| Erectile dysfunction (ED), also called impotence, is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual activity. Erectile dysfunction is different from other medical conditions that interfere with sexual intercourse, such as desire and orgasmic disorders.Erectile dysfunction (ED) varies in severity: some men have a total inability to achieve an erection, others have a temporary ability to attain an erection, and still others can maintain only brief erections. The variations in severity of ED make it hard to estimate its frequency. Many males are also reluctant to talk about erectile dysfunction with their physicians, and thus the sexual problem is under-diagnosed. Yet, 30 million males in the USA are estimated to have ED.While ED can affect in all ages, it is rare in young males and more common in the elderly. By the age of 45, the majority of males have dealt with erectile dysfunction at least some of the time. Nevertheless, if it becomes chronic, it can have adverse effects on relationships, emotional health, and self-esteem.Over the past decades, the medical perspective on the causes of erectile dysfunction has altered. Common wisdom used to attribute almost all cases of impotence to psychological factors. Nowadays physicians suppose that up to 85% of impotence cases are brought on by medical or physical factors, such as blood vessel problems, hypertension, diabetes, neurological disease and other medical conditions. Some of the medicines used to treat these medical conditions can also bring on impotence. Only 15% of ED cases are grounded on psychological factors. They include concern, depression, tension, and problems in relationships. At times impotence is due to a mixture of physical and psychological causes. Lifestyle can adversely affect males' sexual health and virility, too. Smoking, alcohol abuse, and other substance abuse can increase the risk of ED.Scientific advances have helped increase the number of options available to cure ED. Drug therapy of PDE5 inhibitors is the primary treatment for erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are the three drugs approved for treatment of male sexual disorder.The blue little pills were initially introduced to cure vascular disorders and preclude heart attacks. It was concluded that the pills could relax blood arteries. Angina was believed to relieve when more red blood cells carrying oxygen were delivered to heart muscle cells via the widened coronary vessels. Not only were heart arteries dilated, but so were blood arteries in other places. This side-effect was taken into consideration when remedies for erectile dysfunction were being developed.Alongside the drug therapy, there are other forms of treatment. The treatment a doctor chooses hinges on the cause of sexual dysfunction and a man's lifestyle. |
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