Most men will experience some form of impotence in their lifetime, and the likelihood of developing symptoms increases with age and declining health.
Did you know that certain medical condition may be responsible for ED? Some causes of impotence are medically treatable and reversible. Learn more about what can be done about erectile dysfunction with the Impotence Quiz.
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Erectile dysfunction is a type of sexual dysfunction that’s characterized by the inability to develop or sustain a penile erection. Normally, an erection occurs when blood vessels in the penis relax and open up, allowing blood to rush through and fill the area. The blood is then trapped because of the added pressure, which causes an erection. An erection is reversed when the muscles in the penis begin to contract, which stops the inflow of blood and pressure.
ED can often occur as a result of diabetes. A study of type-1 and type-2 diabetics with ED found that erectile dysfunction in 30% of the subjects was connected to DHEA deficiency. The results of this study suggest that possibly a third of men with diabetes-related ED could treat their ED using DHEA.
Erectile dysfunction can cause stress, self-confidence, and relationship problems. It's no wonder men are embarrassed to talk about it and often seek solutions on their own. Urologist Dr. John Smith says a majority of th... View More in Health Feed Site Links Find an Interpreter About Us Academics & Research Billing Jobs Giving Maps & Directions Newsroom Referring Providers Helpful Links Patient Rights & Responsibilities Disclaimer Privacy Statement DNV GL Public Information Policy Statement Non-Discrimination Policy Surprise Billing Rights Webmaster Facebook Twitter Youtube
If natural remedies aren’t helping your sexual health problems, you might want to consider treatments, such as sildenafil or tadalafil, that work by encouraging blood flow, making it easier to maintain an erection.
A wealth of research has gone into finding effective treatments for male sexual health issues. Evidence-based methods of treatment for both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are widely available and can even be purchased online.
There are hundreds of medications that have the side effect of ED and/or decreased libido. Examples of drugs implicated as a cause of ED include hydrochlorothiazides and beta-blocking agents. Medications used to treat depression, particularly the SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft), may also contribute to ED.9 Bupropion (Wellbutrin) which has a predominant effect on blocking the reuptake of dopamine is an antidepressant with lower incidence of ED.10 The side effects of 5ARIs occurring in fewer than 5% of patients can include gynaecomastia, ED, loss of libido and ejaculatory dysfunction.11
Sildenafil (sildenafil citrate) is prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Avanafil can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking sildenafil (Viagra) or other drugs similar to avanafil. Most of these people also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoked or were over 50 years old. It is not clear whether avanafil is the actual cause of vision loss.
Taking poppers (amyl nitrite) with tadalafil can have a dangerous effect on your heart.
When used as advised by a medical professional, these treatments are safe and may help men secure more satisfying sex lives.
Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called impotence, is the inability to get and keep an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse.
The pathogenesis of organic ED is related to dysfunction of the endothelium. Endothelial cells can become injured through a variety of mechanisms, most of which cause oxidative stress on the tissues. Many of these causes of oxidative stress are related to lifestyle issues which lead to hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia (figure 1). Endothelial cell dysfunction results in reduction of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation as well as increased adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium. Endothelial cell injury then leads to a variety of sequelae, including ED, other types of vasoconstriction, atherosclerosis and thrombus formation.18
Many men experience erectile dysfunction intermittently, especially during times of stress. If it is a recurring event, however, it can signal an underlying medical or emotional issue. This should be addressed by a healthcare professional.
Managing other health conditions and making the necessary lifestyle changes are important to help overcome erectile dysfunction. That’s why our team at the Male Infertility & Sexual Health Program at UH uses a specialized, team-based approach to deliver expert and highly individual ED care.