You may already know most of the names: Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn, Stendra, Viagra. Learn more about these medications that can help men with erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is defined as an inability to obtain or maintain an erection sufficient for penetration and for the satisfaction of both sexual partners.
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Did you know that around 5% of men aged 40, and 15% of men aged 70 have complete erectile dysfunction?
Potentially lethal interaction when used together with nitrate medications such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur), isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
Erectile Dysfunction Early SignsFrequent erection failures while having sex.Not having a pleasurable time with their partnerNot having a firm erection required for sexual intercourse.Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms Age
Erectile dysfunction (ED) refers to difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. It is more common in men who have any of the following:
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Sometimes, blood flow problems develop because of damage to the endothelium or penile smooth muscle – tissues in the penis that are important for normal erections. This damage may be the result of high blood pressure or smoking. It can also happen if a man has high cholesterol, triglyceride, or blood sugar levels.
There have been rare reports of priapism (prolonged and painful erections lasting more than six hours) with the use of PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil. Patients with blood cell diseases such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia, and multiple myeloma have higher than normal risks of developing priapism. Untreated priapism can cause injury to the penis and lead to permanent impotence. Therefore, if your erection lasts four hours, you should seek emergency medical care.
For an algorithm to facilitate evaluation and treatment of patients with ED, see figure 2.
• Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or thyroid conditions, poor blood flow, depression, or neurologic disorders (such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease)
An intimate relationship between two people is complex and involves many aspects. ED may affect or change your relationship with yourself and your partner. You may be embarrassed and feel guilty, making it difficult to talk to your partner about this issue. ED could have a direct impact on a committed relationship.
It is important to remember that having sex can put additional strain on the heart and may increase your risks if you have a history of heart disease or have an existing heart problem. The most common side effects of erectile dysfunction treatments include headaches, a sudden feeling of heat in your upper body, indigestion, visual disturbances, dizziness or a stuffy nose. Side effects are usually mild to moderate and don’t last long. If you experience any side effects or perhaps an increase in the severity of a side effect, you should stop taking the medication.
Talk with your doctor before trying supplements for ED. They can contain 10 or more ingredients and could make other health conditions worse. Some men say alternative treatments help them get and keep an erection. Unfortunately, the long-term safety of these products isn’t known, so most doctors don’t recommend them.
Rare side effects of all PDE5 inhibitors include a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes (nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy [NAION]) and sudden loss of hearing. Patients have reported these rare side effects with all of the PDE5 inhibitors. Seek immediate medical care if you develop loss of vision or hearing.
Men can increase the blood flow throughout their bodies by engaging in regular physical activity. Increased blood flow to the penis decreases the risk of ED and enhances sexual performance.
Putting off a doctor’s visit can delay effective treatment and may be harmful if you have other, underlying conditions.