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Since it was launched in 1998, Viagra has become the most popular drug to treat erectile dysfunction. It’s effective for about 80 percent of men and has generated billions of dollars in sales for Pfizer.
But, despite its success, Viagra and similar drugs have had their share of problems. Known as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, they increase blood flow to the penis by inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down a certain chemical in the body.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to get or maintain a firm enough erection for sex. It is a very common problem, and it affects many men. Occasionally, it may be caused by stress or certain nutritional or lifestyle changes.
In most cases, ED is a medical condition that requires treatment. If you have a problem getting or keeping an erection, talk with your doctor.
Your doctor will ask a number of questions to help them understand your symptoms and the cause. They will then arrange blood tests and carry out a physical examination of your genitals.
One of the most common causes of ED is a problem with your penile arteries or veins. Hardened arteries (arteriosclerosis), high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes can all cause problems with the blood flow to your penis.
Another reason for erectile dysfunction is an issue with the nerves in your penis. Damage to these nerves can occur at any age, but it’s most common in older men.
Finally, ED can also be caused by an underlying mental health issue such as performance anxiety. These issues can be addressed through counseling or other forms of therapy.
The success of Viagra in treating erectile dysfunction has increased the awareness of ED as a sexual health concern. However, men with erectile dysfunction are sometimes reluctant to talk with their doctors about it because they fear they will be judged negatively or have their social life affected.
Although erectile dysfunction can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem, it is often treatable. Most of the time, a combination of medication, dietary changes and lifestyle improvements can restore erectile function. There are even some procedures that can be used to improve erectile function, such as penile implants.
Why Do Men Have Erectile Dysfunction?
ED is the most common sexual health problem in men. In fact, it affects as many as 30 million American men, and more than half of them report ED to their doctor.
Some men who have erectile dysfunction have an underlying medical condition that causes it. These can include a heart condition or diabetes, or hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
Other men may have a genetic problem that affects their ability to get an erection or their libido. These conditions can be diagnosed and treated by a doctor or Urologist.
For most people, erectile dysfunction will resolve on its own. However, if a man is suffering from it due to an underlying medical condition or mental health issue, he will need treatment to address the cause and restore sexual function.
In many cases, a doctor will ask questions to find out what is causing the problem. They will also give a physical examination and order blood tests to check for heart problems or low testosterone levels, among other things.
The doctor may also order a test called the NPTR to see if the penis gets hard on its own during the night. This test helps them determine if the problem is psychological or physical.
Your doctor will also want to know what medicines you are taking. These can include over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs and supplements. If you have a history of heart or vascular disease, your doctor might recommend a medication called a PDE-5 inhibitor. These drugs increase your body’s ability to make testosterone, which can help you get an erection during sex.
Most men who have erectile dysfunction will find that it improves after taking the correct medication or supplement. It can also be helped by a healthy lifestyle, such as getting plenty of sleep and exercising regularly.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
In most cases, ED is caused by blood flow problems, which means that the penis doesn’t get the amount of blood it needs to be erect. This can be due to a number of health issues, including vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. It can also be the result of nerve damage, such as from diabetes.
A physical exam by a doctor may be needed to find the root cause of your erectile dysfunction. Your doctor will also ask you questions about your sexual and mental health to help them diagnose the problem.
They might test your blood for levels of testosterone and other hormones that affect erectile function. They might also do an ultrasound of your genitals to see if blood flow isn’t working well.
Your doctor might prescribe medications like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn). These medicines increase the blood flow in your penis to make it erect. They can also be used to treat a condition called Peyronie’s disease, which narrows the blood vessels in the penis.
Medications can also be combined with other treatments for ED. Vacuum devices, such as penis pumps, are another option. These tubes have a pump that sucks air into the tube, pulling blood from your arteries to make your penis erect.
Men with ED who don’t take medication can try talking therapy. Talking therapy can help a man work through the emotional issues that might be contributing to his ED.
Most cases of ED are secondary, which means that they’re caused by something that already existed but became problematic. In rare cases, ED is primary, which means that it doesn’t exist at all before a person developed it.
How Do I Treat Erectile Dysfunction?
If you are having problems getting or keeping a firm erection, talk with your doctor. Your doctor can diagnose the condition, explain it to you and recommend a treatment plan.
The first line of treatment for most men is oral medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) and tadalafil (Cialis). You take the medication one hour before sex. It’s most effective when taken with or without food, but if you have a high-fat meal it may stop the drug from working as well.
Other medicines can be used if your doctor thinks they might help. These medicines relax the muscles in your penis and increase blood flow to them. They work by increasing levels of nitric oxide in your blood.
These medicines are usually safe to use if you are taking other drugs, such as antidepressants and some antibiotics. However, you should always talk with your doctor about this before starting or stopping any new medicines.
Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological problems can cause erectile dysfunction, including anxiety and other issues related to sexual performance or relationship conflicts. These problems can affect how you feel about sex, or cause other symptoms like low self-esteem and difficulty with intimacy.
Another common cause of ED is organic problems with your blood vessels. These can include arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), trauma to the arteries, and other health problems.
When a medical problem causes erectile dysfunction, your doctor will likely perform an exam to find out the cause. The examination will include a physical exam, as well as an exam of your genitals and sexual history.
Most people with erectile dysfunction have problems with their vascular system and nerves. Often these problems can be improved or eliminated by making lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, eating right and not smoking. They also can be treated with medications, such as Viagra or other nitric oxide inhibitors.
What Can I Do to Treat Erectile Dysfunction?
If you have erectile dysfunction, your doctor may recommend medication or other treatment. These treatments can improve your sexual function and help you have more satisfying relationships.
Medications for ED, like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra that’s available at apteekkisuomen, can help you have and maintain an erection when you’re aroused. The drugs work by relaxing muscles and arteries in your penis, which helps more blood flow to the area.
Your doctor will recommend the right dose for you, and you’ll need to take it 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity. You shouldn’t take more than one pill per day.
Viagra works by blocking the action of a certain enzyme, called PDE5, which normally breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP) in your penis. This allows cyclic GMP to keep working for longer periods of time, improving blood flow to your penis.
When used as directed, Viagra is safe and effective for most men with erectile dysfunction. If you have a heart condition, diabetes or take other medications, talk with your doctor before taking the drug.
If you take nitrate drugs, including prescription nitroglycerin or illicit drugs like poppers, you should not take Viagra. Nitrates can cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
A medical emergency, called priapism, can occur when a prolonged erection that lasts more than four hours occurs in a man who takes Viagra. This can damage the tissues in the penis and cause permanent ED.
If you want to avoid nitrate drugs, your doctor can prescribe medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors). These medications are effective in restoring sexual function in up to 70 percent of men with ED. These medications can also be useful in treating ED in men who have prostate cancer or other conditions that affect blood vessels.
