Erectyle dysfunction

Erectyle dysfunction intro Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual activity. Erectile dysfunction is different from other conditions that interfere with sexual intercourse, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation and orgasm.
Signs and Symptoms

Patterns of erectile dysfunction include:

• Occasional inability to obtain a full erection
• Inability to maintain an erection throughout intercourse
• Complete inability to achieve an erection

More about Erectyle dysfunction

Causes

Nonphysical causes

Nonphysical causes may account for impotence. They may include:

•  Psychological problems. The most common nonphysical causes are stress, anxiety and fatigue. Impotence is also an occasional side effect of psychological problems such as depression.
• Negative feelings. Feelings that you express toward your sexual partner - or that are expressed by your sexual partner - such as resentment, hostility or lack of interest also can be a factor in erectile dysfunction.

Physical causes

Physical causes account for many cases of erectile dysfunction and may include:

• Nerve damage from longstanding diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
• Cardiovascular disorders affecting the blood supply to the pelvis
• Certain prescription medications
• Operations for cancer of the prostate
• Fractures that injure the spinal cord
• Multiple sclerosis
• Hormonal disorders
• Alcoholism and other forms of drug abuse
  

In fact, erectile dysfunction may be one of the first signs of an underlying medical problem.
The physical and nonphysical causes of erectile dysfunction commonly interact. For instance, a minor physical problem that slows sexual response may cause anxiety about attaining an erection. Then the anxiety can worsen your erectile dysfunction.

Risk Factors

A wide variety of physical and emotional risk factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction. They include:

• Physical diseases and disorders. Chronic diseases of the lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, nerves, arteries or veins can lead to impotence. So can endocrine system disorders, particularly diabetes. The accumulation of deposits (plaques) in your arteries (atherosclerosis) also can prevent adequate blood from entering the penis. And in some men, erectile dysfunction may be caused by low levels of the hormone testosterone (male hypogonadism).
• Surgery or trauma. Damage to the nerves that control erections can cause erectile dysfunction. It may result from an injury to the pelvic area or spinal cord. Surgery to treat bladder, rectal or prostate cancer also can result in erectile dysfunction. Prolonged bicycle riding also can cause a temporary problem.
• Medications. A wide range of drugs - including antidepressants, antihistamines and medications to treat high blood pressure, pain and prostate cancer - can cause erectile dysfunction by interfering with nerve impulses or blood flow to the penis. Tranquilizers and sleeping aids also may pose a problem.
• Substance abuse. Chronic use of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs often causes erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual drive. Excessive tobacco use also can damage penile arteries.
• Stress, anxiety or depression. Psychological conditions also contribute to some cases of erectile dysfunction

Diagnosis

Your doctor will want to ask questions about how and when your condition developed, the medications you take and any other physical conditions you may have. Your doctor will also want to discuss recent physical or emotional changes.

If your doctor suspects that physical causes are involved, he or she will likely want to take blood tests to check your level of male hormones and for other potential medical problems, such as diabetes. Your doctor may also want to try eliminating or replacing certain prescription drugs you're taking one at a time to see whether any are responsible for erectile dysfunction.

More specialized tests may include:

• Ultrasonography.This test can determine the adequacy of arterial circulation in your genital organs.
• Neurologic evaluation. Your doctor usually assesses possible nerve damage by conducting a physical examination to test for normal touch sensation in your genital area.
• Cavernosometry and cavernosography. Cavernosometry is a test that measures penile vascular pressure

Treatment

There are many different ways ED can be treated, including: oral medications, sex therapy, penile injections and surgery. Each type of treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.

A wide variety of options exist for treating erectile dysfunction. They include everything from medications and simple mechanical devices to surgery and psychological counseling. The cause and severity of your condition are important factors in determining the best treatment or combination of treatments for you. You and your doctor may also want to consider how much money you're willing to spend and the personal preferences of you and your partner.

Oral medications
Oral medications available to treat ED include:

* Sildenafil (Viagra)
* Tadalafil (Cialis)
* Vardenafil (Levitra)
* Prostaglandin E (alprostadil) -There are two ways to use alprostadil: (Needle-injection therapy,Self-administered intraurethral therapy)
* Hormone replacement therapy
* Vacuum devices
* Vascular surgery
* Penile implants
* Psychological counseling

Medications

Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors :

Erectyle dysfunction Medications

• Cialis
• Levitra
• Viagra