Viagra Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Cause of Erectile Dysfunction
(Understanding the Causes of Erectile
Dysfunction)
Erectile Dysfunction or Erectile Dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for mutually satisfying both partners. The incidence of Erectile Dysfunction correlates with an individuals age Erectile Dysfunction effects some 67% of men by the age of 70 years old. Erectile Dysfunction impacts more than a man's sexual activity. The emotions and uncertainties that coincide with this condition often have a significant effect on a man's self-esteem, as well as, his relationship with his partner. Although the incidence of Erectile Dysfunction increases with age, it is not an inevitable result of aging. Erectile Dysfunction causes may be a secondary condition linked to many medical conditions.
The first step in treating
Erectile Dysfunction is that you understand
the cause of Erectile Dysfunction including the psychology, physiology and anatomy
responsible for the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. If an you
can comprehend cause of Erectile Dysfunction than you can better understand the factors
that are responsible for Erectile Dysfunction and find the most appropriate
male Erectile Dysfunction treatment option.
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Normal Erectile Function
(Understand the normal erection physiology.)
For something that appears so natural, an erection is a rather complicated
process involving the coordination of the psychological, neurological and
cardiovascular systems.
The penis becomes erect following a series of events
if any of these systems are compromised then Erectile
Dysfunction may prevail. In the
normal erection process without Erectile Dysfunction symptoms, first, the nerves are
stimulated, a sensation known as arousal.
Next no matter what the nature of the stimulus, visual, mental
or physical the brain coordinates the following series of events:
Nerve
impulses transverse the length of the spinal cord to the pudendal nerve
and on to the penis. Smooth muscle within the walls of the penile arteries
respond by relaxing. Subsequently, the penile arteries dilate allowing up
to eight times more blood to flow into the corpora cavernosum, (two parallel
cylinders that transverse the length of the penis).
The
cavernosum become engorged with blood expanding and lengthening the penis.
The expanding tissue then exerts a positive pressure compressing the veins
that normally empty the blood from the penis, maintaining the blood in the
penile tissue. When ejaculation occurs or when arousal is discontinued the
penis returns to its non-erect state.
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Natural Occurring Erectile Dysfunction Causes
Historically, when you consulted your doctor concerning Erectile Dysfunction you would be informed there were no known physiological answers concerning your condition. Today, a generation of research has resulted in significant advances in both the diagnosis and treatment of Erectile Dysfunction . Doctors now understand that approximately 85% of Erectile Dysfunction is caused by physical/organic conditions while only 15% is due to psychological or mixed origin (both psychological and organic). Some important causes of physiological Erectile Dysfunction are as follows:
Erectile
Dysfunction Caused By Vascular Disease
Vascular
Disease is the leading cause of Erectile Dysfunction. Vascular disorders include arteriosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries), hypertension, hyper-cholestremia and other
conditions which interfere with the blood flow to the penis. Additionally,
"venous leakage", a condition occurring when the penile veins
are unable to constrict efficiently during an erection, also contributes
to poor erections. When these veins "leak", blood escapes to the
periphery resulting in a poor erection.
Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Diabetes is another common cause of
Erectile Dysfunction. Approximately 50% of men with insulin dependent diabetes experience
some degree of Erectile Dysfunction after 55 years old. Diabetes results in poor circulation
and/or peripheral neuropathy. When the nerves are involved, sexual stimuli
are not transmitted appropriately to or from the brain and
Erectile Dysfunction develops.
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Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Endocrine System
Deficiencies in the Endocrine System are another cause of
Erectile Dysfunction. Low
levels of testosterone or thyroid hormone can interfere with the stimulation
process necessary in the erection sequence. Excessive production of prolactin
by the pituitary gland may contribute to decreased levels of testosterone
resulting in a lack of desire.
Diabetes once again enters the scenario as
it is classified as an endocrine disorder.
Erectile
Dysfunction
Treatment for a variety of Erectile Dysfunction causes.
Erectile Dysfunction can now
be successfully treated. For detailed Erectile
Dysfunction treatment information (click here for details).
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Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Prescription Drugs (Prescription drugs cause Erectile Dysfunction as a side effect.)
Some two hundred known medications are know to cause Erectile Dysfunction including:
Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Anti-hypertensives Dugs:
Beta-blocker
medications e.g. Atenolol, Propanolol and Tenorium.
Diuretics
medications e.g. HydroDiuril and Lasix.
Ace
Inhibitors/Calcium Channel Blockers medications e.g. Vasotec®, Lotension®,
Cardizem® and Norvasc® periodically cause Erectile Dysfunction ,
however, they are generally represent an excellent alternative medication
for individuals with drug induced Erectile Dysfunction.
