What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain a normal erection during sexual intercourse. Having trouble with erection sometimes during sex is not a concern, but if you have erectile dysfunction for a long time, it can affect your self-esteem and cause stress. It may also affect your relationship with your partner [1]. If you are having a problem getting or keeping an erection, it may be a significant symptom of erectile dysfunction. It may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders and needs proper medical assistance.

 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of ED?

Following are the common signs and symptoms of erectile dysfunction [2]:

• Difficulty in getting an erection during sexual intercourse
• Difficulty in keeping an erection during sex.
• Decreased desire for sex and intimacy.

 

 

What are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?

The different number of physical and psychological factors influence erectile dysfunction, including [3]:

Psychological factors:

• Mental health disorders: Depression, performance anxiety, stress, and the impaired signal from the brain may cause erectile dysfunction.
• Relationship problems: Disturbed relationship with the partner may be a significant cause of ED.

 

Physical factors:

Cardiovascular disorders: ED may be caused by the insufficient blood supply to the penis due to blocked or narrowed arteries.  Atherosclerosis may be a risk factor for erectile dysfunction.

• Neurological diseases: Nerve supply to the penis may be damaged and cause  ED.
• Multiple sclerosis
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Parkinson’s disease
• Insomnia
• Injury or trauma
• Side effects of drugs
• Peyronie’s disease: Development of scar tissue in the penis.

Erectile dysfunction may be due to many health disorders. You should consult your physician to diagnose or treat any underlying health disorder.

 

How is Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosed?

Erectile dysfunction can be diagnosed through physical examination, medical history, and sexual history. The physician prescribes many additional biochemical tests to identify the actual cause of the ED. Additional tests of ED include urine tests, ultrasound, blood tests, and nocturnal penile tumescence test [4].

 

What are the Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction?

The treatment option for ED depends upon the underlying health disorder that may be the root cause of the ED. Following are some commonly available options [5]:

Medication therapy:

Your doctor will prescribe medications for the management of the symptoms of ED. Many medications that will stimulate and increase blood flow to the penis:

• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Avanafil (Stendra)
• Sildenafil (Viagra)

 

Psychological therapy:

The psychological causes of ED that need treatment include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You can use relationship counseling if ED affects your relationship with your partner.

 

Vacuum pumps:

The vacuum pump is a device that pumps blood toward the penis by creating a vacuum, and it causes an erection of the penis. The pump’s elastic ring will help you keep an erection by holding the blood in the penis for a long time. It will help you to get an erection for 30 minutes.

 

 

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5027992/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/#:~:text=Besides%20cardiovascular%20disease%2C%20there%20are,%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20premature%20ejaculation.&text=Hyperlipidemia%20is%20found%20in%20about%2042%25%20of%20men%20with%20ED.
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/#:~:text=The%20main%20differential%20diagnosis%20for,disease%20as%20well%20as%20depression.
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27929275/

 

 

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