The best-suited treatment can be advised by the doctor after a thorough diagnosis only.
To diagnose erectile dysfunction, the doctor will ask questions about the symptoms and medical history. A complete physical exam is done to detect poor circulation or nerve trouble. The physician will look for abnormalities of the genital area that could cause problems with erections.
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Vardenafil (Levitra) was the second oral medicine approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Like sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) inhibits PDE5, which destroys cGMP (as discussed earlier). It is the only PDE 5 inhibitor that has a generic form available.
What causes low testosterone (low T)? Learn about low testosterone symptoms in men. Discover low testosterone treatment and the signs of low testosterone.
A lot of people think getting ED is just a part of getting older, but it is not. So, the answer is B No. This common misperception can have far-reaching health repercussions and prevent some from getting the care they really do need. 2. Erectile Dysfunction doesn’t just affect older men. According to the American Journal of Medicine, what percentage of 20-39 year olds have difficulty with ED?
Stem cell therapy is an attractive treatment modality and an appealing option for tissue regenerative therapy for ED. Stem cells are pluripotent cells that can be produced from multiple regions within the body. They have the potential to divide and differentiate into numerous kinds of human cells, such as endothelial cells and smooth muscle.79 The efficacy and safety of gene and stem cell therapy in patients with ED and IHD need to be extensively investigated because both seem to have the potential to correct underlying abnormalities in ED. This would be a huge development in terms of management options for patients with ED and IHD.
Rare side effects of all PDE5 inhibitors include a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, NAION (nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), and sudden loss of hearing. These rare side effects have been reported with all of the PDE5 inhibitors, and should you develop loss of vision or hearing, you should seek immediate medical care.
What are the side effects of sildenafil (Viagra) that may be different from some of the other PDE5 inhibitors?
DiabetesHigh blood pressureHeart or thyroid conditionsClogged arteries (atherosclerosis)DepressionNervous system disorders, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson disease
Men with ED without hypogonadism (a low testosterone level and symptoms related to this) should not use testosterone therapy.
Intracavernosal and intraurethral injections are second-line therapy for patients with ED. Alprostadil is the agent most commonly used for intracavernosal injections. The main adverse effects of intracavernosal injections are painful erection, priapism and development of scarring at the injection site.73 Alprostadil is also available as a topical cream in patients who cannot tolerate injections.75
Alternative treatments, such as nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, and acupuncture, are options to consider. However, evidence supporting many of these treatments is spare and due to the lack of FDA regulation the quality of any given supplement is unclear. In several high profile cases allegedly “natural” ED treatments were found to contain erection medications; as these medications have certain side effects and drug interactions (specifically PDE5I and nitrates) there is potential for very serious reactions even with “natural”, non-prescription medications.
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
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication: fda cautions about using testosterone products for low testosterone due to aging; requires labeling change to inform of possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke with use. www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm436259.htm. Bassil N , Alkaade S , Morley JE . The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2009;5:427–48. Søe KL , Søe M , Gluud C . Liver pathology associated with the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids. Liver 1992;12:73–9. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1992.tb00560.x Randrup E , Baum N , Feibus A . Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Postgrad Med 2015;127:166–72. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992722 Wrishko R , Sorsaburu S , Wong D , et al . Safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic overview of low-dose daily administration of tadalafil. J Sex Med 2009;6:2039–48. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01301.x Seftel AD , Sun P , Swindle R . The prevalence of hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and depression in men with erectile dysfunction. J Urol 2004;171:2341–5. doi:10.1097/01.ju.0000125198.32936.38
Lab tests can help diagnose ED. Blood cell counts, blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and liver tests can reveal medical conditions that play a role in ED.
Because of the relation between erectile dysfunction and heart disease the doctor generally does a cardiac risk evaluation as part of the diagnosis. Your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist for further evaluation and specific cardiac tests, such as a ‘stress test.’
If it happens more often, it may be caused by physical health or emotional problems. Non-urgent advice: See a GP or go to a sexual health clinic if: