How to Improve Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not a topic that most men want to freely discuss. ED does not mean that you are infertile, but it can have unintended consequences, especially if it becomes a regular occurrence. The condition can get so bad that you may avoid or become highly anxious at the thought of sexual relations with your partner. At this point, many men contemplate how to improve erectile dysfunction. There are multiple options for ED treatment, and many men are overwhelmed and do not know where to start on their journey to meaningful ED recovery.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

For the majority of men suffering from erectile dysfunction, a visit to their physician for an open discussion about their condition is the logical first step to begin ED treatment. As a general rule, the causes of erectile dysfunction in all men fall into one of two clear-cut categories—psychological or physical. Your physician can offer a wealth of information about ED to help you achieve control of this condition, which is more common than most people think or would like to admit. In addition to a thorough physical examination, your physician will ask you a series of probing questions in an effort to pinpoint whether the cause for your ED is physical or psychological.

Physical

The great majority of cases of erectile dysfunction have their roots in physical causes. Established risk factors for the development of erectile dysfunction may include the following:

• Chronic medical conditions: For many older men, and some younger men, chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol are common contributing factors to erectile dysfunction. All of these chronic medical conditions can decrease blood flow to the penis, which is the root cause of ED.

• Certain prescription medications: More than 200 prescription medications list erectile dysfunction as a potential side effect and, therefore, may cause the condition. The list includes antidepressant medications, medications to treat high blood pressure, allergy medications and pain medications.

• Tobacco use: Smoking causes damage to arteries and veins, restricting the blood flow to the penis. Over time, smoking can also lead to chronic diseases, such as hypertension and heart disease, that are significant causes of ED. As a matter of fact, smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day (one pack) will significantly increase your risk of developing ED.

• Drug and alcohol use: Recreational drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines, are well-known contributors to erectile dysfunction. Chronic alcohol abuse and binge drinking are well-established causes of erectile dysfunction, but even low doses of alcohol have the potential to induce ED.

• Certain medical treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy for cancer, such as prostate, colon, or bladder, have the potential of ED as a side effect. These procedures can damage the nerves and blood vessels responsible for an erection.

Psychological

Overall, psychological conditions are a less predominant cause of erectile dysfunction compared to physical conditions. The mind and body work together to produce an erection and that interaction can be affected by certain situations or conditions, which may include:

• Pressure to perform during sex: This is better known as “performance anxiety” and is among the most common psychological causes of erectile dysfunction. It can spiral out of control and make ED chronic, which can lead to relationship conflicts.

• Depression: Fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and trouble sleeping are well known symptoms of depression. A less talked about but common symptom of this mental disorder is ED.

• Stress: Whether at work or at home, stress can be a significant contributor to erectile dysfunction. In addition, it can have a detrimental effect on hormones critical to the erectile process.

• Reliance on ED treatment: In today’s society, the recreational use of ED treatment medication has become popular. Over time, men may develop a psychological reliance on these medications and feel an erection is not obtainable without them.

ED Treatment

ED treatment is recommended sooner than later because of the physical and psychological tolls the condition may take. As a result, ED treatment may consist of changes in lifestyle, prescription medications, external aids, and/or a new, innovative treatment known as low-intensity shockwave therapy.

Lifestyle measures

ED treatment should be comprehensive and starts with lifestyle measures that you can implement on your own, which may include the following:

• Regular exercise: Many men find that their ED improves when they exercise regularly. You should be sure to consult your physician before the commencement of a regular exercise regimen to ensure that the type of exercise you choose is suitable.

• Lose weight: Obesity or being overweight can damage the arteries and veins that are crucial for blood flow into the penis for an erection. Losing weight may also help ED by lowering inflammation, increasing testosterone, relieving depression, and boosting self-confidence.

• Quit smoking: Many men who quit smoking often report improvement in erectile dysfunction. Smoking cessation aids include nicotine patches, gums, sprays, and lozenges as well as prescription medications.

• Eat a healthy diet: Increasing your dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and whole grains not only has the potential to lead to improvement in ED but also may combat the development of chronic diseases that often lead to erectile dysfunction.

• Control your blood sugar: It is no secret that diabetes is a major contributor to ED. Managing diabetes well with diet, exercise, and medications has the potential to reverse damage to blood vessels and nerves, thereby improving erectile dysfunction.

• Treat high blood pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension), is a common cause of erectile dysfunction, as it can interfere with blood flow to the penis. Exercise, a low sodium diet, and prescription medications can not only manage hypertension but also lead to improvement in ED.

• Treat depression: This is a catch 22 as depression may lead to ED and erectile dysfunction may lead to depression. Nevertheless, adequate treatment of your depression has the potential to improve ED.

• Remain sexually active: Regular sexual intercourse may be protective against erectile dysfunction. Having sex less than once a week may increase your chances of developing ED.

Prescription medications

If lifestyle changes do not cause adequate improvement in ED, physicians may recommend prescription medications. The cornerstones of ED treatment are oral medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), and avanafil (Stendra®). They belong to a class of medications referred to as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which work by increasing the diameter of blood vessels, and therefore blood flow, to the penis. As with any prescription medication, there is the potential for side effects with PDE5 inhibitors, which may include nasal congestion, headaches, or visual changes.

External aids

Because ED treatment with oral medications is not always successful, the next level of ED treatment that may be considered is an external aid. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved external aids for ED treatment include penile injections or suppositories, vacuum constriction devices, or penile surgery for the placement of semirigid or inflatable implants. Currently, alprostadil is the only medication approved for penile self-injections or suppositories. Keep in mind that if your ED treatment provides an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, emergency medical evaluation may be required. You may be experiencing priapism, which is a painful prolonged erection that can lead to permanent penile damage and untreatable erectile dysfunction. All of these external aid approaches to ED treatment have fair to excellent results.

Low-intensity shockwave therapy (PulseWave)

Low-intensity shockwave (LISWT) therapy represents state-of-the-art non-invasive ED treatment. LISWT can be used in all men who suffer from ED or those who do not but simply wish to improve the quality of their erections, increase sexual sensitivity, and possibly promote longer duration of sexual activity. This new technology utilizes sound wave energy to promote repair of damaged blood vessels and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow to the penis. The result is an ED treatment providing more rigid and easier to maintain erections. Most men (70-80%) report improvement in erectile dysfunction after only 6 in-office treatment sessions with LISWT, and the majority of these men had maintenance of their positive effects for at least a year, maybe 2.

Because of its potential for devastating physical and emotional effects, the importance of treating erectile dysfunction as soon as possible should be emphasized. If you are seeking ED treatment, do not hesitate to contact Comprehensive Urology today for an initial consultation. The board-certified physicians at Comprehensive Urology are specialists in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and will formulate a personalized treatment plan, providing you with the best possible outcomes for ED treatment.