Causes and treatments of erectile dysfunction

More than 23% of men over 45 years of age suffer from erectile dysfunction, an undervalued problem that, in some men, is associated with stress, cholesterol, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases, according to the Atlas of Erectile Dysfunction in Spain. which also indicates that for some doctors it even constitutes an alarm signal for these conditions.

Therefore, at the first symptom of erectile dysfunction, the first thing to do is go to the specialist, who will examine the patient to see if there is a serious pathology behind it.

What can cause erectile dysfunction?

The inability to achieve an erection or to maintain it is a serious problem that transcends the partner itself. There is no doubt that sexual impotence can wreak havoc on a relationship by making it impossible to enjoy a full and satisfying sexual union. But it can also cause serious emotional disorders in the man who suffers from it, since it reduces his self-esteem, creates a feeling of stress before sexual intercourse, and inhibits him in front of his partner not only in that intimate moment but in the bosom of the own relationship. In addition, it can influence other aspects of your life, such as work, family, or social.

Therefore, most experts advise not to let the problem go by and to consult a specialized doctor as soon as possible.

Among the main causes of erectile dysfunction we must point out the following:

• Stress, anxiety, or depression. The rhythm of life we lead, overwork, fatigue, problems falling asleep, not keeping up with our partner, or the presence of economic, family, or social factors can influence our sexual relationships and prevent us from achieving a sexual relationship. erection. In these cases, there is not a disease behind the erectile dysfunction, but rather emotional alterations that affect the natural and physiological sexual reflex that causes the erection.
• Cardiovascular diseases. After psychological problems, they are the most common cause of erectile dysfunction. The amount of blood that circulates through the blood vessels does not completely reach the penis, so it cannot be lifted. It is important to consult a doctor, since another problem of greater importance may be behind the dysfunction, such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, or coronary heart disease. Any of these conditions can cause a vascular disorder that prevents blood from flowing properly through the arteries and veins, thus making an erection difficult or impossible.
• Nervous system problems. In some cases, sexual impotence may be due to a problem in the nervous system caused by spinal diseases. Multiple sclerosis could also be behind erectile dysfunction, so each case will have to be assessed especially.
• Taking some medications to treat heart or emotional diseases. Some of the drugs that are prescribed for the heart or blood pressure can affect the penis, so the man will have trouble getting it to lift or stay erect. Also, certain medications used to treat depression, anxiety, or other psychological problems can cause erectile dysfunction.
• Absence of male sex hormones. The lack of sex hormones such as testosterone or androgens can alter the sexual function and thus lead to erection problems. It is not a common cause, but we must take it into account.
• Unhealthy lifestyle. Smoking, taking drugs, or drinking alcohol frequently can also impair the ability to get an erection, as well as lead an excessively sedentary life or the excessive consumption of saturated fats. Although it is not a direct cause, we must pay attention to these factors, as they can cause other diseases that are directly associated with erectile dysfunction.

What methods are there to treat erectile dysfunction?

The normal thing is that if the problem of sexual impotence is related to some of the causes described above, treating these conditions could solve the problem of impotence. This is the case, for example, of those alterations caused by the use of medications or psychological disorders. Stopping the drugs that cause erection problems can help regain the sexual ability. And the same happens in those cases in which stress, tobacco, drugs, or anxiety are behind. If these emotional problems are treated with therapy and specialized help, the problem of sexual impotence that affects the patient can be ended.

In other cases, the problem is more complex and requires another specific method. One of the most common is taking oral drugs; These are phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors that include tadalafil, vardenafil, and sildenafil, which act by increasing blood flow in the penis, which enables erection. Its results can last up to 24 hours, in the case of the first, and 12, in the case of the second, and are not without side effects, such as headache or muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, and stomach disorders, vision problems …

For its part, avanafil, another inhibitor, improves vasodilation, which allows blood to circulate properly and can cause an erection.

Another method of treating the problem of dysfunction is intracavernous injections of alprostadil into the penis. It is an equally very effective method and one that, like oral treatments, can cause adverse reactions, such as bruising, inflammation, or prolonged erections.

The shock waves of low energy are used to treat some cases of erectile dysfunction. Shockwave benefits have been shown for various cosmetic problems, such as cellulite. But this method has many more advantages: it stimulates blood circulation and favors the creation of new blood vessels, which undoubtedly favors an erection.

In those cases in which sexual impotence is due to the absence of male hormones, hormonal treatments are usually prescribed.

Finally, as in the last case, an implant or prosthesis can be used in the penis itself through a surgical operation. It is the most common treatment when the dysfunction results from a radical prostatectomy performed to remove the prostate after cancer.

If you have erection problems, you should go to an expert in urology and medical-aesthetic surgery to examine and evaluate your case and offer you the best solution.