Male Impotence Treatment

Archive for November, 2009

Impotence is a very embarrassing condition for any man which can lead to severe depression and loss of self confidence and many other problems in life. But if you are suffering from this you are not alone there are millions of men today who are suffering from inability to get an erection.
There are many things than can cause impotence, because there are several events within the body that take place sequentially and a problem can happen at any stage. There are many parts of the body involved in causing an erection: the brain, spinal column, muscles, fibrous tissues, arteries and veins. If any of these organ gets damaged – through injury or disease – it can cause ED. Some of the diseases that can cause problems are diabetes, alcoholism, vascular disease, neurological disease, kidney disease, and multiple sclerosis. About 70% of impotence is caused by one of these diseases.
Male impotence treatment includes using herbs internally and externally. However, there are many modern medications that help in curing such situation but then; they all bring lots of complications, unwanted events that may be side or adverse effects. Looking at this, more and more men labelled as impotent now prefer herbal or natural male impotence cure. The herbs that are used to treat such conditions include Ashwagandha, Kupilu, Kapikachhu, Guggulu, Shilajit, Amalaki, Gokshura, Lahsuna, Pippali etc. A man suffering from impotency can go for single herb supplement or can go for some product that contains above mentioned potential natural aphrodisiac herbs. There are many therapies that are considered to be very beneficial and used as male impotence cure. Special therapy such as Ayurvedic Panchakarma is said to increase the sperm count, boost the libido and also adding a force to sperm ejaculation without affecting any other body systems. The best way to use these herbs for impotence is to take a supplement that contains them all. The only problem is quality control. The field of herbal medicine is largely unregulated by the government, and poor quality products are sold everywhere. It is vital to do your research and find an herbal supplement that uses only the finest herbal ingredients in doses that are large enough to be effective. There are a number of drugs available for the treatment of this problem. They can be taken by mouth, injected into the side of the penis, or inserted into the male urethra. These drugs should only be taken as prescribed by a physician. It is important to understand who can take these drugs safely and who should avoid them.

There are commonly prescribed oral impotence drugs. They all act by relaxing the smooth muscles in the penis, thereby increasing blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. Their dosage can be varied depending on how long they are required to act. These drugs should never be taken with nitrates, a group of drugs used to treat heart disease, as drug interactions can result in a dangerous drop in blood pressure. There are a number of conditions in which taking any of these drugs is contraindicated. Some common side effects such as headaches, flushing, diarrhea, and a stuffy nose may be experienced with any of these drugs.

Daisy Wright is the health professional working for kamagrabuy.co.uk and author of many health related articles like Buy Tadalis SX UK and Bladder Cancer Causes to spread awareness among people about various health related issues like treatments, diseases, medications, symptoms etc.

Impotence often comes without warning and can strike even the most virile stud like a bolt of lightning.

How much of a risk do YOU face?

In this discussion about the risk factors leading to impotence, let’s begin by looking at what the indicators of impotence are.

If your erections are not firm enough to allow vaginal penetration, you are impotent. If your erections have the necessary rigidity, but only briefly, you may have an impotence problem. If your erection loses its strength upon penetration, once again, you probably have the problem. If any of these conditions apply to you, it may be time to admit it, and begin to move toward a treatment that can change your life.

Impotence is not by itself a disease, but is a secondary condition brought on by other primary causes. It is a side effect, a symptom of something else. Thirty years ago, when men went to their doctors asking for help for erectile problems, they were told that there was no treatment because it was caused by ageing, or that it was “all in their minds”. A generation of research has been conducted in the intervening years. With more knowledge now, doctors divide this very common disorder into four general causes:

About 85% of this problem is due to a physical (organic) cause. Slightly more than 10% is totally psychological, or “all in your mind.” The other 5% is unknown. The 85% figure includes a mixture of physical factors with psychological involvement. Once a man fails to erect a few times, he places more stress on himself to erect by sheer will power. When this too fails, he begins to have a psychological problem as well.

The main point here is: more than 4 out of every 5 impotent men are that way because something within the body other than the penis, has let them down.

Psychological Impotence describes the problem when physical causes are not present. Often, pure psychological impotence comes on suddenly rather than over a long period. It can be caused by job stress, a rocky marriage, or financial worries. Any nagging everyday situation which occupies conscious and subconscious thoughts can cause impotence. Also, depression can create it. Concern over poor sexual performance can cause it. It should be noted that almost every man experiences temporary periods of impotence.

Physical Impotence stems from a variety of causes. The consensus among most authorities is that the table below represents an accurate distribution of the causes of physical impotence:

There are almost always psychological aspects to impotence. However, where older men are concerned, if they once had a life of normal potency, organic reasons quickly raise their heads and tend to dominate. Some physicians like to talk about the “risk factor approach” which is defined as weighing arterial factors, venous factors, neurological factors, medication factors and hormonal factors. These point to erectile insufficiency in some way and imply that impotence is almost always a mixed bag.

