man is unable to get or maintain an erection because not enough blood is flowing to his penis.  Men who are stressed, overworked, drink too much alcohol or who are over 50 are those who are more likely to encounter this embarrassing condition.

Men suffering from erectile dysfunction do not all have the same symptoms.  Some men fail to achieve an erection at all.  Others achieve an erection but find it difficult to maintain it, or find that their penis is not hard enough for penetration.

Erectile dysfunction is not an imaginary condition; it is a genuine medical condition and as such requires medical treatment.  An effective treatment of erectile dysfunction is Viagra.

Viagra

Viagra is taken in tablet form and is a tried and tested treatment of erectile dysfunction.  For more than ten years men have been taking Viagra to treat this common condition and the side effects are rare.  These side effects include headaches, facial flushing and upset stomachs.  In very exceptional circumstances some men may suffer problems with their vision.

The best way to obtain Viagra is to visit a local GP where you can discuss general health and any concerns.  If this proves too embarrassing then you can also buy the drug online.  Make sure that if you do buy Viagra online, check that the online pharmacist is a verified internet pharmacy site and that the drug is a genuine product.  Many sites sell counterfeit tablets.

What is Erectile Dysfunction and how is it treated?

Most men will encounter impotence at least once during their lifetime, caused by either a physical or psychological reason.  Stress, too much alcohol or overwork may lead to a man unable to maintain an erection and achieve a sexual climax.  The reduction in sexual pleasure affects not only sufferers but also their partner who they may not be able to penetrate.  The physical aspects can quickly lead to psychological symptoms such as depression and may be responsible for relationship problems.

Men can be embarrassed by this condition but it may be only a temporary phase that can easily be remedied.

However, for approximately two million men in the UK, impotence is not a temporary issue and the long-term condition is known as erectile dysfunction.  The majority of sufferers are men over the age of 50 who are more prone to the condition.

There are drugs that you can obtain that are available online, meaning that the patient can avoid an embarrassing visit to his local GP.  Online pharmacists ensure that any purchase made over the internet is discreet and confidential.

Cialis is one remedy that is taken orally in tablet form and increases the blood flow to the penis allowing the man to have a lasting erection.  The tablet is taken 30 minutes before sexual intercourse and the effect last for 36 hours.

Viagra is another remedy and works in about an hour, although for some men it can take effect within 14 minutes.  Take Viagra on an empty stomach and once you receive an orgasm, your erection will disappear.

The importance of genuine medication

We all know that it is possible to buy medication online which often refers to the manufacturers’ name for the medication, Viagra, or Priligy is a case in point where the site refers to the product as Viagra or Priligy, but is it genuine or is it a fake? The difference sometimes becomes glaringly obvious when a user switches from a name-brand drug to its generic counterpart. While the active ingredient is bio-equivalent in both and designed to produce the same effect, the rest of the formulation is not.

While patients often assume that they are allergic to an active ingredient in the drugs, allergies to medications may actually be due to the inactive components, such as gluten, artificial colourings, preservatives and other chemicals that maintain the appearance, but do not serve any medical purpose. The answer is simple; only buy genuine Viagra or Priligy online from a trusted source.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Erectile dysfunction, or the inability to have sex due to the lack of an erection, is one of the most distressing conditions that a man can experience and, despite work to raise awareness and understanding of the condition, it is often a cause for feelings of guilt and shame. This is not a rare condition; some estimate that up to half of men between the ages of 40 and 70 will suffer from erectile dysfunction at one time or another.

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors and influences, both physical and psychological. The most common physical causes include diabetes, heart disease, hormonal problems and high blood pressure. Psychologically speaking, stress, relationship issues, depression and anxiety can all lead to an inability to become erect and maintain an erection.

Many men will require no medical treatment if they only have a small number of incidents of erectile dysfunction or if the condition resolves on its own. Others may require counselling or treatment for an underlying condition such as heart disease or diabetes, the management of which may resolve the erection problems. 

