Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction - The Essential Facts

When erectile dysfunction occurs, the causes can be the same psychology, or physiology, or both. Either way, the effects of the disease can be harmful to the patient (and their partner). Where the cause is psychological, the good news is that there are no underlying health concerns to worry about. And there are several treatment options available.

Psychological causes Erectile dysfunction includes:

• Low self-esteem - lack of self-esteem can contribute to erectile dysfunction


• Anxiety - worrying about sexual performance is a major factor in erectile dysfunction in psychology. When a man has been diagnosed with ED, the fear of persistent failure causes further anxiety, and can worsen the condition


• Depression - this is a common cause of ED, and while medications can help with depression, some anti-depressants are known to cause ED


• Relationship issues - being in a strained, unsupportive, or in a relationship of unresolved conflict, can cause ED


• Financial stress or related work


• Losing sex interest


• Reactions to physiological ED - where erectile dysfunction has physical or physiological causes, this can lead to performance concerns, and can therefore contribute to ED physiology.

Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Psychology

Counseling: Depending on the specific causes, there are different types of counselors or therapists (i.e. psychologists, psychiatrists, relationship counselors, and sex therapists). All of these experts have a variety of techniques for dealing with, managing and addressing psychological problems.

Pressure management: In addition to counseling, any other activity that acts to reduce stress may be useful in overcoming psychological ED. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. In addition to physical benefits, exercise also causes the release of endorphins in the body. Endorphins are the body's "feel good" chemicals, and they are responsible for the well-being, release of sex hormones, to increase the pain threshold, and to reduce the negative effects of stress.

Physiological causes Erectile dysfunction is a physical condition that prevents blood from flowing to the penis. For this to happen, strong blood flow to the penis is required. This causes the blood vessels in the penis to enlarge, resulting in erosion. Anything that interferes with this process is the source of physiology, and this includes:

• Heart disease - The risk of cardiovascular disease is higher in men with ED, as these men are more likely to block arteries, or Atherosclerosis (hardening of the artery)


• High blood pressure (hypertension) - this can lead to reduced blood flow to the penis and can affect a person's ability to reach a stance


• Diabetes - men with diabetes are more likely to develop ED, if diabetes is not controlled. Excessive levels of blood sugar can cause nerve damage, which can affect circulation and blood flow to the penis


• Low testosterone levels - sex drive and ability to achieve both are influenced by testosterone levels in the body


• Some types of surgery - abdominal or pelvic surgery (specifically for the prostate, colon or bladder) can result in damage to the nerves and blood vessels involved in the stance.


• Certain drugs - anti-depressant drugs, and certain cardiovascular drugs used to treat high blood pressure, are known to cause erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction treatment for the cause of physiology

Because of the risk of serious underlying health problems, it is always advisable to see a medical doctor for comprehensive examination. Treatments that doctors may prescribe for ED include:

Medicine: Oral medications like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra can be used to achieve erection, and this works well for most men. However, they come with unpleasant side effects, and they do not offer long-term solutions to the ED

Testosterone Replacement Therapy: If the test shows low testosterone levels, testosterone treatment can help achieve erection

Non-medical treatment: Vacuum pumps and rubber rings can be used to increase blood flow to the penis. This is not always effective, and should be used in consultation with your doctor.

Penis injection therapy: This involves injecting one or more drugs into the penis, and can cause the penis to become almost instantaneous. However, long-term use of the injection can cause scarring, and another possible side effect is that the medication can produce a painful, prolonged stunt known as priapism.

Penis implants: These are devices that are implanted through surgery into the penis, and used by squeezing certain parts of the device. They are expensive, and can only be used as a last resort, if other treatment options have failed.

Vascular surgery: It targets the veins and arteries that supply blood to the penis. It can only be used for men suffering from vascular injury due to trauma to the area, as it is a major surgical procedure.

Natural Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

The most common causes for physiological ED are poor blood flow, poor circulation, and clogged arteries. This is usually caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Lack of exercise, poor nutrition, and excessive use of alcohol and tobacco, are major contributors to heart disease. And heart disease increases the risk of erectile dysfunction. The good news is that ED risks can be significantly reduced, by adopting a healthy lifestyle, and making the following changes:

Improved nutrition: For a healthy erection, your diet should include lean protein, fiber, lots of fruits and vegetables, and nuts and grains. You should avoid foods that are high in fat and cholesterol (especially LDL, bad cholesterol).

Lots of practice: Cardiovascular exercise improves blood circulation (and therefore improves blood flow to the penis), helps reduce cholesterol, and does not touch the artery. Strength training (especially in large muscle groups) increases testosterone levels and human growth hormone, both of which are essential for achieving healthy erections.

Reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption: Both of these substances have been shown to contribute to erectile dysfunction when used in large quantities, and should be avoided where possible.

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction - The Essential Facts


==========================