Millions of American men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, and a growing number of them are under the age of 40. Erection problems, if caught early, can often be resolved by switching to a heart-healthy diet and making physical activity an integral part of your daily routine.
Although it’s a bit of a stereotype, many men take a somewhat stoic approach to illness in general and to this uniquely intimate problem in particular.
Although their problems of sexual dysfunction are nothing new to their doctors who would happily address the topic, many men are reluctant to discuss this intimate topic. For those curious about the causes of — and treatments for — ED, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Q: What are the primary causes of erectile dysfunction?
A: Healthline.com lists five common causes of ED, some of which can be successfully treated and resolved through lifestyle modification or medical intervention. At the top of Healthline’s list, although not necessarily the biggest single cause, are endocrine diseases, which usually manifest as some sort of hormonal imbalance that negatively affects sexual function. Type 2 diabetes is perhaps the biggest culprit in this category. Next up are neurological and nerve disorders, which can include tumors of the brain or spine, multiple sclerosis, temporal lobe epilepsy, and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Third on Healthline’s list are medications that interfere with normal erectile function.
This cause can sometimes be easily addressed by substituting a drug that has no adverse effect on erectile function for one that does, but such changes should never be made without a doctor’s consent. Although it’s fourth on Healthline’s list, cardiac-related causes, which include atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and elevated blood cholesterol levels, are collectively considered the single biggest cause of ED because they interfere with blood flow to the penis. The final cause cited by Healthline is lifestyle factors and emotional disorders. Lifestyle factors include diet, exercise, weight, smoking, and other such behaviors, all of which are readily treated in patients with a will to do so. Emotional disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and stress often require help from a psychological counselor to help the patient to identify underlying causes and to address them.
Q: I know smoking is bad for my lungs, but I don’t see how it would affect my erectile function.
A: Smoking is bad for virtually every aspect of your health and can lead to diseases that are life-threatening. However, its most direct effect on erectile function comes from its negative impact on endothelial function. Lining the inner walls of arteries throughout your body is a single layer of cells known as the endothelium. The endothelium plays a key role in controlling blood flow through expansion and restriction. The optimal erectile function requires dilation of the arteries that supply the penis, an operation that breaks down when the endothelium is damaged, such as that caused by smoking.
Q: What role do diet and nutrition play in preserving healthy erectile function?
A: As already mentioned, optimal erectile function depends on robust blood flow to the penis. Eating a fast-food diet and spending most of your leisure time on the couch can put you on the fast track to developing atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty plaques on the inner walls of arteries. Eventually, this clogging of the arteries is reflected in the emergence of erection problems, which will grow worse if changes aren’t made. Worse yet, these clogged arteries may eventually cut off the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. If the ill effects of your poor diet and sedentary lifestyle haven’t gone too far, you can reverse them, at least in part, by switching to a heart-healthy diet and beginning to exercise on a regular basis.
Q: Can Viagra and the other medications like it treat all forms of ED?
A: Viagra and the other drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors are designed to temporarily restore erectile function to men whose ED is caused by insufficient blood flow to the penis. These drugs would be of little help to men whose erection problems are psychological in origin or to those suffering from congenital or traumatic injuries to their genitals. Those injuries could be addressed through surgical intervention. To get back to the point of the question, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn, and Stendra are known as PDE5 inhibitors because they temporarily disable an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase-5, which can interfere with optimal blood flow to the penis.
Q: Lately I seem to have lost my interest in sex, and I’m wondering what, if anything, can be done about it?
A: A loss of interest in sex is definitely a barrier to optimal erectile function. Why get an erection if you’re not that interested in using it? However, there may well be helpful for your problem. A good place to start might be with your regular doctor who can order a blood test that measures the levels of testosterone in your body. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, but while it has no direct role in the election process, it plays a big part in the regulation of sexual desire.
If your T-levels are low, particularly for your age, replacement therapy could help to fire up your libido again. However, if T-levels are normal and you still have no real desire for sex, it’s likely that psychological factors are at work. To address those, you’ll need to seek out the services of a competent psychological counselor.
If you suffer from the most common type of ED, that caused by inadequate circulation to the penis, you may be a good candidate for medications like Viagra and Cialis. eDrugstore.com sells prescription Viagra, Cialis, their FDA-approved generic counterparts, and other prescription ED medications with outstanding convenience, discretion, and customer service. You can start your order now by visiting eDrugstore.com.
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