Men for whom these solutions do not suffice may want to consider taking medication that is specifically intended to treat erectile dysfunction. Medications such as Viagra and Cialis sparked a revolution in the treatment of erectile dysfunction giving a new lease of life to many who had previously been suffering in silence. Any GP is able to give advice about erectile dysfunction and possible treatment options.

Erectile Dysfunction – Treatments

Erectile dysfunction is commonly treated by medication such as Viagra or Cialis.  However, other treatments can be tried.

Pelvic Floor Exercises

The pelvic floor muscles run around the underside of the rectum and bladder.  One of this group of muscles, called the bulbocavernosus, partially runs around the base of the penis and helps prevent blood escaping during an erection.  Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can cure erectile dysfunction in some cases.  Studies have shown that around four in 10 men regain normal erectile function after a course of pelvic floor exercises.  The exercises are performed once a day for three months.

Injections

This treatment works well and involves injecting a medicine into the base of the penis.  The medicine increases blood-flow to the penis and an erection can usually be achieved within 15 minutes.  Unlike treatments such as Levitra an erection can be achieved even if the individual is not sexually aroused.

Urethral Medication

Alprostadil is used in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.  It works by dilating the blood vessels of the penis and involves the insertion of a pellet into the end of the urethra.

Vacuum Devices

There are several types on the market, but the principle is the same.  The penis is placed in a plastic container and the air is sucked out to create a vacuum, which causes blood to be drawn into the penis.  Once erect a rubber band is placed around the base of the penis to maintain the erection.  The rubber band must be removed within 30 minutes.

Penile Prosthesis

This procedure involves a surgeon inserting a rod into the penis.  The rod is inflated by means of an inbuilt pump whenever an erection is required.

Erectile Dysfunction and Treatments

Most cases of erectile dysfunction are treatable.  The problem can occur at any age, but the older the person the more common it becomes.  50%of men between the ages of 40 and 70 will suffer from the condition and 70% of men aged 70 and above will have it.

Sometimes a referral to a specialist will be needed for the assessment and treatment of erectile dysfunction, but GPs are now treating more cases.

Medication

The first tablet for treating erectile dysfunction was introduced in the UK in 1998 and there are now four types licensed for the treatment of the condition.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors

Three of the tablets work by inhibiting the breakdown of the chemical cGMP, which is involved in dilating the blood vessels during sexual arousal.  This increases blood-flow to the penis enabling an erection to occur.  The three types of tablet are sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra).  The tablets are taken a short time before attempting sexual intercourse.

Apomorphine (Uprima)

Apomorphine works by raising the levels of chemicals in the brain that are involved in sending signals to the penile nerves during sexual arousal.  The tablet is dissolved under the tongue 20 minutes before sexual intercourse.

Success rate and contraindication

These drugs are not capable of causing an erection unless the individual is sexually aroused.  The success rate is good, but the tablets do not work in every case.  Nitrate medicines, such as glyceryl trinitrate, which are also used to treat angina, should not be taken with a PDE5 inhibitor.  Individuals taking alpha-blockers, such as doxazosin or prazosin, for the treatment of high blood pressure need to stabilise before taking a PDE5 inhibitor as the combination can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. 

Erectile Dysfunction – Causes

During sexual arousal, signals travel from the brain to the penis.  Chemicals released from the penile nerves cause the arteries of the penis to dilate, filling it with blood and producing an erection.  If the normal operation of the nervous or circulatory system is compromised it can cause erectile dysfunction.

Psychological Factors

Stress or depression can reduce libido, making it more difficult to achieve an erection.  A change in hormonal levels may also reduce libido.  Some cases of erectile dysfunction, which have a physical cause, can be exacerbated by the loss of confidence and anxiety that the condition frequently causes.

Physical Causes

If erectile dysfunction is caused by a physical condition then the individual will generally have a normal libido. 

There are four main types of condition that can cause erectile dysfunction.

•    Vasculogenic conditions, which affect blood-flow to the penis; they include heart disease, atheriosclerosis, high blood pressure and diabetes. 

•    Neurogenic conditions, which affect the nervous system; they include multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal injuries and tumours. 