Other hormones are also important for erectile function. A low level of the thyroid hormone can cause low quality erections. And, the excessive production of prolactin by the pituitary gland can be responsible for the low production of testosterone and this can lead to problems.

Erectile dysfunction — commonly known as impotence — affects 15 to 30 million American men and more than 140 million men worldwide. It is estimated that in the past only 10 percent of men affected by erectile dysfunction (ED) sought treatment; the vast majority of them simply lived with it, keeping silent out of fear, embarrassment, and the mistaken belief that nothing much could be done to help. Today, however, approximately 60 percent of affected men seek treatment. But for those who don’t, their relationships suffer and their self-esteem plummets. That’s extremely unfortunate, because ED is not only common, it’s treatable. And since ED is often caused by some other health problem, seeking treatment is crucial to more than just your sex life: Your life itself could depend on it.

In this article, we will explore all facets of erectile dysfunction over the course of the following sections:

• Understanding Erectile Dysfunction
  
  Most people are familiar with the results of erectile dysfunction, but not many understand the how and the why. Before you can begin to determine if you have erectile dysfunction or what treatment options you would like to pursue, you must first understand what exactly erectile dysfunction is. On this page we will delve into the mechanics of an erection and find out exactly what can go wrong whether the cause is physical or psychological.

• Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
  
  There are two main causes of erectile dysfunction. The first cause is a preexisting medical condition. For instance, many cardiovascular disorders will affect blood flow, and, consequently, the ability to form an erection. There are also many prescription medications that can affect sexual desire and cause ED. Finally, abuse of either tobacco or nicotine may also cause ED. The other main cause of erectile dysfunction is psychological factors such as excess stress or depression. We will also explain how ED can cause a mental “vicious cycle” of insecurity and frustration.

• Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction
  
  If you believe you might have erectile dysfunction, you might be apprehensive about seeing a doctor. It might comfort you to know exactly what steps your doctor will most likely take to diagnose you with the condition. We will take you through these steps in this section. First, we show you how creating a detailed medical history is the important initial step you should take in diagnosing any medical condition, and which important questions you will need to know the answer to. We will also let you know what type of physical and psychological screening you might undertake. Finally, we explain the various tests for erectile dysfunction.

• Seeking Help for Erectile Dysfunction
  
  The first trip to the doctor’s office to seek treatment for erectile dysfunction can be stressful for some patients. In this section, we will tell you everything you need to know to begin getting medical treatment for ED. We will tell you what type of doctor you should see and what you will need to bring to your appointment. We will also weigh the pros and cons of attending the appointment by yourself or with a loved one. Finally, we will give a list of general considerations you should keep in mind throughout your treatment.

• Non-Invasive Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
  
  Of the many treatments for erectile dysfunction, the most desirable are the non-surgical or non-invasive treatments. Surgery, especially in such a sensitive area can be an upsetting prospect for some patients. However, there are still many non-invasive treatments to sort through. On this page, we will help you wade through the various treatments, including psychological counseling, muscle toning, oral medications — such as Viagra or Cialis, hormone supplements, vacuum devices, and injection therapy. With all this information, you should be able to choose the treatment that is right for you.
  
  
• Surgical Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
  
  Finally, we will review the surgical treatments for erectile dysfunction. While most people tend to avoid surgery at all cost, sometimes there is no other option. First we will talk about urethral inserts, which is a pellet inserted into the tip of the penis. Next we will examine arterial and venous surgery, which involve reconstructing arteries to improve blood-flow to the penis. Lastly, we will discuss what many feel is the last resort, penile implants. As the name implies, this surgery involves the insertion of an object into the penis.

A variety of options exist for treating erectile dysfunction. They range from medications and simple mechanical devices to surgery and psychological counseling. The cause and severity of your condition are important factors in determining the best treatment or combination of treatments for you.

Cost
You and your partner may want to talk with your doctor about how much money you’re willing to spend and your preferences. Treatment for erectile dysfunction can be costly and insurance coverage varies. Because erectile dysfunction can by a sign of a number of underlying health conditions, initial evaluation of the problem is covered by most insurance policies. Medications or other treatments for erectile dysfunction may or may not be covered by your policy — check with your insurance provider to find out. Many policies have a limit on how many pills or injections are covered per month. Standard Medicare prescription drug coverage doesn’t cover medications for erectile dysfunction.

Oral medications
Oral medications available to treat ED include:

• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Vardenafil (Levitra)

All three medications work in much the same way. Chemically known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors, these drugs enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes muscles in the penis. This increases the amount of blood flow and allows a natural sequence to occur — an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

These medications don’t automatically produce an erection. Instead they allow an erection to occur after physical and psychological stimulation. Many men experience improvement in erectile function after taking these medications regardless of the cause of their impotence.

These medications share many similarities, but they have differences as well. They vary in dosage, duration of effectiveness and possible side effects. Other distinctions — for example, which drug is best for certain types of men — aren’t yet known. No study has directly compared these three medications.