Erectile
Dysfunction Caused By Antidepressant/Antipsychotic Medications -of almost any label can also result in
Erectile Dysfunction e.g. Prozac®, Elavil®,
Zoloft®, Thorazine® and Haldol®. Note: Many other medications
in a variety of classes can periodically cause
Erectile Dysfunction. If you take a prescription
medication or an over-the-counter medication, regularly,
please consult with your doctor to see if the drugs you
are taking are the cause of your Erectile Dysfunction
symptoms.
Erectile
Dysfunction Caused By LH-RH Analogs/Antiandrogen Medications e.g. Lupron Depot®, Eulexin®, Nilandron®, Casodex®, etc.
are medications are used in the treatment of prostate cancer. They function
by decreasing the production of testosterone in the testes and adrennal
glands, which decrease in testosterone often results in
Erectile Dysfunction.
Please Note: Do not alter a dosage or discontinue a medication without the advice
of your doctor.
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Erectile
Dysfunction Caused by Smoking
(Smoking is a significant cause of Erectile
Dysfunction.)
Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Smoking - Smoking as been linked as an Erectile Dysfunction cause in numerous clinical studies.
The nicotine in cigarettes causes of contraction of smooth muscle in the arteries of the penis which results in less blood flow to the penis, hence, Erectile Dysfunction symptoms.
After smoking two cigarettes, the diameter of the internal pudendal artery narrows and the penile arteries almost completely close. This evidence proves that smoking can cause an acute vasospastic constriction of the arteries in the penis. These observations are supported by physiological evidence that nicotine causes acute peripheral vasoconstriction. Acute Vasospasm of Penile Arteries in Response to Cigarette Smoking. Urology 1990; 36(1):99-100
Researchers
have proven
that male smokers who suffer from long standing hypertension are 26 times
more likely to be impotent than those individuals who do not smoke. April
2008, The Journal of Family Practice.
Aside from Erectile Dysfunction, smoking as also been linked to the following negative effect concerning male sexual health:
Reduced
volume of ejaculation
Lowered
sperm count
Abnormal
sperm shape
Impaired
sperm motility
In addtion, common causes of the organic component of Erectile Dysfunction are vascular abnormalities associated with atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Atherosclerosis causes 40% of cases of Erectile Dysfunction, and in cases of diabetes mellitus the prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction is 50%. Smoking is significantly associated with the development of both atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus.
The Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of
Erectile Dysfunction.
The Journal of Urology 2008 November; 161(1):5-11
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Additional Events That Can Cause
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Chemotherapy/Radiation therapy is also a significant contributors to Erectile Dysfunction. These drugs/treatments are used in the treatment of cancer.
Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Substance Abuse can also negatively effect male potency. The chronic use of cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, steroids etc. often results in Erectile Dysfunction, as well as a decrease in desire. Excessive tobacco use can also attribute to Erectile Dysfunction by accentuating the effects of other risk factor such as vascular disease or hypertension.
Erectile Dysfunction Caused By Radical Pelvic Surgery also result in Erectile Dysfunction. Surgical procedures involving the prostate gland, bladder or colon may interfere with the nerves involved in the erectile response. Radiation therapy for cancer may also effect the erectile process.
Psychological Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Psychological Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction is usually diagnosed when no physical causes can be defined. Pure psychological Erectile Dysfunction usually occurs suddenly without warning as opposed to physical Erectile Dysfunction that may gradually develop over the years.
Performance
anxiety is one of the most common causes of psychological
Erectile Dysfunction -when
a man feels pressured to achieve or maintain an erection, he will commonly
become anxious and nervous when in a sexually demanding situation.
Stress
as a cause of Erectile Dysfunction -increases the body's production of catecholamines such as adrenaline and
nor- adrenaline, which act as erection inhibitors. The release of these
inhibitors further contributes to failure resulting in more anxiety. Therefore,
the cycle begins, increased stress resulting in increased catecholomines
that further inhibits the erectile process.
Depression
is another cause of Erectile Dysfunction - unfortunately, many of the popular
antidepressant medications (please see section that
addresses prescription drugs that have side effects that
can cause Erectile Dysfunction
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Erectile Dysfunction Caused
By Peyronies Disease
Anatomical Deviation of the Penis, known as Peyronie's Disease, may also
cause Erectile Dysfunction. This condition usually develops from an inflammatory process
and results in fibrous scaring of the penis. The cause of this process is
not yet understood; however, when an erection does occur, there is a bending
of the penis secondary to the scar tissue. This curvature may interfere
with erectile capacity and/or ejaculation.
Fortunately, Peyronies disease is a rare condition that is not a common
cause of Erectile Dysfunction symptoms. However, if you feel you may have Peyronies
disease you should visit your local Urologist.
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Proven Treatment For Erectile Dysfunction
Fortunately,
there are now very effective treatment options for a variety of
Erectile Dysfunction
causes. Read a complete guide to treating Erectile
Dysfunction
(click here for details).
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