A little bit about Erectile Dysfunction

Overview An Erectile Dysfunction is a condition where a male is unable to have or to keep a rigid (hard) penis during sexual activity. According to National Institutes of Health in 2002 ED affects an estimated 15 million to 30 million men in the United States. ED can occur at any ages; however it is uncommon for a young male to have ED. People over the age of 65 are more common to have ED.

Causes Erectile Dysfunction has many causes such as disease, injury or side effect of drugs. Someone with diabetes (high blood sugar), hypertension (high blood pressure), or atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) has an increased risk of developing ED. Injury that involves spinal cord damage or some nerves damage in pelvic can also causes ED. In addition, many common medicines—blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine (an ulcer drug)—can produce ED as a side effect.

Diagnose Diagnoses are made by doctor after asking questions and having some physical exams. Common laboratory test such as complete blood counts, urinalysis, blood glucose levels are often needed to evaluate ED.

Treatment ED is a curable condition. There are various treatments for ED depends on what is causing it. Some people need a more advance treatment like surgery to repair arteries; others might only need to take some prescribed medicine like Sildenafil Citrate. Let your doctor decide which one is best for you.

Friday, January 5, 2007

Erectile Dysfunction and Age

by Britto Alex

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual activity. The ability to achieve “ erection stiffness sufficient for penetration and intercourse ” decreases with age.

Of men aged 50-80 years, 30% suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED). In the age group 70-80 years, approximately 50% are unable to achieve erection sufficient for intercourse without treatment. As a result, many men, wrongly accept Erectile Dysfunction as a normal part of the aging process and do not seek or receive adequate advice or treatment.

Researchers have found that while sexual prowess gradually diminishes with age, men should expect to be able to enjoy sex well into their later years. All men experience temporary periods of ED at some time in their lives, and these need not cause alarm. A large number of men (10 million) suffer from more long-lasting impotence.

As aging increases, desire may not always result in sexual excitement. The triggers for sexual excitement become more specifically sexual and may require intimate body contact and manual stimulation. The intensity of sexual fantasies decreases and it may take a man longer to achieve an erection and following ejaculation more time before an erection is possible. Men often notice some distinct changes, like increased time required to produce a full erection.

The erection may not be as firm or as large as in earlier years.A decrease in the time that erections can be maintained prior to ejaculation.A decrease in the force of ejaculation, and an increase in the duration of the refractory phase.

The feeling that an ejaculation is about to happen may be shorter.The loss of erection after orgasm may be more rapid or it may take longer before an erection is again possible. Some men may find they need more manual stimulation In addition, older men experience anatomical changes, including thinning of the pubic hair, laxity of scrotal tissue, atrophy of the perineal
muscles, loss of collagen tissue and occasionally weight gain. The phase of ejaculation undergoes changes which result in a decline in the intensity of orgasm and in the propulsive force of ejaculation. The volume of the ejaculate may be reduced by 50%. Sex drive and performance vary widely between individuals of the same group and the maintenance of sexual activity depends on factors such as regular sexual activity, the presence of a willing sexual partner, the absence of a major physical illness and the integrity of the relationship.

Although the incidence of erectile dysfunction increases in old age, this is primarily related to the increased rate of health problems, rather than old age per se. Aging is associated with an increase in the prevalence of chronic illnesses, (such as cardiovascular problems, particularly hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, renal failure,
cancer), in the number of prescribed drugs and also in the likelihood of surgical procedures which have distressing physical and psychological effects on a man's ability to produce an erection.

At any age, a man's lifestyle is important to both preventing and correcting erectile dysfunction. That includes controlling all the factors related to developing fatty-cholesterol deposits that cause heart attacks and strokes. Not smoking, getting adequate exercise, avoiding obesity, and following a proper diet low in fat, low in saturated fat, and low in cholesterol all
help to protect the arterial system that supplies the penis. Several recent studies have looked at the prevalence of erectile dysfunction. Although age was the variable most strongly associated with erectile dysfunction, following adjustment for age, a higher probability was noted with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and associated medications.

Erectile Dysfunction is very treatable at any age and a wide variety of treatment options exist. They include everything from medications and simple mechanical devices to surgery and psychological counseling. The cause and severity of your condition are important factors in determining the best treatment or combination of treatments for you.



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