About UsCareersEditorial PolicyNewslettersPrivacy PolicyHealth NewsAccessibility StatementTerms of UseContact UsFeedbackDo Not Sell My Personal InformationPopular Topics More From Everyday Health: Castle Connolly Top DoctorsDailyOMDiabetes DailyMigraine Again
The role of the endothelium in erectile function became clearer with the observation that the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, sildenafil, enhanced erectile function. Erection occurs with the release of nitric oxide (NO) from the vascular endothelial cells.17 The reduction in endothelial cell production of NO results in the negative impact on the smooth muscles in the corporal bodies and results in less relaxation of the smooth muscle cells with decrease in blood supply and resulting ED. A similar phenomenon is well known to impact the coronary arterial system resulting in CVD.
.
The foods you eat can have a direct impact on erectile dysfunction, Dr. Mucher says. A diet rich in fruit, veggies, whole grains, and fish, and with fewer servings of red meat and refined grains, decreases the risk for ED.
By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time. Current Opinion in Urology: "Testosterone Therapy Improves Erectile Function and Libido in Hypogonadal Men." The Journal of Sexual Medicine: "Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Changes on Erectile Dysfunction in Men." National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health Information Center: "Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction." The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Symptoms and Causes of Erectile Dysfunction."
VIAGRA, REVATIO, and CARDURA are registered trademarks of Viatris Specialty LLC, a Viatris Company.
The first things doctors usually prescribe to men with erectile dysfunction are pills like:
The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial was a landmark study by Thompson et al that prospectively assessed the time to developing CVD after the diagnosis of ED. There were 4247 men with no ED at study entry; 2420 developed incident ED (defined as the first report of ED of any grade) over 5 years. Those men that developed ED had a 1.45-fold higher probability of experiencing a CV event compared with men who did not develop ED.27
Coronary Artery DiseaseCoronary artery disease (CAD) and ED frequently occur concomitantly due to mutual risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. In men with CAD, the incidence of ED is estimated to be 42% to 57%. Because the primary cause of ED is vasculogenic, ED can precede CAD, stroke, and peripheral artery disease by an average of 3 years.27,28 The package insert for PDE5Is cautions providers about using these agents in patients with uncontrolled hypertension (>170/100 mmHg), CAD with unstable angina, or a history of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or life-threatening arrhythmia within the past 6 months.8-11 The primary concern with using PDE5Is in these patients is that the physical demands of intercourse could provoke a CV event.
Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological issues causes erectile dysfunction. For instance, a minor physical condition that slows your sexual response might cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting anxiety can lead to or worsen erectile dysfunction.
If your erection problems have a medical cause, your doctor can explain the treatment options, the techniques needed to make them work and their suitability for your needs based on your overall health.
With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
Other factors that “stress” the body can also increase your risk for ED. These include: substance abuse, using marijuana, smoking cigarettes, depression, anxiety and low self esteem. Cigarette smoking — or using nicotine — leads to constricted blood vessels, which has negative effects for sexual health. Other mental/emotional obstacles can cause less desire for sex and decrease testosterone. Several ways to help manage stress include: Popular Posts All Time This Week More Health Researchers Try to Nail Down Ideal Amount of Sleep One of the most underrated aspects of health is sleep despite the ... Read More Dangerous Cleaning Products Emit Radiation 3,000 Times Above Safe Level Usually when we talk about dangerous cleaning products, things like bleach and ... Swimmer’s Ear Causes & Natural Remedies Although children most often develop swimmer’s ear from swimming outdoors in oceans ... Research Examines Optimal Time of Day for Exercise for Women, Men The benefits of exercise are undeniable, no matter when you decide to ... Dr. Axe on Facebook 2.8M Dr. Axe on Instagram 761K Dr. Axe on Youtube 2M Dr. Axe on Pinterest 585K
Use Viagra (Sildenafil (Injection)) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Erectile dysfunction is not new in either medicine or human experience, but it is often not easily or openly discussed. Cultural expectations of male sexuality inhibit many men from seeking help for a disorder that can usually benefit from medical treatment.
Written documentation from the patient's family doctor was required to ensure that they were not on any nitrate medication, and lipid abnormality and thyroid, renal, hepatic, and haematological disease were excluded by screening blood tests.
If you have a neurological disorder or spinal cord injury and other erectile dysfunction treatments aren’t effective, two types of surgical implants could offer solutions to your ED. “An implantable pump can be used to manually create an erection by pumping fluid into cylinders placed inside the penis,” explains Feloney. “The other option is a malleable prosthesis that works like a gooseneck lamp to direct the penis into position for intercourse." Risks for these ED treatments include infection and mechanical breakdown.
"For men who are unwilling or unable to self-inject alprostadil, the FDA has approved this dissolvable pellet that can be inserted directly into the urethra, the opening of the penis," says Dr. Feloney. MUSE, with an inspiring name that actually stands for medicated urethral system for erection, will trigger an erection in about 10 minutes that may last as long as an hour. Using MUSE to treat ED can result in somewhat unpleasant side effects, however — including an aching sensation, burning, redness, and minor bleeding.