One of the great satisfactions of human life is the ability to have fantastic sexual experiences. From initial stimulation to climax, the ability to achieve and maintain an erection hard enough to satisfy both partners in the relationship is crucial for achieving sexual wellness. At Men's ARX™ we specialize in men's wellness, sexual health, and hair loss among other male health concerns.
The following Erectile Dysfunction Guide from MensARX.com explains everything you need to know about one of the most common men’s sexual health issues—including its symptoms, causes, tests, and cures.
Erectile dysfunction tests include:
The most basic erectile dysfunction definition is: the persistent inability of a man to maintain an erection sufficient for satisfying sexual activity. Sometimes the condition is also referred to as impotence.
Have you had one of the following erectile dysfunction symptoms?
Any man can fail to get or keep an erection from time-to-time due to psychological stress, fatigue, use of drugs or alcohol, or situational factors. The signs of ED tend to be more persistent and impactful, with 1 in 10 men suffering from long-term impotence.
Studies show the prevalence of erectile dysfunction increases proportionally with the years.
Erectile dysfunction age myths and misunderstandings have prevented many men from seeking the medical care they need to lead healthy, complete, and fulfilling lives.
The two types of erectile dysfunction include:
Low testosterone often comes up when researching questions like “What is the main cause of erectile dysfunction?” Clues that may indicate ED and a low testosterone level include:
Vascular disorders like diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), or atherosclerosis are the most common culprits resulting in restricted blood flow to the penis. Undiagnosed heart disease is also a related ED medical condition.
Neurologic causes may include stroke, seizures, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or pelvic surgery complications. Low testosterone levels are yet another common cause.
While psychological factors—either primary or reactive—may include guilt, fear of intimacy, depression, stress, anxiety, or situational partner related issues, erectile dysfunction is not considered a psychological disorder. Trauma and undiagnosed mental illnesses can cause ED, but are not considered common primary causes for most men.
To diagnose erectile dysfunction, a physician will typically review your medical history and ask you a few personal questions to understand your situation better. Questions may include: What drugs or medications are you currently using? When did you first notice symptoms and what were the circumstances? What is the frequency, quality, and duration of erections you’ve had? What sexual techniques do you use? Are there any issues with your current relationship?
Erectile dysfunction drugs are often a starting point for erectile dysfunction treatment, as they’re noninvasive and generally easy to use. Prescription drugs for ED may include Avanafil, Sildenafil, or Vardenafil—which can produce an erection in 30 to 60 minutes. Slow-absorbing Tadalafil may take four or five hours to have the desired effect, but the medication can last 24 to 36 hours. Erectile dysfunction medicine cannot be purchased without a prescription, as there are many precautions and contraindications depending on a patient’s medical history.
Erectile dysfunction treatment may require testosterone replacement therapy—available as a cream, gel, patch, or injection—which can also improve energy, mood, bone density, muscle mass, and libido.
Lifestyle recommendations may include abstaining from cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol or losing weight. Erectile dysfunction exercises like kegel exercises, pelvic floor stretches, walking, aerobic activity, and pilates can benefit patients looking to increase blood flow and general health. An erectile dysfunction diet may include foods like blueberries, tempeh, oatmeal, kale, carrots, apples, grapes, seeds, legumes, eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt, avocados, and olive oil. Eliminating fatty, fried, overprocessed foods can help improve sexual function as well.
When these therapeutic and natural ways to get erect do not work, penile implants like an inflatable penis pump or semi-rigid penile prosthesis may be considered. The surgically-inserted penile implant consists of two cylinders implanted in the penis, a reservoir implanted under the lower abdominal muscles, and a pump under the scrotal sac between the testicles that can be pressed to activate the system. A deflation valve at the base of the pump returns fluid to the reservoir to deflate the penis once sexual activity has concluded.
Fill out the form here for your free telemedicine face-to-face consultation via your mobile phone or laptop with a board-licensed physician. Mens ARX™ can help you secure the diagnostic tests and treatments you need.
Learn more about how Mens Advanced RX™ can help you reach your wellness goals by reviewing our other services.