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Psychological factors can cause erectile dysfunction

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:01:58 +0000

Health problems such as heart disease and vascular problems can raise the risk of erectile dysfunction. Experts also believe that psychological factors can do the same. According to research, stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure cause 10% to 20% of ED cases.

Men with a physical cause for ED frequently experience the same sort of psychological reactions such as stress, anxiety, guilt, depression. The other surprising causes are smoking. Smoking affects blood flow in veins and arteries, and hormonal abnormalities, such as not enough testosterone which can lead to ED. If you notice any problems, the first thing to do is quit smoking and talk to your doctor.

Drugs for treating ED

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 18:10:13 +0000

Drugs for treating ED can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis, or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. In March 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra, 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.

Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis all belong to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. 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.

While oral medicines improve the response to sexual stimulation, they do not trigger an automatic erection as injections do. The recommended dose for Viagra is 50 mg, and the physician may adjust this dose to 100 mg or 25 mg, depending on the patient. The recommended dose for either Levitra or Cialis is 10 mg, and the physician may adjust this dose to 20 mg if 10 mg is insufficient. A lower dose of 5 mg is available for patients who take other medicines or have conditions that may decrease the body’s ability to use the drug. Levitra is also available in a 2.5 mg dose.

None of these PDE inhibitors should be used more than once a day. Men who take nitrate-based drugs such as nitroglycerin for heart problems should not use either drug because the combination can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Also, tell your doctor if you take any drugs called alpha-blockers, which are used to treat prostate enlargement or high blood pressure. Your doctor may need to adjust your ED prescription. Taking a PDE inhibitor and an alpha-blocker at the same time (within 4 hours) can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Oral testosterone can reduce ED in some men with low levels of natural testosterone, but it is often ineffective and may cause liver damage. Patients also have claimed that other oral drugs—including yohimbine hydrochloride, dopamine and serotonin agonists, and trazodone—are effective, but the results of scientific studies to substantiate these claims have been inconsistent. Improvements observed following use of these drugs may be examples of the placebo effect, that is, a change that results simply from the patient’s believing that an improvement will occur.

Many men achieve stronger erections by injecting drugs into the penis, causing it to become engorged with blood. Drugs such as papaverine hydrochloride, phentolamine, and alprostadil (marketed as Caverject) widen blood vessels. These drugs may create unwanted side effects, however, including persistent erection (known as priapism) and scarring. Nitroglycerin, a muscle relaxant, can sometimes enhance erection when rubbed on the penis.

A system for inserting a pellet of alprostadil into the urethra is marketed as Muse. The system uses a prefilled applicator to deliver the pellet about an inch deep into the urethra. An erection will begin within 8 to 10 minutes and may last 30 to 60 minutes. The most common side effects are aching in the penis, testicles, and area between the penis and rectum; warmth or burning sensation in the urethra; redness from increased blood flow to the penis; and minor urethral bleeding or spotting.

Research on drugs for treating ED is expanding rapidly. Patients should ask their doctor about the latest advances.

Source: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Psychotherapy to treat ED

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 18:08:15 +0000

Experts often treat psychologically based ED using techniques that decrease the anxiety associated with intercourse. The patient’s partner can help with the techniques, which include gradual development of intimacy and stimulation. Such techniques also can help relieve anxiety when ED from physical causes is being treated.

Source: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Fibromyalgia and Erectile Dysfunction

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:13:05 +0000

By Helena Ederveen

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a complex disorder that can affect men of any age. It is the condition that prevents men from achieving or sustaining an erection. The term also includes other conditions which seriously inhibit sexual performance or render the patient unable to participate in sexual intercourse. In most cases, it is actually indicative of some underlying condition that can be treated quite easily. Often all that is required to correct this disorder is a general reduction of stress or a change in lifestyle. However, with the stigma and embarrassment associated with the condition, many men are reluctant to seek the necessary diagnosis and treatment. This can prove to be extremely dangerous, or even fatal depending on the nature of the primary disorder of which erectile dysfunction is merely a symptom.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

On a higher level, the causes of Erectile Dysfunction can be either physical or psychological. Physically, a variety of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes have been known to cause impotence. Emotional issues such as mental stress or a general lack of sexual confidence are also equally likely to cause the same effect. One such common culprit of Erectile Dysfunction is Fibromyalgia.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, formerly known as Fibrositis is a chronic condition causing pain, tenderness and stiffness of the muscles, joints, and tendons. The condition is also characterized by fatigue, restless sleep, depression, anxiety and irregular bowel function. The pain caused by Fibromyalgia is not accompanied by inflammation of the tissues (which is the common cause of pain in most diseases). Consequently, despite the acute pain, the patient does not develop any kind of bodily damage or deformity. Fibromyalgia also does not damage internal organs of the body. In this respect, Fibromyalgia differs from many other rheumatic conditions such as arthritis or systemic lupus.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

