What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
February is all about hearts, roses and romance, but if you or your partner has erectile dysfunction, this time of year could be an unpleasant reminder of what was. Erectile dysfunction can shatter lives and damage relationships.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that erectile dysfunction affects 15 million to 30 million men. The incidence of erectile dysfunction increases with age but it is not a problem of age. It is usually a problem of disease.
One leading cause of erectile dysfunction is diabetes. Between 35 to 50 percent of men with diabetes suffer with erectile dysfunction because diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels. Also, men who suffer from an enlarged prostate tend to have higher rates of erectile dysfunction. Other causes include high blood pressure, alcoholism, smoking, obesity and certain medications.
Medical research is finding that erectile dysfunction isn’t just a sexual concern. Several studies have linked erectile dysfunction to coronary artery disease. In one study nearly 70 percent of the men who experienced erectile dysfunction later experienced angina or chest pain from heart disease. For them, erectile dysfunction was an early warning sign of their coronary artery disease.
This makes sense if you consider that the build up of artery plaque or atherosclerosis that can block up the arteries of the heart can also affect other arteries throughout the body. The arteries of the penis are smaller than the arteries in the heart so they could become blocked faster.
Television commercials market erectile dysfunction medications like Cialis, Levitra and Viagra around the clock. These medications are FDA approved and very effective in treating erectile dysfunction. The major drawback with these drugs is the way they interact with nitroglycerin. Taking nitroglycerin during the active period of one of these erectile dysfunction medicines could cause a life threatening drop in blood pressure.
Other very effective treatments are simple lifestyle changes.
* Stop smoking. Cigarette smoking restricts blood flow.
* Lose weight. Obesity can decrease testosterone levels.
* Control cholesterol levels. Increased cholesterol in the blood can lead to increased plaques in the arteries to the penis thus restricting blood flow.
There are other heavily advertised non-FDA approved herbal type medications for erectile dysfunction. Any use of these types of drugs should definitely be discussed with your doctor since erectile dysfunction can be a warning sign of heart disease as well as an indicator of other health problems.
Never before has erectile dysfunction been so treatable. Treatment begins with a private conversation with your doctor. He will begin by reviewing your personal health history and checking some blood work. There are many causes of erectile dysfunction and identifying them is important.
Men today should realize that they aren’t alone with erectile dysfunction anymore. There are effective treatments. With your doctor’s help February can once more become all about hearts roses, romance and maybe a little blue pill or two.