What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection of sufficient rigidity for sexual intercourse. This condition can lead to a diminished sense of satisfactory sexual relations and personal well-being. Over time, it can even affect one's quality of life. Even though ED is a common condition affecting young and older people, men of all ages should know that ED can be treated and managed.
Many treatment options are available, and the proper treatment depends on several things. This article will help you understand the various treatment options available. Before getting there, it is essential to know what causes ED.
Table of Contents
1. Physical Issues
Adequate blood flow is required to achieve and maintain an erection. Cardiovascular problems cause the heart to malfunction, leading to insufficient blood circulation around the body. Conditions such as high cholesterol and atherosclerosis impede blood flow causing insufficient supply to the penile region. In addition to this, obesity causes a reduction in the testosterone levels present in your body, leading to erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, nerve damage, sometimes caused by excessive masturbation, will cause you to have reduced sensitivity levels, directly correlating to the inability to get arousal.
2. Emotional and Psychological Issues
Stress and anxiety contribute to the release of stress hormones. Cortisol is one of the most abundant hormones released and causes vascular constriction. Blood flow becomes sparse, and as a result, you will be unable to achieve an erection. Depression, on the other hand, affects the functioning of your body as a whole. It is known that depression can inhibit the hormone testosterone, causing this to be lowered. As a result, vessel constriction is triggered, and blood flow is inhibited.
3. Medication that can cause ED
Certain medications, such as antidepressants, affect hormonal production. This is especially true of SSRIs. Sexual problems are known to occur after long-term use of these medications. The association between depression and sexual disorders is sustained for at least two years after discontinuation of the antidepressants; caution can minimize this effect.
ED Treatment Options
ED can cause you to live a lesser quality of life and can make it difficult to have relationships, family, and friends. Many ED patients experience depression and anxiety due to their condition, and they often cannot believe that they will recover from it. This cannot be further from the truth. There are many remedies for getting rid of erectile dysfunction, thus bringing you back to the lifestyle you enjoyed before your condition. ED is not a death sentence, and it is essential to give yourself confidence in the treatment options highlighted here and to follow the recommendations made by your doctor.
1. Lifestyle Change
Lifestyle change is amongst the most important and effective treatments for ED. It is also a relatively simple process as long-term effects are attributed to the alterations in lifestyle. Exercise is critical in lifestyle change treatment as patients are instructed to participate in cardiovascular exercises, weight training, and muscle-building activity. These increase testosterone levels, thus enhancing blood flow to your penile region. Kegel exercises target the pelvic floor muscles by tightening them, thus improving erectile function.
Another lifestyle improvement you can adopt is to eat healthily. You are what you eat, and the foods you eat impact your overall health. Fatty, processed foods are undesirable as they will lead to obesity, which will, in turn, lower testosterone in your body. It would be wise to include vegetables, fruits, and lean protein in your diet as these are high in nutrients and low in fat, contributing toward a healthier body.
Smoking and alcohol consumption are lifestyle choices that will impact your overall health. It is crucial to drastically reduce your smoking and alcohol intake as they both contribute to impotence. Smoking narrows blood vessels through the action of nicotine which is a vasoconstrictor. Finally, getting enough sleep will lead to improved hormone production, thus helping combat erectile dysfunction.
2. Natural Supplements Intake and Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional mode of treatment that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific body parts. This mode of treatment works by stimulating the release of hormones such as testosterone and neurotransmitters as well, consequently enhancing blood flow. In addition, acupuncture reduces the level of stress in your body which is a vital aspect of improving sexual function. Natural supplements also serve to improve overall blood circulation in the body. L-arginine is an amino acid in dairy, meats, and legumes. L-arginine helps increase nitric oxide levels, thus promoting the relaxation of blood vessels and improving blood flow. Panax ginseng is a supplement extracted from the root of Asian ginseng. It is a herb that has been used for centuries as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Ginseng is rich in nutrients and has been shown to enhance testosterone production, thereby counteracting ED.
3. Medications for ED
Viagra is a well-known remedy for ED. It belongs to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase inhibitors. These medications cause the blood vessels to relax in preparation for sexual intercourse. They achieve this by inhibiting the breakdown of cGMP, a molecule that assists a man in achieving and retaining an erection. In addition, these medications promote the production of nitric oxide, a vasodilating agent. Medications like Viagra and Tadalafil are generally very safe to use, and they will improve your sexual health. However, this should not be misconstrued to mean that they are risk-free. Always consult your doctor before you start on any medications, especially when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs.
Furthermore, using these drugs recreationally could lead to an interaction with other drugs and medical conditions, thus producing adverse side effects. Additionally, careless usage can lead to psychological dependence, which harms your sexual health. For these reasons, you should always use performance-enhancing drugs while under the observation of a healthcare professional.
4. Devices for ED
There are multiple devices designed to help men who have erectile dysfunction. These include vacuum erection devices and rings. Vacuum erection devices use suction to draw blood into your penile tissues, thereby generating an erection. In many cases, the erection can be sustained by placing a ring at the base of your penis. A vacuum erection device typically requires a plastic cylinder and a pump to create suction.
5. Surgical Methods
Implantable devices provide mechanical support for an erection. Penile implants are a popular type of implantable device that performs this function. Penile implants are fitted surgically into the penis of a man and come in two types, inflatable and non-inflatable penile implants. An inflatable penile implant consists of cylinders surgically implanted into your penis and a pump implanted into your scrotum. When the need for an erection arises, you can initiate the pump to fill the cylinders with saline, causing your penis to be firm. A non-inflatable penis implant is made of two rods implanted into your penis. When you want to achieve an erection, you can manually adjust the position of your penis. An erectile dysfunction doctor in Las Vegas can advise you on which implantable device is best for you.
Erectile Dysfunction Near Me
Las Vegas is home to some of the very best ED doctors. An ED doctor in Las Vegas will ask to consult you first to understand your plight and then assess you further through a physical examination to establish the nature of your problem. Las Vegas ED is home to unparalleled resources and expertise, all aimed at helping you regain full sexual function. An erectile dysfunction doctor in Las Vegas at HEALOR can find you the best solution from treatment options tailored to you. Bearing this in mind, you must take actionable steps to secure a healthy future. So, a good question would be to ask, "How do I find an erectile dysfunction center near me?"
The answer to this is relatively simple. All you have to do is look up entrusted professionals, and as soon as you make that phone call, you will be on course to achieving a better life.
