Everything You Need To Know About Erectile Dysfunction And ED Treatments
Posted on: 27 June 2022
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a problem that plagues many men and can have a negative impact on both their personal and professional lives. Fortunately, there are treatments available for ED. Here's what you need to know about erectile dysfunction and ED treatments.
What is erectile dysfunction?
The Mayo Clinic defines erectile dysfunction as the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. It can be a sign of health problems and can affect your quality of life.
What causes erectile dysfunction?
There are many possible causes, including:
- Psychological factors. Anxiety and depression can make it hard to get or keep an erection because they can affect a man's ability to get aroused.
- Physical factors. These include conditions that affect blood flow, such as atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Injury or surgery. Injuries to the pelvic area or spinal cord can cause erectile dysfunction. This can also be a side effect of certain types of surgery for cancer, such as radical prostatectomy or removal of the bladder.
- Hormone problems. Low levels of the male hormone testosterone can lead to erectile dysfunction. This can be due to problems with the testicles or pituitary gland.
- Drugs. Some prescription medications can cause erectile dysfunction, such as drugs used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression.
- Nerve damage. This can be caused by injury, surgery, or conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.
Additionally, certain lifestyle choices, like smoking, excessive drinking, being overweight, and lack of exercise can all potentially cause erectile dysfunction.
What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction?
The main symptom is the inability to get or keep an erection. Other symptoms may include:
- Low sex drive
- Trouble getting aroused
- Trouble getting or maintaining an erection during sex
What are ED treatments?
There are many ways your doctor can help you with erectile dysfunction, including:
- Low T therapy. This type of therapy is designed to boost testosterone levels with oral medications in men that have lower than average testosterone levels.
- Oral medications. There are several prescription medicines that can be taken orally to increase sexual function short term.
- Subcutaneous injections. In addition to oral options, your doctor may prescribe a self-administered, subcutaneous injection to improve sexual function.
- Therapy. You and your doctor may decide that therapy is a viable option to reduce anxiety before, during, and after intercourse.
- Underlying health issues. This is a good time to address any underlying health issues and take necessary measures to improve your overall health.
- Get help from a professional. If you're struggling to manage erectile dysfunction on your own, consider seeking out help from a professional counselor or sex therapist.
Additionally, your doctor may recommend an increase in daily exercise to boost endorphins and help you lose any extra weight.
Erectile dysfunction doesn't have to be a part of getting older. There are treatments available that can help you maintain an erection and enjoy a healthy sex life. Contact a local doctor to learn more about erectile dysfunction and how to treat it.
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