•    Hormonal conditions, which affect hormone levels; they include hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome.

•    Anatomical conditions, which affect the physical structure of the penis; they include Peyronie’s disease and hypospadias.

Medicinal Causes

Some medicines can cause erectile dysfunction, including diuretics, antihypertensives, fibrates, antipsychotics, antidepressants, steroids, immunosuppressants, H2-antagonists and anticonvulsants.  Individuals who suspect that their medication may be causing the problem should ask their GP if there is a suitable alternative.

Other Possible Causes

Obesity, smoking, alcohol, tiredness and illegal drugs such as cocaine or cannabis can also cause erectile dysfunction.  Cycling for more than three hours a week can result in erectile dysfunction due to the saddle creating pressure on the nerves of the penis.

Treatment – NHS

Treatment such as Viagra is available to individuals with specific conditions.

Viagra – More than Just a Guy’s Pill

Sildenafil citrate, more commonly known as Viagra, is a type of drug most people have heard about. It was developed and marketed by Pfizer and became available on the market in 1998.

The drug’s primary use is in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Viagra works by relaxing the muscles and increasing blood flow to certain parts of the body, particularly the penis. It has been given nicknames like ‘the Blue Pill’ or ‘Vitamin V’.

Viagra became an international sensation, spawning thousands and thousands of imitations, including ‘herbal Viagra’. However, this is more than just a guy’s pill and Viagra is used in the treatment other conditions, as you will learn from the following list.

Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is caused by many factors, including diabetes and the use of anti-depressants. Viagra is used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, otherwise described as the inability to maintain an erection for long enough to perform sexual intercourse.

Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease, for which Sildenafil is an effective treatment. Viagra reduces the workload of the heart’s right ventricle by relaxing the arterial wall, which in turn reduces pulmonary arterial pressure and resistance. This helps prevent right-side heart failure.

Altitude Sickness
High altitude pulmonary oedema or altitude sickness is treated with Sildenafil. This is a problem that afflicts many mountain climbers.

Sports
Since Viagra allows the muscles to relax and enhances the flow of blood through the body, some professional athletes use it to help improve their performance.

Plant wilting prevention
Cut flowers last longer if they are put in a mixture of Sildenafil diluted with water.

Sildenafil or Viagra is more than just a pill used by men to treat their erectile dysfunction. However, before popping any pills, be sure to consult your doctor.

Viagra: Learning About the Facts

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects many men, which is why Viagra is so popular. In fact it is so popular that we see ads for it all over the place and it has even spawned the creation of “herbal Viagra”.

The drug is used to treat sicknesses other than ED, even though many think of this as being its only function. It must be remembered, however, that Viagra is not for everyone and should be taken only after consulting your doctor.

Before taking Viagra, you should learn as much as possible about the drug. Here are some basic guidelines you should consider before taking Viagra.

Usage
Viagra cannot be taken more than once a day.
Sexual activity should commence 30-60 minutes after taking Viagra.
Having a full stomach or eating a fatty meal can delay the effects of the drug. It is therefore advisable to take it on an empty stomach.
An erection cannot be achieved unless there is arousal before the sexual activity.
For older males, of 60 years and above, a lower dose should be given.
Do not change your dosage unless prescribed by the doctor.

Side Effects
Viagra can cause sight problems, including blurred vision and in some cases, total loss of sight.
Flushes, headaches and indigestion are also common side effects of using Viagra.
Viagra can also cause urinary tract infection as well as congestion.
In some cases, where there was a pre-existing condition before taking the drug, it can even lead to death.

Warning
If you are taking other medication for ED, do not use Viagra.
If an erection lasts for more than four hours, consult your doctor immediately.
Do not use Viagra if you have illnesses related to high blood pressure or heart related illnesses.
Avoid Viagra if you are taking medicines such as nitrates or ketaconazole, cimetadine.

Viagra can help anyone suffering from ED. However, as with most drugs, it has side effects. Be especially wary of fake Viagra and be sure to consult your doctor before popping one of these pills.

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