Although Fibromyalgia is becoming increasingly common, its causes remain largely unknown. Patients suffering from the condition experience pain in response to stimuli that would not usually be perceived as painful. Recent findings point to elevated levels of substance P, a nerve chemical signal as a possible cause of Fibromyalgia. Reduced levels of the brain nerve chemical serotonin have also been mentioned in connection with the causes of Fibromyalgia. Detailed analysis of pain in Fibromyalgia patients has revealed the super sensitivity of the central nervous system of such patients. This, coupled with a diffuse disturbance of pain perception could also be a cause of Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia and Erectile Dysfunction

In recent times, as the understanding about Fibromyalgia has increased, a definite correlation between Fibromyalgia and Erectile Dysfunction has been documented. It must also be pointed out that the number of reported cases of Fibromyalgia and associated Erectile problems has been on the rise.

Fibromyalgia can be a direct, as well as an indirect, cause of this disorder. The pain caused by Fibromyalgia, particularly in the testicle and penis area, is the most direct and immediate cause of Erectile Dysfunction. Many sufferers of Fibromyalgia (both male and female) also report reduced sexual drive. This leads to performance anxiety, depression and ultimately impotence in the male patients. Excessive physical and mental fatigue caused by Sleep deprivation and muscle and joint pains are also instrumental in reducing the libido and rendering the patient unable to perform sexually.

In general cases of Erectile Dysfunction, an effective treatment is physical exercise. However, the pain associated with Fibromyalgia makes strenuous exercise extremely difficult. As a result, the lack of sustaining an erection and the probability of its occurrence are increased in patients of Fibromyalgia. Erectile Dysfunction can be directly combated with a variety of drugs that are available on prescription. In some cases where the causes of impotence are chiefly emotional, psychotherapy can be a very effective treatment as well as Neurolinguistic programming techniques. And to explore the underlying causes in comprehensive biochemical screening, which has a foundation in nutritional and environmental influences.

Snoring Remedies are provided based upon your unique situation. For more in-depth information about snoring remedies you can find out a lot more on my site. Helena Ederveen, Clinical Nutritionist is an expert in her field for many years.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Which Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Should You Choose? Discover Your Options

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:11:46 +0000

By Paulus Wideman

If you’re a man suffering from erectile dysfunction, chances are at one point or another, you’ve been looking for a cure. Unfortunately, unless it’s caused by underlying issues and other physiological problems, erectile dysfunction is usually a permanent condition which comes about naturally as the body wears down from age and other diseases.

While there’s no cure for erectile dysfunction, it can be treated. The various proven treatments allow men suffering from male impotence to achieve and maintain erections long enough to perform sexual intercourse, and range from easy-to-take pills to surgical procedures. The two most common forms of treatment for erection dysfunction are oral tablets and Alprostadil.

Alprostadil is the granddaddy of all ED treatments, and also the most effective in clinical trials. So why do so few men use it, or have never heard of it? The answer is simple: its delivery method. Originally it was a penile suppository, requiring men to deposit the medicine directly into their urethra. Not surprisingly, when pills treating erection dysfunction came about most men gladly tossed out their suppositories. To combat the dropping number of users, scientists have begun work on creating a cream out of the medication. Known as Befar, the topical treatment has already passed clinical tests in the East (and is available online); no word yet on when it will be tested by the USFDA.

The most common (and most asked for) treatments for this sexual condition are pills. Serving as PDE5 inhibitors, pills treating ED (Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis) work by blocking the PDE5 enzyme, and long story short, allows more sustained blood flow to the walls of the penis.

Since Viagra shook the world in 1998, PDE5 inhibitor pills have become (by far) the most used and trusted form of treatment for male impotence.

Of course, there are other options available. One option isn’t an option so much as a requirement for certain causes of ED: hormone treatments. If the causes of your impotence are hormonal in nature, simple hormone treatments will correct the problem both short- and long-term.

So what happens if Alprostadil and PDE5 inhibitors don’t work for you, and your underlying cause isn’t hormonal? These days men who find the usual treatments ineffective are opting for surgery to fix their problems. Doctors can insert prosthetic implants into your penis, giving it support to help maintain erections longer. Surgery is a costly and irreversible treatment with several possible side effects, however, so it’s usually a last resort used by men willing to risk more to treat their ED.

The author specializes in sexual health topics and is a regular contributor to online and offline columns and publications. The majority of erectile dysfunction treatments involve doctors consultations or surgery, however now you can put an end to your sexual misery with a completely natural sexual enhancement formula that doesn’t require a doctors visit or prescription by visiting prosolutiondirect.com. Also learn how cheaply you can end ED by checking out how to obtain discount prosolution pills.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

What causes an erection?

