Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Since an erection requires a precise sequence of events, Erectile Dysfunction can occur when any of the events is disrupted. The sequence includes nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, and area around the penis, and response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and near the corpora cavernosa.

Damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues, often as a result of disease, is the most common cause of Erectile Dysfunction. Diseases--such as diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurologic disease--account for about 70 percent of Erectile Dysfunction cases. Between 35 and 50 percent of men with diabetes experience Erectile Dysfunction.

Also, surgery (especially radical prostate and bladder surgery for cancer) can injure nerves and arteries near the penis, causing Erectile Dysfunction. Injury to the penis, spinal cord, prostate, bladder, and pelvis can lead to Erectile Dysfunction by harming nerves, smooth muscles, arteries, and fibrous tissues of the corpora cavernosa.

In addition, many common medicines--blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine (an ulcer drug)--can produce Erectile Dysfunction as a side effect.

Experts believe that psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure cause 10 to 20 percent of Erectile Dysfunction cases. Men with a physical cause for Erectile Dysfunction frequently experience the same sort of psychological reactions (stress, anxiety, guilt, depression).

Other possible causes are smoking, which affects blood flow in veins and arteries, and hormonal abnormalities, such as not enough testosterone.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Most physicians suggest that Erectile Dysfunction treatments should proceed from least to most invasive. Cutting back on drugs with harmful side effects should be considered first. For example, drugs for high blood pressure work in different ways. If you think a particular drug is causing erection problems, contact your doctor and ask if can try a different class of blood pressure medicine.

Psychotherapy and behavior modification in select patients is considered next, followed by oral or locally injected drugs, vacuum devices, and surgically implanted devices. In rare cases, surgery involving veins or arteries may be considered.

Erectile Dysfunction Psychotherapy Treatments

Experts often treat psychologically-based erectile dysfunction using techniques that decrease anxiety associated with intercourse. The patient's partner can help with the techniques, which include gradual development of intimacy and stimulation. Such techniques can also help relieve anxiety when erectile dysfunction from physical causes is being treated.

Erectile Dysfunction Drug Therapy Treatments

Drugs for treating ED can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis, or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. In March, 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra, the first pill to treat male Erectile Dysfunction. In August, 2003, the FDA approved a second oral medicine, vardenafil hydrochloride (Levitra) and Cialis (tadalafil). Additional oral medicines are being tested for safety and effectiveness.

Taken an hour before sexual activity, Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate), Cialis and Levitra enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes muscles in the penis during sexual stimulation and allows increased blood flow.

While oral medicines improve response to sexual stimulation, they do not trigger automatic erections as injections do. The recommended dose for Viagra is 50 mg, and physicians may adjust this dose to 100 mg or 25 mg, depending on the patient.

The recommended dose for Levitra is 10 mg, and physicians may adjust this to 20 mg if it is insufficient. Lower doses of 5 mg and 2.5 mg are available for patients who take other medicines or have conditions that may decrease the body's ability to use Levitra.

The recommended dose for Cialis is 20mg and the effect lasts up to 36 hours.

None of these drugs should be used more than once daily. Men who take nitrate-based drugs such as nitroglycerin for heart problems should not use them because the combination can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Also, Levitra should not be taken with drugs called alpha-blockers, used to treat prostate enlargement or high blood pressure.

Oral testosterone can reduce erectile dysfunction in men with low levels of natural testosterone, but it is often ineffective and may cause liver damage. Patients have also claimed that other oral drugs--including Yohimbe hydrochloride, dopamine and serotonin agonists, and trazodone--are effective, but the results of studies to substantiate these claims have been inconsistent. Also, Yohimbe has potentially toxic effects.

Many men achieve stronger erections by injecting drugs into the penis, engorging it with blood. Drugs such as papaverine hydrochloride, phentolamine, and alprostadil (marketed as Caverject) widen blood vessels. These drugs may create unwanted side effects, including persistent erection (known as priapism) and scarring. Nitroglycerin, a muscle relaxant, can sometimes enhance erection when rubbed on the penis.

A system for inserting a pellet of alprostadil into the urethra is marketed as Muse. A pre-filled applicator delivers the pellet about an inch deep into the urethra. An erection will begin within 8 to 10 minutes and may last 30 to 60 minutes. The most common side effects are aching in the penis, testicles, and area between the penis and rectum; warmth or a burning sensation in the urethra; redness from increased blood flow to the penis; and minor urethral bleeding or spotting.

Research on drugs for treating erectile dysfunction is expanding rapidly. Patients should ask their doctor about the latest advances.

Erectile Dysfunction Herb Treatments

Herbal Nutrients That Promote All Aspects of Male Health Naturally Treat Many of The Conditions That Cause Erectile Dysfunction

There are multiple causes of sexual dysfunction and low sex drive which can range from mild (low sex drive, weak erections, lack of energy, slow and weak ejaculation) to severe (total inability to achieve erection and complete lack of sexual desire).

These causes can be:

• Cardiovascular
• Renal or urological
• Nutritional (malnutrition, vitamin deficiency)
• Endocrine (hormonal, i.e. low testosterone or high prolactin)
• Neurological
• Psychological (stress, anxiety, etc.)
• Pharmacological (alcohol, smoking, recreational and prescription drugs)
• Environmental toxins (lead, herbicides)
• General systemic health problems

By improving health in these areas, you can often resolve sexual dysfunction issues. This is perhaps where natural herbal supplements provide the greatest benefit to a man's sexual performance.
 

