Erectile dysfunction is defined as the repeated inability to keep an erection firm enough to complete the sexual intercourse. It is also called “impotence”.
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, can be
1. A total inability to achieve erection
2. An inconsistent ability to achieve erection, or
3. A tendency to sustain only brief erections.
Causes of Erectile dysfunction (ED):
An erection requires a precise sequence of some events. When any of the events is disrupted, it leads to erectile dysfunction. This sequence includes nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, and area around the penis, and response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and near the corpora cavernosa.
1. The most common cause of ED is damage to the nerves, the arteries, smooth muscles, and the fibrous tissues due to diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurologic disease Between 35 and 50 percent of men with diabetes experience ED.
2. Smoking, being overweight and the routine without any form of exercise are other possible causes of ED.
3. Surgery like bladder surgery for cancer can injure nerves and arteries near the penis, causing ED. Injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, and pelvis can lead to ED by harming nerves, smooth muscles, arteries, and fibrous tissues of the corpora cavernosa.
4. Besides all above cases, many common medications such as drugs given for high blood pressure,antihistamines, antidepressants or tranquilizers can produce ED as a side effect.
5. Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure cause 10 to 20 percent of ED cases.
6. Smoking affects the blood flow in veins and arteries, and hormonal abnormalities, such as releasing not enough testosterone.
Diagnose ED:
1. History of the patient: A medical history can disclose diseases that lead to ED, while a simple recounting of sexual activity might distinguish among problems with sexual desire, erection, ejaculation, or orgasm.
2. Physical Examination: A physical examination of the penis can also give clues of the systemic problems. For example, if the penis is not sensitive to touching, a problem in the nervous system may be the cause. Abnormal secondary sex characteristics, such as hair pattern or breast enlargement, can point to hormonal problems, which would mean that the endocrine system is involved.
3. Laboratory Tests: Tests for systemic diseases include blood counts, urinalysis, lipid profile, and measurements of creatinine and liver enzymes. Measuring the amount of free testosterone in the blood can yield information about problems with the endocrine system and is indicated especially in patients with decreased sexual desire.
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment:
1. For some men, making a few healthy lifestyle changes may solve the problem. Quitting smoking, losing excess weight, and increasing physical activity may help some men regain sexual function.
2. Avoiding use of certain drugs with harmful side effects.
3. Psychotherapy: Experts often treat psychologically based ED using therapies that can help relieve anxiety when ED from physical causes is being treated.
4. Drug Therapy: Drugs for treating ED can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis, or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. Viagra was the first pill to treat ED. Since that time, vardenafil hydrochloride (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) have also been approved. Additional oral medicines are being tested for safety and effectiveness.
Taken an hour before sexual activity, these drugs work by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes smooth muscles in the penis during sexual stimulation and allows increased blood flow.
They only improve the response to sexual stimulation, but do not trigger an automatic erection as injections do.Nitroglycerin, a muscle relaxant, can sometimes enhance erection when rubbed on the penis.
5. Vacuum Devices
Mechanical vacuum devices cause erection by creating a partial vacuum, which draws blood into the penis, engorging and expanding it.
6. Surgery
Surgery usually has one of three goals to achieve:
• To implant a device that can cause the penis to become erect
• To reconstruct arteries to increase flow of blood to the penis
• To block off veins that allow blood to leak from the penile tissues
7. Exercises to cure Erectile Dysfunction:
The Best Exercises for Improving Blood Flow to the Penis and Pelvic Area:
1. Yoga exercises that improve blood circulation throughout the pelvic area should be regularly practiced. They also help in strengthening of the back and core.
Method: Lie down and press the small of your back into the floor. Doing this allows you to use your abdominal muscles without straining your lower back.
Raise your right leg slowly while breathing in. Keep your back flat on the floor and let the rest of your body remain relaxed.
Move your leg very slowly. No quick movements. Hold for 5 breaths. Lower your leg very slowly as you breathe out.
Repeat the same exercise on your left side. Then alternate legs, repeating the exercise 5 to 10 times.
Basically, this is a weight lifting exercise. You should do no more than 10 sets on your heavy-lifting days and 5 sets on your light-lifting days.
2. Squats
Squats are by far the best thigh and hip exercise, which help with ED. One should do them with straight, back straight using a mirror.
Squats not only build muscle mass in the thighs and buttocks, which of course, make lifting easier, but as they build muscle, they increase the demand for blood from your heart throughout the day.
As a result, the groin receives more of the energy-rich blood one need to maintain an erection throughout the intercourse.
3. Cardio
Any card that is intense and sustained enough to keep you sweating for an hour will do. Strive for 4-6 times a week.
Game Plan for Erectile Health:
1. Do the Exercises Above that Improve Blood Flow to the Groin Apex
2. Eat Right. There are foods that help to support erectile performance
3. Add cardio at least 4 times a week. The cardio must be intense and sustained enough to work up a good sweat.
