LIVING WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION?

There can be many symptoms, but usually no main cause for erectile dysfunction. Symptoms are not always noticeable, but those that are usually include trouble getting an erection, trouble maintaining an erection during sexual activities, and a reduced interest in sex. Other not as identifiable symptoms can be premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, and anorgasmia (the inability to achieve an orgasm after ample stimulation).

Listed below are many factors that can attribute to the cause:

1. Cardiovascular disease
2. Hypertension or high blood pressure
3. Diabetes
4. High cholesterol
5. Obesity
6. Low testosterone levels or hormone imbalances
7. Kidney disease
8. Increased age
9. Stress
10. Anxiety
11. Depression
12. Relationship problems
13. Certain medications used to treat depression or high blood pressure
14. Sleep disorders
15. Drug use
16. Consuming too much alcohol
17. Using tobacco products
18. Certain health conditions like Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
19. Damage to the pelvic area through surgery (Prostate surgery) or injury
20. Peyronie’s Disease, this can cause scar tissue in the penis

Looking at the underlying cause is the start, and a multiple treatment process like using medications and talk therapy are helpful. There are erectile dysfunction drugs available over the counter. However, please consult your doctor before buying and using.

All medications come with side effects, so it is important to consult with your doctor before starting.

Testosterone therapy, talk therapy, and Vacuum Pump treatments are all used in conjunction with medications. Talk therapy is used around the possible psychological aspect of ED. These can include:

• Depression
• Anxiety /Performance Anxiety
• Stress
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Vacuum Pump treatments is the process of using a plastic tube that is placed on the penis to draw blood, thus stimulating an erection.

With all this being said there are also natural based remedies to help treat ED. Different herbs and supplements have been linked in helping to cure ED in some cases. Both these can be purchased at your local grocery store or health food store. Look for the following:

• Asparagus racemosus
• Ginseng (Korean red ginseng)
• L-arginine
• L-carnitine

These along with many others are available. However, just like medications you should consult your doctor about certain side effects that can be linked to herbs and supplements as well.

Acupuncture and Massage (Prostatic massage) can be very helpful as well.

Before addressing the treatment aspect of ED, you can also look at ways to help prevent it. The steps to prevention can be done at home to make the process more comfortable for you and your partner to help access a long-term cure.

• Keep heart conditions and diabetes under control. These can be directly linked to the cause of ED.
• Regular exercise
• Staying within a healthy weight
• Starting a healthier diet
• Work on reducing stress and anxiety
• No smoking
• Use alcohol in small to moderate consumptions
• Avoid any medications that you have not consulted your doctor about that could affect ED.

Although erectile dysfunction can be prevented and treated from home, there can be more serious causes which need more immediate attention before symptoms begin to worsen.

Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland found in males and is one of the largest and most common form of cancer for this population. The causes can list anywhere from ethnic background, natural aging process, excessive weight gain, and lack of exercise. Although there is no proven strategy to help prevent there are ways to check.

The first being the most accurate, involves a tissue sample being taken from the prostate that undergoes a full examination. Others can include; frequent urination (especially at night), blood in your urine, pain/burning during urination, and a sudden new onset of erectile dysfunction.  By booking regular appointments with your doctor and following the ways for erectile dysfunction prevention, you have a greater chance in maintaining a healthy life.

Another major factor to ED can be incontinence; i.e., the sudden urge to urinate. This can usually be overlooked when dealing with erectile dysfunction. Incontinence can be separated into 4 major types.

• Urinary incontinence
• Stress incontinence
• Overflow incontinence
• Overactive bladder and functional incontinence

The causes of any one of these types can be:

• Weak/overactive bladder muscles
• Weak pelvic floor muscles
• Enlarged prostate in men which can cause a blockage
• Long term nerve damage from disease that affect the bladder

Most seem to be familiar with the main causes, but one may seem to stand out from the rest. This would be the Pelvic Floor and the different muscles that pertain to it.

Your pelvic floor can be found in both men and women. The main treatment to assist in strengthening this area is Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and Shockwave Therapy. Pelvic Floor therapy is a specialized and is used to rehabilitate, recondition and strengthen your pelvic floor. The therapist can help provide both pelvic floor exercises for men, and for women for home use. Pelvic floor physiotherapists can be found throughout the GTA, such as Toronto, Oakville etc.