The penis contains three cylinders, the two corpora cavernosa, which are on the top of the penis (see figure 1 below). These two cylinders are involved in erections. The third cylinder contains the urethra, the tube that the urine and ejaculate passes through, runs along the underside of the penis. The corpus spongiosum surrounds the urethra. Spongy tissue that has muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries within it makes up the corpora cavernosa. The inside of the corpora cavernosa is like a sponge, with potential spaces that can fill with blood and distend (known as sinusoids). A layer of tissue that is like Saran Wrap, called the tunica albuginea, surrounds the corpora. Veins located just under the tunica albuginea drain blood out of the penis. SLIDESHOW Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Causes and Treatment See Slideshow Readers Comments 5 Share Your Story
The doctor will perform a complete physical examination, to check for abnormalities in the penis, scrotum, and testicles. To check for heart disease the doctor will take your blood pressure, measure your heart rate, and order a blood test to check your level of cholesterol. Your doctor will do a digital rectal examination to feel the size, shape, and consistency of the prostate, and if necessary check the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. To check for diabetes the doctor may order a test to measure the level of glucose in your blood. It could also be necessary to assess your testosterone levels in the morning. This is also done with a blood test.
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“Kegel exercises for men: understand the benefits.” Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/kegel-exercises-for-men/art-20045074
Improvements in your lifestyle, such as a eating healthy diet, reducing alcohol intake, losing weight and increasing your exercise can dramatically improve erectile dysfunction. More specific treatment usually involves: weight loss and increased exercise (this may reduced the risk of erectile dysfunction by up to 70%) treatment of any hormone abnormality (testosterone treatment is only indicated if your testosterone levels are low and may be harmful if your the levels are normal); lifestyle modification (e.g. reduce stress, stop smoking, reduce alcohol consumption & stop illicit drugs); treatment of any anatomical abnormality if present (e.g. circumcision, frenuloplasty, penile straightening); psychological support if necessary.
André B Silva1, Nelson Sousa1,2, Luís F Azevedo3,4, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8561-5167Carlos Martins1 1 Family Medicine Unit, Social Sciences and Health Department of the Faculty of Medicine of Porto, Porto, Portugal 2 Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal 3 CIDES—Department of Health Information and Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal 4 CINTESIS—Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Correspondence to Dr André B Silva, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto 4200-319, Portugal; andreborgessilva{at}outlook.com
Certain feelings can interfere with normal sexual function, including feeling nervous about or self-conscious about sex, feeling stressed either at home or at work, or feeling troubled in your current sexual relationship. In these cases, treatment incorporating psychological counseling with you and your sexual partner may be successful. One episode of failure, regardless of cause, may propagate further psychological distress, leading to further erectile failure. Los of desire or interest in sexual activity can be psychological or due to low testosterone levels.
A penile prosthesis or implant is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. Penile implant surgeries take about an hour and are typically done in an outpatient center.
It affects approximately half of all men over age 40 While erectile dysfunction is usually a physical problem, it can also have psychological roots. More often than not, it is a combination of both. And help is available. “We have a treatment for everyone,” says Stanton Honig, MD, a director of the Yale Medicine Male Reproductive Health Program. “It's just a matter of what option you choose.”
S.NoTestosterone LevelImpact on the body1.<300 ng/dLIt becomes hard for a person to maintain an erection.2.>900Excess of the hormone can create high sexual desires that are hard to please.
Sexual arousal is complex, involving psychological and physical factors, like the brain, hormones, muscles, blood vessels, and emotions. An issue with any (or a combination) of these physical and psychological factors may cause erectile dysfunction. Initial steps to help alleviate erectile dysfunction: Exercise regularly and maintain good cardiovascular health Establish and maintain healthy sleep habits Maintain a healthy weight and follow healthy nutrition guidelines Quit using tobacco Limit or avoid the use of alcohol Reduce stress
It may be uncomfortable for you to discuss your sex life with a urologist or a sexologist, but it is the most effective way to deal with your concerns. Together with your doctor, you can identify what is important in your sex life and choose the best treatment option to have a satisfactory sex life. If you have a partner, it is important to include them in these consultations.
Surgery is an option in some cases of erectile dysfunction. Most surgery cases are performed for one of three reasons: to implant a device to initiate erections; to reconstruct arteries and increase penis blood flow; to block off veins that allow blood to leak from the penile tissues.
Blood cell counts Cholesterol levels Blood sugar levels Liver function tests
“Exercise improves function whether you want to prevent erection problems or whether those problems are just starting,” says Gerbild.
Urinalysis (urine test, drug test) is a test performed on a patient's urine sample to diagnose conditions and diseases such as urinary tract infection, kidney infection, kidney stones, and inflammation of the kidneys, or screen for progression of conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Erectile dysfunction can be a warning sign of current or future heart disease sometimes. In fact, ED can precede coronary artery disease in almost 70 percent of cases.
Erectile dysfunction essentially refers to not being able to obtain or keep an erection and is often coupled with a reduced desire for sex. ED can have a range of causes, both physical and psychological. Certain risk factors for developing erectile dysfunction can include: