The first time he experienced ED in his mid-50s he thought it was just a fluke, which was a reasonable assumption to make. More than half of men experience episodic erectile dysfunction at some time in their life from things like stress, too much alcohol, or as a side effect of medication. Read More About Gene's Story
ED is defined as the inability to achieve a full erection or the inability to maintain an erection adequate for sexual intimacy. Other types of sexual dysfunction such as premature ejaculation and low libido may occur; however, the most common and disruptive problem in men is ED. Although most men will experience periodic episodes of ED, these episodes tend to become more frequent with advancing age.
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Type 2 diabetes is a condition of blood sugar dysregulation. In general blood sugar is too high, but it also can be too low. This can happen if you take your diabetes medications then skip a meal. Blood sugar also can rise very quickly after a high glycemic index meal, and then fall a few hours later, plummeting into hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia can include
Alprostadil is an FDA-approved erectile dysfunction drug that can be injected directly into the penis to trigger an automatic erection. "Penile injection is the most effective type of ED treatment for men who can't take oral treatment," says Nelson Bennett, MD, a urologist at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass. In fact, it has an 85 percent success rate. Possible side effects include a burning sensation and priapism, an erection that lasts more than four hours and requires medical treatment.
In the past, doctors tended to blame erectile dysfunction on psychological problems or, with older men, on the aging process. Medical opinion has changed. While it takes longer to get aroused as you age, regular erectile dysfunction deserves medical attention. Also, the problem isn't usually psychological. Urologists now think physical problems contribute to most long-lasting cases of ED in men over 50.
Common side effects of PDE inhibitors include flushing, upset stomach, headache, nasal congestion, back pain, and dizziness.
It is also more common in older patients, but is not, itself, a natural consequence of aging.
The doctor may also test for thyroid and adrenal gland dysfunction. For more sophisticated tests, the doctor may refer you to specialist such as an urologist or endocrinologist.
In simple terms, the better your general health, the less likely you are to suffer from erectile dysfunction. This is because ED is a common symptom of many different types of diseases, some of which are caused by poor health and many of which can be improved (at least in part) by an exercise routine.
Men with diabetes, radical prostatectomy, and other complicating factors may still benefit from treatment with a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor such as Viagra. Patients who fail a trial of PDE5 inhibitor should be informed of the benefits and risks of other therapies. This of a different PDE5 inhibitor is unlikely to have a profound effect on sexual function and someone who fails a first drug trial, but should be considered in selected cases. Second-line therapies include intra-urethral suppositories, intra-cavernous drug injection, vacuum-constriction devices, and penile prosthesis. Medicated Urethral System for Erection (MUSE). MUSE is an intra-urethral suppository of alprostadil, of vaso-active drug that relaxes smooth muscle in the penis and induces penile erection. Although not as effective as intra-cavernosal penile injection, MUSE is a less invasive treatment option. An initial trial dose of intra-urethral alprostadil should be administered under healthcare provider supervision due to the risk of fainting. The cost of intra-urethral suppositories is high with respect to the overall success and therefore should be used judiciously.
Kegels are pelvic floor exercises and, as their name says it helps strengthen the pelvic bones and muscles. There are some sets of Kegels that you can do on a daily basis, like standing pelvic floor activation and sitting pelvic floor activation.
Pelvic surgeries are a common cause of sexual dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is a potential complication following prostate cancer surgery.
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Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking ED medicine. Usually, a man takes 1 tablet 30 minutes to 1 hour before he plans to have sex. Sildenafil works for 4-8 hours; vardenafil works for up to 8 hours; and tadalafil works for up to 36 hours.
You can usually get an erection within five to 10 minutes of injecting this medicine. Your erection should last between 20 minutes to an hour.
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.
Unfortunately, many men are reluctant to report erectile dysfunction (ED) to their partner, or physician, due to social stigmas associated with bedroom performance. ED, or the inability to maintain an erection, is much more common than the general population may realize and has a lot to do with men’s health. A Johns Hopkins study revealed that over 18 million men in the U.S. over the age of 20 experience difficulties having and maintaining an erection.