Sexual Health Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction

Sexual Health Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction

Nothing compares to the emotional trauma and loss of self-esteem a man may experience once he discovers that in the middle of a passionate activity is his inability to keep his tool in a fighting stance. If such inability happens more often than usual, then the man is experiencing erectile dysfunction.Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called “impotence,” is a male sexual health problem characterized by the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm and sufficient enough for sexual intercourse. The word “impotence” may also be used to describe a variety of sexual health problems that may hinder sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual drive, desire or interest, and difficulty with attaining ejaculation or orgasm. Erectile dysfunction, or ED, may be classified into mild, moderate and severe. Mild ED is the tendency to only have brief erections. Moderate ED is an irregular ability to sustain erection while severe ED is a complete or total inability to achieve erection — a condition which can be emotionally crippling and cause damage to one’s relationships.Causes of Erectile DysfunctionFor a penis to achieve erection, there must be a sensory or mental stimulation, or both. Impulses from the brain and nervous system will cause the penis muscle to expand and allow blood flow. The blood flow to the penis is what actually causes the male reproductive organ to expand. The trapping of blood in the penis is what enables an erection to take place. Once these sequence of events is disrupted, erectile dysfunction occurs.There are various physical and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction. Among the most common physical cause of ED is injury or damage to the nerve that impairs or reduce blood flow to the penis. Same is true with prostate and bladder injuries, spinal trauma, pelvic surgery and radiation therapy which can harm the nerves, weaken the muscles, arteries and fibrous tissues of the penis. Unhealthy conditions like being overweight, penile deformity or Peyronie’s Disease, as well as hormonal disorders such as having low testosterone are also possible causes of ED.Most common psychological conditions linked to erectile dysfunction are stress, anxiety, guilt, fear of sexual failure, and depression. Unhealthy habits such as smoking or lack of exercise may also raise the risk of ED.In some cases, erectile dysfunction can also be a symptom of a variety of diseases and illness such as diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurological disease. Men who are getting treatment for hypertension and depression may also experience erectile dysfunction. The intake of medications such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine (an ulcer drug) have also been know to cause ED-like side effects.TreatmentThough erectile dysfunction may be common in men over 40, it is a condition that can be treated and is not considered as an inevitable. ED awareness has been growing and a lot of men are now seeking help due to scientific innovations and the availability of effective treatments.The nature and degree of a man’s sexual health problem can be defined by undergoing physical examination and laboratory tests. Medical history can help reveal diseases that may lead to erectile dysfunction and awareness of sexual activity can also give clues to as to the extent of ED problems.For mild ED, oral medication may be enough and must be taken when necessary. For moderate ED or those who do not respond to oral medication, injection therapy is an option. This may cause a slight pain as a drug called prostaglandin E1 is injected through the shaft of the penis using a thin syringe with a very tiny needle. The penis will achieve erection in just 10-15 minutes. For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary with the use of a synthetic mechanical device that is implanted into the spongy tissue of the penis. A small cut is made at the junction between the penis and the scrotum and the three-piece device is inserted into the penis: the inflatable rods, the balloon reservoir and the pump. Erectile dysfunction caused by psychological conditions is treated with techniques that decrease the anxiety associated with sexual intercourse. It requires gradual development of intimacy and stimulation involving the patient’s partner.