Not all men benefit
Although these medications can help many people, not all men can or should take them to treat erectile dysfunction. You should not take these medications if:

• You take nitrate drugs for angina, such as nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, others), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur) and isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
• You take a blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medication
• You take certain types of alpha blockers for enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or high blood pressure

Viagra, Levitra or Cialis may not be a good choice for you if:

• You have severe heart disease or heart failure
• You’ve had a stroke
• You have very low blood pressure (hypotension)
• You have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
• You have uncontrolled diabetes

Don’t expect these medications to fix your erectile dysfunction immediately.

Work with your doctor to find the right treatment and dose for you. Dosages may need adjusting. Or you may need to alter when you take the medication.

Before taking any medication — including Viagra, Levitra or Cialis — make sure to discuss with your doctor:

• Potential benefits and side effects of the medication you are considering
• Any illnesses or serious health problems you have now or have had in the past
• Any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take (including herbal remedies)

Prostaglandin E (alprostadil)
Two treatments involve using a drug called alprostadil. Alprostadil is a synthetic version of the hormone prostaglandin E. The hormone helps relax muscle tissue in the penis, which enhances the blood flow needed for an erection. There are two ways to use alprostadil:

• Needle-injection therapy. With this method, you use a fine needle to inject alprostadil (Caverject, Edex) into the base or side of your penis. This generally produces an erection in five to 20 minutes that lasts about an hour. Because the injection goes directly into the spongy cylinders that fill with blood, alprostadil is an effective treatment for many men. And because the needle used is so fine, pain from the injection site is usually minor. Other side effects may include bleeding from the injection, prolonged erection and formation of fibrous tissue at the injection site. The cost per injection can be expensive. Injecting a mixture of alprostadil and other prescribed drugs may be a less expensive and more effective option. These other drugs may include papaverine and phentolamine.
• Self-administered intraurethral therapy (Muse). This treatment involves using a disposable applicator to insert a tiny alprostadil suppository, about half the size of a grain of rice, into the tip of your penis. The suppository, placed about two inches into your urethra, is absorbed by erectile tissue in your penis, increasing the blood flow that causes an erection. Although needles aren’t involved, you may still find this method painful or uncomfortable. Side effects may include pain, minor bleeding in the urethra, dizziness and formation of fibrous tissue.

Hormone replacement therapy
For the small number of men who have testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy may be an option.

Penis pumps
This treatment involves the use of a hollow tube with a hand-powered or battery-powered pump. The tube is placed over the penis, and then the pump is used to suck out the air. This creates a vacuum that pulls blood into the penis. Once you achieve an adequate erection, you slip a tension ring around the base of your penis to maintain the erection. You then remove the vacuum device. The erection typically lasts long enough for a couple to have sex. You remove the tension ring after intercourse.

Vascular surgery
This treatment is usually reserved for men whose blood flow has been blocked by an injury to the penis or pelvic area. Surgery may also be used to correct erectile dysfunction caused by vascular blockages. The goal of this treatment is to correct a blockage of blood flow to the penis so that erections can occur naturally. But the long-term success of this surgery is unclear.

Penile implants
This treatment involves surgically placing a device into the two sides of the penis, allowing erection to occur as often and for as long as desired. The inflatable device allows you to control when and how long you have an erection, the semirigid rods keep the penis in a rigid state all the time. These implants consist of either an inflatable device or semirigid rods made from silicone or polyurethane. This treatment is often expensive and is usually not recommended until other methods have been considered or tried first. As with any surgery, there is a small risk of complications such as infection.

Psychological counseling and sex therapy
If stress, anxiety or depression is the cause of your erectile dysfunction, your doctor may suggest that you, or you and your partner, visit a psychologist or counselor with experience in treating sexual problems (sex therapist). Even if it is caused by something physical, erectile dysfunction can create stress and relationship tension. Counseling can help, especially when your partner participates.

	HBP damages arteries. There are two root causes of erectile dysfunction (ED): psychological and medical. High blood pressure is a contributing medical factor that leads to ED. HBP damages the entire vascular system.
	Adequate blood flow is necessary for erection. Because effective blood flow through the arteries and veins is essential to achieve and sustain an erection, any problem that impairs blood flow can cause ED. A number of medical causes associated with erectile dysfunction are problems with the arterial system.

Although many men resist seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction, those who do may discover an underlying medical problem, such as hardening of the arteries or untreated diabetes.

Erectile dysfunction, a sexual problem that affects between 15 million and 30 million American men, can be caused by injury, stress, or certain diseases or medications, among other things. A man with erectile dysfunction has a repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. While the incidence of erectile dysfunction increases with age, erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable part of aging. There are medicines (such as Viagra^®, Levitra^®, Erectine® and Cialis^®) that can effectively treat erectile dysfunction at any age; and additional types of erectile dysfunction medication are currently being tested for safety and effectiveness.