As most of us are aware, sex is a wonderful activity that teaches us the pleasures of life as well as our own bodies. Unfortunately, many males suffer from erectile dysfunction. As a result, the quality of life for any male, or any female engaging in heterosexual delights, may be lowered. For those of you that are familiar with this problem, have no fear; there are ways of not only recognizing it, but also reconciling the dilemma. Not only are there many treatments for ED, but those of you suffering from it are not alone. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), approximately twenty-two out of every one thousand men in the states sought medical attention for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in 1999. This article will examine some of treatments available both naturally and medically.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) can vary from complete impotency to occasional instances of impotency, partial erections, or brief periods of erection. In terms of frequency there is a direct relationship to age. As age increases, so do instances of ED. Chronic ED appears in about five percent of men in their forties, whereas Transient ED is found in about fifty percent of men over sixty years old. Due to the diversity of symptoms and frequency of ED, it is often difficult to diagnose without an obvious underlying medical condition.

Causes

The actual causes of ED can be traced to a reduction of blood flow to the penis and/or nerve damage in the genital area. There are many factors that can account for this reduced blood flow.

Vascular disease is one of the major causes relating to ED. The narrowing and/or hardening of arteries signify vascular disease. When this occurs, it becomes difficult for blood to flow into the penis, which creates the erection. While this is considered to be a major cause of ED, it is most commonly found in men over 60 years old.

Diabetes can damage blood vessels and inhibit the blood flow that is necessary to maintain an erection. A whopping sixty percent of men with diabetes are said to experience some form of erectile dysfunction.

Another important factor to consider is drug use. There are many prescribed drugs that are known to cause ED. ED as a side effect is linked to drugs such as painkillers, tranquillizers, and high blood pressure medications. These types of drugs may result in ED because they tend to lower the body’s blood pressure by acting as a sedative. The lowered blood pressure makes it difficult for the penis to obtain an erection.

Surgery can be another cause of ED. Research has shown that surgery or radiation therapy on the pelvic area can damage blood vessels that are necessary for erection.

Aside from the physical causes for ED, there have also been studies showing that ED is related to psychological factors as well. Social disorders such as anxiety, stress or depression may also lead to impotency. A lack of confidence may create a mild panic state in which the mind can no longer focus on maintaining an erection. Unfortunately this can lead to a vicious cycle. For example, if a man loses an erection during a sexual encounter, the fear of it happening again the next time could actually cause an anxious state, therefore resulting in ED.

Treatments

Now that we have a background in some symptoms and causes of ED, we will look at some treatments.

Oral medications for the treatment of ED are among the most common. Viagra is also known as sildenafil (generic name), is a pill taken orally about one hour before the anticipated sexual encounter. It works by relaxing the blood vessels around the penis so that blood may flow easily into the vessels, causing an erection. While this medication does promote erection, it does not cause an erection without stimulation. The initial arousal still occurs from the brain and the penis will return to its normal shape when the arousal has concluded.

The known side effects of Viagra are considered minor and may include dizziness, headache, and flushing of the complexion. Another positive aspect of this medication is that it is not addictive. There has been some concern that men who do not suffer from ED may take Viagra with the false impression that it provides sexual enhancement. However, even under such circumstances, research suggests that the medication is not dangerous as long it is taken in the recommended dosages.

Each pill costs about seven dollars when Viagra is bought in low quantities. The price may get cheaper as the quantity goes up. The FDA has not put any limits on the price, and the pill is not usually covered by insurance.

Other treatments for ED include implant surgery and self injection therapy. Before the Viagra craze began, there were a few other procedures that were used to treat ED. Penile implanting, a surgical operation, is conducted by inserting inflatable cylinders into the penis. Through a pressurized fluid system, the cylinders inflate and deflate by shifting fluid from a reservoir located in the upper pelvic region into their chambers, and then back into the reserve. Similar to the old pump sneakers, the patient may control the inflation process by pressing on a small pump placed under the skin in the scrotum.

Injectable drugs are another method that some men use to maintain a stronger and longer lasting erection. Using small needles, similar to what a diabetic would use to inject insulin, drugs such as papaverine hydrochloride, phentolamine, and alprostadil (marketed as Caverject) are put into the penis to widen blood vessels and encourage blood flow into the penis. Unfortunately there are side effects such as persistent uncontrollable erection and scarring from the injections.

Not everyone with ED wants to spend so much money to have a normal sex life. With the ever-growing problem of health care in the United States, it is also hard for some people to arrange or afford a trip to their physician to obtain a prescription for Viagra or consider possible drug therapy or implants. As a result, there have been increasing statistics of natural methods being used to improve ED.

There are hundreds of products out there that are basically considered natural aphrodisiacs. These herbal supplements are found over the counter, and cost less than oral medications and other conventional treatments. Unlike oral medications, these supplements can increase blood flow throughout the body. As a result some people may experience increased energy, rapid recovery and growth from exercise, and even a sense of well-being.

It seems that the greatest difference between Viagra and natural supplements is that of consistency. The natural supplements tend to work better for people that are generally healthy. For those who drink often or overweight, the herbal remedies may not be very effective. However, Viagra is usually effective in providing oxygen to the brain even under the conditions listed above. Although these supplements are easier to get, their effectiveness is dependent on one’s health.

Another method used to increase stamina and limit ED is the art of yoga. Practicing yoga is probably the most cost effective method of trying to improve ED. Some yoga experts claim that practicing yoga is helpful for the proper functioning of the reproductive organs. While this method is far from being proven by medical experts, some health experts claim that equate quality of life has to be equated with sexual functioning.

Sexual health is a major part of our lives no matter what type of lifestyle you engage in. Not only can Erectile Dysfunction be a hindrance on the pleasures of life, but it can also become part of a cycle of psychological implications. Due to such a high number of reported cases, there are now many treatments for ED. The tricky part is finding the right one for you. The first, and probably the most difficult, step is to ask your doctor for advice. Whether or not you choose to jump on the Viagra bandwagon or try an alternative method, with enough time and patience, erectile dysfunction should become a part of the past.