Erectile dysfunction (ED) has become more popular than many people have imagined, as it affects over 50% of men above 40 years of age. Although, there are several intensive tests to diagnose it, most cases can be picked up while you consult your physician with these questions:
- How’s your sex life?
- Is everything working all right?
Below are nine more shocking facts about erectile dysfunction.
1. It is mostly caused by vascular disease
Vascular disease (relating to blood vessels) is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction in men, who are above fifty years of age. It occurs in 50% of all cases and this includes:
*High blood pressure
*Peripheral vascular disease
*Coronary artery disease/ heart attack
Besides, blood vessels can also be damaged due to radiation treatment from prostate cancer.
2. Other common “organic” causes of erectile dysfunction
Besides vascular diseases, other organic causes of erectile dysfunction are:
• Endocrinologic causes (low testosterone).
• Neurogenic (related to the nervous system)
• Medication side effects
• Peyronie’s disease
3. How do i know if my ED is caused by vascular damage?
First and foremost, your doctor will refer you to a neurologist, who will diagnose you by giving a direct injection of prostaglandin E1 (Caverject) into one of the three expandable erectile tissues (corpora cavernosa) along the length of your penis. The three expandable erectile tissues are usually filled with blood during erection. Within few minutes, an erection should develop if the vasculature works normally. If this is so, it indicates that you don’t have a vascular damage. Besides, this test also indicates that a possible therapy for ED is penile injections.
4. Are there medications can activate the onset of ED?
Yes. In fact, among every five cases of ED, one is a medication side effect. Always watch out for the following drugs as they are among the most common causes.
*Antidepressants
*Neuroleptics (antipsychotic medications used in the treatment of mental illness)
*NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Motrin, naproxen)
- Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, pantoprazole esomeprazole) for heartburn and GERD
- Certain blood pressure medications, but not all. Beta-blockers (metoprolol, carvedilol, atenolol) and diuretics (HCTZ) negatively affect erectile function, while calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors seem to have neutral effects. Those that positively affect erectile function are (irbesartan, losartan and valsartan). They are called the ARBs.
- Antiepileptics (carbamazepine and phenytoin more so than the others)
- Propecia (finasteride) for hair loss
5. Pure psychogenic ED is relatively uncommon
Contrary to people’s opinion, the least likely form of ED is referred to as “Pure Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction.” It is relatively uncommon. Here are signs that you don’t have this disorder:
Morning erections
Presence of good night-time
Normal findings on all other tests
It should be noted that majority of men with severe depression have Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
6. Can a man suffer from both organic and psychogenic ED?
Absolutely yes. It is quite possible for a man to suffer from both cause of ED. The symptom is a highly variable erection that is not consistent. For instance, an erection may occur today and may be absent tomorrow.
7. What medications improve ED?
The usual medication for treating erectile dysfunction is the usage of drugs like Viagra, Kamagra and Cenforce 200.
8. Can someone with heart problem take ED medications?
If in the last 6-8 weeks, a person has suffered from stroke or heart attack or chest pain, he cannot be administered ED medications. However, studies have shown that people with stable heart issues show no increased risk of cardiovascular events when they take Viagra and Kamagra.
9. Can exercise improve ED?
Yes. Interval and continuous aerobic training is recommended for people, whose erectile dysfunctions are related to vascular disease. This will improve their ED