Three Herbs That Work Like Viagra

If you are looking for herbal alternatives to Viagra, backed by research, here are two that work like Viagra.

Shilajit

The anti-stress and adjuvant effects were evaluated through a battery of tests. Shilajit provided a anti-oxidant defense against several reactive oxygen types. Processed Shilajit provided complete protection to methacrylate against hydroxyl radical induced polymerization and acted as a reversible nitric oxide-captodative agent. These findings are consistent with the therapeutic uses of Shilajit as an Ayurvedic (rejuvenator) against oxidative stress and geriatric complaints of erectile dysfunction.

Horny Goat Weed (Viagra effect)

Horny goat weed has been used for for over 2000 years as a sexual and reproductive tonic. It acts to increase erection ability, size, and fullness.

Horny goat weed contains a prominent flavonoid called icariin. Icariin is a cGMP-specific PDE5 inhibitor like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. This was demonstrated in a 1984 University of Peking study.

It functions like an adaptogen by increasing levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine when low - promoting energy, but it reduces cortisol levels when elevated (an anti-stress effect). High stress conditions can increase cortisol levels, causing fatigue and depressing sex drive.

Finally, horny goat weed can restore low levels of both testosterone and thyroid hormone back to normal - improving sex drive.

Allium Sativum (Garlic)

Yes, good old garlic. In two different 1998 studies from the National University of Mexico and the Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Munich, Germany, garlic was shown to "activate nitric oxide synthase" or enhance the nervous system's ability to react to nitric oxide.

Also, there are multiple studies from the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute demonstrating garlic’s role in both preventing and assisting in curing several medical conditions which often cause erectile dysfunction. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, hypertension and arteriosclerosis.
 

Two Herbs Shown Highly Effective in Treating ED

Mucuna Pruriens

Mucuna Pruriens works to increase testosterone, a prolactin inhibitor and as a growth hormone stimulant.

A U.S. patent was filed in 2002 on the use of mucuna pruriens to stimulate the release of growth hormone in humans. The high levels of l-dopa in the mucuna seed are converted to dopamine which stimulates the release of growth hormones by the pituitary gland. L-dopa and dopamine are effective prolactin inhibitors.

Increased levels of prolactin are considered responsible for 70% of erection failure in males. In one study, oral intake of the seeds in 56 human males was able to improve erection, duration of coitus, and post-coital satisfaction after only four weeks of treatment. It also has fertility promoting and spermatogenic effects in men, improving sperm count and motility.

Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus is a natural testosterone enhancer and also said to be an excellent circulatory system tonic and can help build muscle and strength.

Clinical studies on the sexual activity-enhancing effect of tribulus have shown the herb to contain protodioscin, a saponin constituent, improving libido in men with Erectile Dysfunction due to various causes, libido in women with menopausal symptoms, and sperm motility in infertile and subfertile men.

In another study involving 59 men aged 22-67 suffering from a range of sexual dysfunctions, an increase in sexual desire and fantasies, as well as sexual self-confidence, was reported in almost all of the patients. The subjective experience of pleasure, joy, and satisfaction was reported in 80% of the men, erection improved in over 75% of the men; and the duration of intercourse before ejaculation was prolonged in 25% of the men.

See Reviews of Herbal Supplement Products

Erectile Dysfunction Vacuum Device Treatments

Mechanical vacuum devices cause erection by creating a partial vacuum, which draws blood into the penis, engorging and expanding it. The devices have three components: a plastic cylinder, into which the penis is placed; a pump, which draws air out of the cylinder; and an elastic band, placed around the base of the penis to maintain erection after the cylinder is removed, and remains during intercourse to prevent blood from flowing back into the body (see figure 2).

One variation of the vacuum device involves a semi-rigid rubber sheath placed on the penis and remains after erection is attained, and during intercourse.

Erectile Dysfunction Surgery Treatments

Surgery has one of three goals:

• to implant a device that causes the penis to become erect.
• to reconstruct arteries to increase blood flow to the penis.
• to block veins that allow blood to leak from penile tissue.

Implanted devices, known as prostheses, can restore erection in many men with ED. Problems with implants can include mechanical breakdown and infection, although mechanical problems have been reduced because of technological advances.

Malleable implants usually consist of paired rods inserted surgically into the corpora cavernosa. The user manually adjusts the position of the penis and, therefore, the rods. Adjustment does not affect the width or length of the penis.

Inflatable implants consist of paired cylinders surgically inserted into the penis and expanded using pressurized fluid (see figure 3). Tubes connect the cylinders to a fluid reservoir and pump, also surgically implanted. The patient inflates the cylinders by pressing on the pump, located under the skin in the scrotum. Inflatable implants can expand the length and width of the penis. They also leave the penis in a more natural state when not inflated.

Surgery to repair arteries can reduce erectile dysfunction caused by obstructions that restrict blood flow. The best candidates for such surgery are young men with discrete artery blockage because of groin injury or fracture of the pelvis. The procedure is almost never successful in older men with widespread blockage.

Surgery to veins that allow blood to leave the penis usually involves a reverse procedure--intentional blockage. Blocking veins (ligation) can reduce the blood leakage that diminishes penis rigidity during erection. However, experts have questioned the long-term effectiveness of this procedure, and it is rarely done.