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:35:42 +0000

Hormones, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles must all work together to make an erection. Your brain starts an erection by sending nerve signals to the penis when it senses sexual stimulation. Touching may cause this arousal. Another trigger may be something you see or hear. It may be a sexual thought or dream.

Your brain starts an erection by sending nerve signals to the penis.

The nerve signals cause the muscles within the penis to relax and let blood flow into the spongy tissue within the penis. Blood collects in this tissue like water filling a sponge. The penis becomes larger and firmer, like an inflated balloon. The veins then get shut off to keep blood from flowing out.

After climax, or after the sexual arousal has passed, the veins open back up and blood flows back into the body.

Healthy blood vessels are needed for an erection.

Source: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

What men need to know about erectile problems

admin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:28:31 +0000

Some people can talk with their doctors about sex. Others feel that sex is private. They do not want to share details with anyone. But if you have problems getting or keeping an erection, you have good reasons to talk to a doctor: your health and your quality of life.

Erection problems used to be called “impotence.” Now the term “erectile dysfunction” is more common. Sometimes people just use the initials ED.

ED can be a sign of health problems. It may mean your blood vessels are clogged. It may mean you have nerve damage from diabetes. If you don’t see your doctor, these problems will go untreated.

Another reason to see your doctor is to treat ED itself. Your doctor can offer several new treatments. For many men, the answer is as simple as taking a pill. Other men have to try two or three options before they find a treatment that works for them. Don’t give up if the first treatment doesn’t work. Finding the right treatment can take time.

Source: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

How is Erectile Dysfunction (ED) diagnosed?

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:52:18 +0000

Patient History

Medical and sexual histories help define the degree and nature of ED. 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.

Using certain prescription or illegal drugs can suggest a chemical cause, since drug effects account for 25 percent of ED cases. Cutting back on or substituting certain medications can often alleviate the problem.

Physical Examination

A physical examination can give clues to 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. The examiner might discover a circulatory problem by observing decreased pulses in the wrist or ankles. And unusual characteristics of the penis itself could suggest the source of the problem, for example, a penis that bends or curves when erect could be the result of Peyronie’s disease.

Laboratory Tests

Several laboratory tests can help diagnose ED. 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.

Other Tests

Monitoring erections that occur during sleep (nocturnal penile tumescence) can help rule out certain psychological causes of ED. Healthy men have involuntary erections during sleep. If nocturnal erections do not occur, then ED is likely to have a physical rather than psychological cause. Tests of nocturnal erections are not completely reliable, however. Scientists have not standardized such tests and have not determined when they should be applied for best results.

Psychosocial Examination

A psychosocial examination, using an interview and a questionnaire, reveals psychological factors. A man’s sexual partner may also be interviewed to determine expectations and perceptions during sexual intercourse.

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

What causes erectile dysfunction (ED)?

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:45:50 +0000

Since an erection requires a precise sequence of events, ED can occur when any of the events is disrupted. The 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.

Damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues, often as a result of disease, is the most common cause of ED. Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurologic disease account for about 70 percent of ED cases. Between 35 and 50 percent of men with diabetes experience ED.

Lifestyle choices that contribute to heart disease and vascular problems also raise the risk of erectile dysfunction. Smoking, being overweight, and avoiding exercise are possible causes of ED.

Also, surgery (especially radical prostate and 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.

In addition, many common medicines blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine (an ulcer drug) can produce ED as a side effect.

Experts believe that psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure cause 10 to 20 percent of ED cases. Men with a physical cause for ED frequently experience the same sort of psychological reactions (stress, anxiety, guilt, depression). Other possible causes are smoking, which affects blood flow in veins and arteries, and hormonal abnormalities, such as not enough testosterone.

Source: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

How does an erection occur?

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:34:26 +0000

The penis contains two chambers called the corpora cavernosa, which run the length of the organ (see figure 1). A spongy tissue fills the chambers. The corpora cavernosa are surrounded by a membrane, called the tunica albuginea. The spongy tissue contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins, and arteries. The urethra, which is the channel for urine and ejaculate, runs along the underside of the corpora cavernosa and is surrounded by the corpus spongiosum.

Erection begins with sensory or mental stimulation, or both. Impulses from the brain and local nerves cause the muscles of the corpora cavernosa to relax, allowing blood to flow in and fill the spaces. The blood creates pressure in the corpora cavernosa, making the penis expand. The tunica albuginea helps trap the blood in the corpora cavernosa, thereby sustaining erection. When muscles in the penis contract to stop the inflow of blood and open outflow channels, erection is reversed.

Figure 1. Arteries (top) and veins (bottom) penetrate the long, filled cavities running the length of the penis—the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum. Erection occurs when relaxed muscles allow the corpora cavernosa to fill with excess blood fed by the arteries, while drainage of blood through the veins is blocked.

Source: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse