Comparing Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction: What Emerges as the Top Choice?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that affects many men, causing an inability to get or maintain an erection. While it is often associated with physical and psychological factors, recent studies have highlighted social environment, cultural attitudes, medication side effects, and less commonly acknowledged psychological states as common additional causes.
ED can be caused by a range of factors, including medical conditions such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, injuries, high blood pressure, multiple scleroses, kidney disease, heart disease, Peyronie's disease, psychological causes like depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, stress, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol or substance use, being overweight or obese, taking certain medications, and physical inactivity.
In some cultures, the taboo nature of sexual topics discourages open conversations about sexual dysfunction and seeking help. For example, in some cultures like Chinese, sex is considered a highly private and taboo topic, which can indirectly worsen ED by preventing patients from addressing or managing their condition effectively.
Over 200 prescription medications can contribute to or worsen ED, often including antidepressants, antihypertensives, and sedatives. Other less common causes of ED include sexual boredom and unresolved emotional trauma.
Treatment methods for ED may depend on the cause. For those with physical causes, medication options such as Sildenafil (Viagra), Vardenafil (Levitra), Tadalafil (Cialis), and Avanafil (Stendra) are available. These belong to the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor class of drugs, which work by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis to improve blood flow and help achieve and maintain an erection.
Sildenafil takes 30 minutes to 4 hours to start working, while Tadalafil takes at least 30 minutes but can last for up to 36 hours. Avanafil can take effect after a person takes the drug and may last for up to 6 hours. However, these medications can come with risks and side effects, including headaches, nausea, hot flashes, a stuffy or runny nose, dizziness, vision problems, and chest pains, fever-like symptoms, or a painful erection that lasts for several hours.
For those with psychological causes, psychotherapy may be a good option. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of psychotherapy that aims to change thought and behavior patterns that cause problems.
Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, following a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking may also help with ED. For those who find it difficult to achieve an erection with medication or who prefer non-drug options, vacuum devices and ED rings can be effective. Vacuum devices use a mechanical pump to create an erection by drawing blood into the shaft of the penis, while ED rings are bands that go around the base of the penis, restricting blood flow out of the penis to help maintain an erection.
If a person is concerned they may be experiencing ED, they can speak to a doctor or healthcare provider about choosing the best form of treatment for them. It is important to remember that ED is a treatable condition, and with the right approach, many men can regain their sexual health and confidence.
- Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and self-esteem problems can contribute to ED, and psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), may help manage these psychological factors.
- Medications such as antidepressants, antihypertensives, and sedatives, among over 200 prescription drugs, can worsen or cause ED, making it crucial for men to discuss their medication use with their healthcare providers.
- Anthrax, a less common cause of ED, is not typically associated with men's health, health-and-wellness, or sexual-health concerns, but it can indirectly affect one's sexual function by causing systemic infection and related complications.
- Medicare covers various therapies-and-treatments for ED, including medications like Sildenafil (Viagra), Vardenafil (Levitra), Tadalafil (Cialis), and Avanafil (Stendra), which belong to the PDE5 inhibitor class of drugs.
- While it may be challenging for some men in particular cultures, such as Chinese, to discuss sexual health openly due to cultural taboos, addressing and managing ED can lead to significant improvements in mens' mental-health, sexual-health, and overall health-and-wellness.
