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| All About Erectile Dysfunction |
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction (Or ED for short) is the term used for difficulty either getting or sustaining an erection. This could be not being able to keep erection long enough to have sexual intercourse or sometimes, not be able to get an erection at all. Generally affecting men of 40 and over, it is a highly frustrating condition and many men suffering from ED will suffer in silence due to the embarrassment factor of discussing it with a doctor. But of course, without proper treatment ED will persist.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
The penis is made up two chambers of springy soft tissue called the Corpora cavernosa. When a man is turned on (sexually aroused) the brain and local nerves send impulses to the muscles in the Copora cavernosa that cause it to relax which allows the blood to fill the spaces within the tissue. Creating pressure in the Copora cavernosa, this causes the penis to expand. A membrane called Tunica albuginea helps to store the remaining blood in the Corpora cavernosa, this causes an erection. If the muscles suddenly stop contracting this stops blood flow into the penis and the erection is then lost.
If this happens regularly, this is Erectile Dysfunction.
Am I Likely To Suffer From Erectile Dysfunction?
You are more at risk of suffering from ED if you have diseases such as Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or if you are an alcoholic. Over 70% of ED sufferers suffer with one of the above diseases.
Other risk factors include men on medications such as tranquillisers, antidepressants, drugs to treat high blood pressure and antihistamines. Injuries of the penis, bladder, pelvis, prostate and spinal cord can cause ED. And psychological problems such as depression, stress, guilt, low self-esteem, anxiety and lack of confidence. Smoking can also affect the blood flow to the penis which can affect erections.
How Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Treated?
Depending on the cause of your ED, it can be usually successfully treated with medications. Prescription medications, most commonly used is Viagra (Sildenafil) this increases the levels of the chemical that causes the tissues to relax aiding the erection process. It has many side effects, its most serious being the risk of cardiac arrest.
A penis pump (vacuum device) works by creating a vacuum around the penis drawing blood into it. Injections of drugs such as Alprostadil can be injected directly into the penis to relax the muscles and increase blood flow to help the man achieve an erection. In drastic cases, surgery can be performed by use of prostheses which is implanted into the corpora cavernosa so the man can adjust the position of the penis.
A more natural way of curing Erectile Dysfunction is the use of male volume enhancers. Male volume enhancers are herbal supplements containing ingredients and nutrients such as Zinc and L-Arginine that increase the levels of Nitric Oxide that help to boost blood flow and promote longer lasting erections. They are a more long-term solution to ED and other sexual problems as they do not work overnight but their effects can be life-changing.
