Healthcare Advocates

Erectile Dysfunction Problem

Erectile dysfunction (ED, "male impotence") is sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis during sexual performance.

Erection occurs when the person is sexually excited as a result it occurs as hydraulic as the blood enters and retains in the sponge-like bodies within the penis. This occurs as a result of sexual arousal when signals are transmitted from brain to nerves to the pelvis. Erectile dysfunction is considered when the person is completely unable to have erection or consistently finds it difficult or impossible to have erection despite of sexual arousal.

At times there are different causes for the erectile dysfunction but this is underlying due to multiple causes. Some of these problems are treatable. The main causes of the erectile dysfunction are the organic causes such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, neurological problems like trauma from prostatectomy surgery, and hormonal insufficiencies. One of the common causes is the drug side effects. It is essential to understand the reason of the erectile dysfunction. There is also possibility that it is an underlying signal for cardiovascular disease.

There is possibility that due to the primary psychological or relation problems also one can develop erectile dysfunction. There are people who are not able to talk about their relation problems with people and this can affect their body functioning, one of them can be the erectile dysfunction. Psychological impotence is one of the main causes where erection or penetration fails as there is lack of feelings and thoughts that make them feel secured. Psychological reasons are main factors more than the physical problems.

Erectile dysfunction occurs when there is a strong cultural and social silence and the person is unable to share the problems with anyone. According to the survey, one in ten men experience recurring impotence problems some point in their lives.

Medication

Medications carry risk of priapism.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases constitute a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of the cyclic nucleotides cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. They exist in different molecular forms and are unevenly distributed throughout the body.

One of the forms of phosphodiesterase is termed PDE5. The prescription PDE5 inhibitors sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are prescription drugs which are taken orally. They work by blocking the action of PDE5, which causes cGMP to degrade.

Alprostadil in combination with the permeation enhancer DDAIP has been approved in Canada under the brand name Vitaros as a topical cream first line treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Gene therapy is being developed that would allow for weeks or months long effect, supporting erections. This gene therapy involves injection of a transfer gene, calcium-sensitive potassium channel (hMaxi-K), into the penis.

Injection Therapy

Another treatment regimen is injection therapy. One of the following drugs is injected into the penis: Papaverine, Phentolamine, and Prostaglandin E1.

Surgery

Often, as a last resort if other treatments have failed, the most common procedure is prosthetic implants which involves the insertion of artificial rods into the penis.

Devices

Vacuum Therap The device helps draw blood into the penis by applying negative pressure. This type of device is sometimes referred to as penis pump and may be used just prior to sexual intercourse. Several types of FDA approved vacuum therapy devices are available with a doctor's prescription.