Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Signs of ED vary from a total inability to get an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Symptoms Inability to achieve or maintain an erection Inconsistent ability to achieve/maintain erection Tendency to sustain only brief erections Causes
What erectile dysfunction studies are under way? What are future treatment options?
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Impotence treatments were discussed in the oldest Chinese text, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which describes traditional Chinese medicine during the time of the Yellow Emperor’s rule which ended around 2600 BC. One of the treatments for impotence discussed is a potion with 22 ingredients.4
ED is not a life-threatening disorder, but it can have a negative impact on your quality of life and that of your partner.
Infection is a concern after placement of a prosthesis and is a reported complication in 8%-20% of men undergoing placement of a penile prosthesis. If a prosthesis becomes infected (redness, pain, and swelling of the penis and sometimes purulent drainage are signs of infection), the prosthesis must be removed. Depending on the timing and severity of the infection and your surgeon's preference, the area can be irrigated extensively with antibiotic solutions and a new prosthesis placed at the same time or removal of the infected prosthesis and an attempt to place a new prosthesis made at a later time when the infection is totally cleared.
The recommended dosage of sildenafil is 50 mg/day, usually taken 1 hour before sexual activity. This dose may be increased to 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg based on side effects.6 PDE5 inhibitors also have a beneficial effect in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction as well as pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension. The use of PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of right heart failure and left ventricular failure associated with combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension has been well studied.71,72
These are not common tests for initial diagnosis of ED and are only necessary if your doctor needs additional information to assess your personal situation.
Penile erection is a complex process in which the brain, nerves, muscles and blood vessels play a major role. The main causes of erectile dysfunction include psychological and health conditions, medications, trauma and lifestyle factors.
A number of medical treatment options exist for erectile dysfunction include the following:
Unlike the other PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Viagra) may affect another phosphodiesterase enzyme in the eye, causing transient abnormal vision (a bluish hue or brightness).
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often associated with urinary symptoms, such as urinary frequency, nocturia, and urgency. Often these symptoms are related to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). It is unclear if the urinary symptoms cause ED, but generally, ED gets worse when urinary symptoms worsen.
Burnett AL. Evaluation and management of erectile dysfunction. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 27.
With the increasing interest in more natural and holistic therapies for erectile dysfunction, many men are choosing nonsurgical shockwave therapy. This breakthrough treatment delivers virtually painless ultrasonic waves to the penis in order to remodel tissues, strengthen blood vessels, and increase blood flow to the penis. In the days and weeks following a quick shockwave ED treatment, which typically lasts 30 minutes or less and requires no downtime, patients will begin to develop stronger, firmer, longer-lasting erections.
Chronic rhinitis and post-nasal drip symptoms include an itchy, runny nose, sneezing, itchy ears, eyes, and throat. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) usually is caused by pollen in the air. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a type of chronic rhinitis and is a year-round problem, often caused by indoor allergens, such as dust, animal dander, and pollens that may exist at the time. Treatment of chronic rhinitis and post nasal drip are dependent upon the type of rhinitis condition.
Another potential new treatment consists of penile low-intensity shock wave lithotripsy. This consists of 1500 shocks twice a week for 3–6 weeks. The purpose is to stimulate neovascularisation to the corporal bodies with improvement in penile blood flow and endothelial function. The use of low-intensity shock wave lithotripsy may convert PDE5 inhibitor non-responders to responders.47
Check out the illustrations below for further insight into various ED treatments.
General good health, particular cardiovascular, is important for sexual function. Avoiding obesity and belly fat can help you avoid and treat erectile dysfunction. A good diet and exercise should be part of your daily regimen.