Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a pathology of male sexual function, which is characterized by the inability to achieve an erection, and also maintaining, but insufficient erection for a full sexual intercourse, if this or that condition continues for 3 months and longer.
This type of sexual disorder is one of the most common in the modern world, since it occurs in 52% of males aged 40–70 years. And 20% of all men 30+ have difficulty with an erection from time to time. It should also be noted that ED occurs in smokers by 15–20% more often than among men who are not subject to this bad habit. But, in general, almost any man at least once in his life had a violation of erectile function.
Factors enabling
Men would be better off remembering that there are risk factors for erectile dysfunction, which include:
- high weight (and even less obesity);
- age;
- bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse);
- drug addiction (from any drug);
- depressive or similar conditions;
- metabolic syndrome;
- violation of lipid metabolism;
- vitamin deficiency;
- various adverse external factors (radiation, other types of radiation, etc.).
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Even before starting treatment, doctors advise all patients with ED to make adjustments to their lifestyle, as well as build a competent regimen of sexual activity. The issue of cancellation / replacement of some medications taken by the patient is also essential, if they adversely affect the erection. It is also important to solve the existing cardiological and neurological problems. The former are eliminated (if possible) with the help of narrow specialists, the latter - by psychotherapists.
Erectile dysfunction treatment methods are generally chosen depending on the cause of ED. In most cases, the therapeutic course is divided into 2 stages:
1. First, if there is evidence, doctors prescribe drugs that stimulate an erection. And also with androgen deficiency - testosterone-increasing drugs. The specialist selects the dose and regimen individually. At this stage, psychotherapy with the participation of a sexologist will be especially effective.
When the patient does not want the use of drugs or they are contraindicated for him, a local negative procedure is prescribed. pressure at which the penis is placed in a special flask, where a negative pressure is created by a vacuum pump. The method increases blood flow to the penis, leading to an erection. To preserve erectile function, a compression ring is put on the penis (at its base), limiting venous outflow.
2. At the second stage, intracavernous or intraurethral administration of vasoactive drugs is practiced. This is if there is no effect from previously prescribed drugs. The result is a fairly high quality erection, but this technique has both side effects and contraindications.
Surgical methods
When conservative therapy is ineffective, surgical treatment is used for erectile dysfunction. If the patient's penile arteries supplying the pelvic organs are affected, vascular surgery is recommended. And if the patient insists on a radical solution to the problem, he is given phalloendoprosthetics with semi-rigid prostheses, as well as hydraulic implants that simulate an erection.
Prevention of ED
The likelihood of a decrease in erection is reduced if:
- Healthy food;
- exclude bad habits (smoking, alcohol);
- have a regular sex life;
- control body weight and adjust its growth;
- maintain a healthy lifestyle with active rest and regular physical activity;
- control / adjust the level of glucose, as well as blood lipids.
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