Erectile dysfunction is surprisingly more common in young men than most people realise. Erectile dysfunction can be a major source of emotional frustration for men and their partners, and an obvious barrier to natural conception. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available, including pills, devices, procedures and even surgery. In this article, we go through several options for you.<\/p>\n
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. Many people think that erectile dysfunction only affects older men, but this is not true! Erectile dysfunction is much more common than you might think, affecting up to 30% of men under the age of 40. Many factors can affect a man’s erection, including psychological stress, hormonal abnormalities, medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, nerve damage and so on. Erectile dysfunction is often a source of significant psychological distress for men, who may experience feelings of frustration, inadequacy, low self-esteem and depression. These men’s partners often also feel the emotional strain of the condition.<\/p>\n
It’s not hard to imagine how erectile dysfunction can be an obstacle to fertility for many couples. After all, sperm has to reach the egg to make a baby! Often, erectile dysfunction is due to “performance anxiety” associated with scheduled intercourse during ovulation. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment<\/a> options.<\/p>\n Many specialists in the field of sexual medicine regard the penis as a window on a man’s health. Since an erection requires a perfect interaction between hormones, blood vessels and nerves, factors that affect these vital bodily systems often manifest themselves in the form of erectile dysfunction. As a result, improved diet, exercise, sleep and weight loss can all play a crucial role in restoring a man’s erections. The first step in treating erectile dysfunction is to look at these lifestyle factors and find areas that can be improved. Thirty minutes of (cardio) exercise a day can significantly improve erectile function. Many of the same factors affecting erectile dysfunction can also have a negative impact on sperm count, so you can kill two birds with one stone by improving your lifestyle!<\/p>\n Viagra, the “little blue pill”, revolutionised the field of erectile dysfunction when it was launched in 1998, and today remains one of the most popular drugs prescribed for erectile dysfunction. Viagra is one of four drugs in the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor class, all of which act on the same biochemical pathway to promote blood flow to the penis by generating a molecule called nitric oxide. Cialis is probably the second most commonly prescribed drug and can be taken as a low-dose daily pill, allowing greater spontaneity during intercourse. Levitra and Spedra also have advantages and disadvantages in terms of side-effect profile, and some patients may prefer one over the other. The subtleties between the different options deserve to be discussed with a urologist in order to find the best option for each patient. Be careful not to take these drugs before consulting a specialist.<\/p>\n Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid, widely available in the form of over-the-counter food supplements. This amino acid can help promote the formation of nitric oxide, the key molecule used to generate an erection. Patients looking for a natural, non-prescription supplement can benefit.<\/p>\nChanging and improving your lifestyle<\/h3>\n
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PD5is) (Viagra) and erectile dysfunction<\/h3>\n
Erectile dysfunction and arginine<\/h3>\n