Talking about male impotence or erection deficiencies can be embarrassing or even taboo. Many men suffer from this condition but are unable or unwilling to talk about. There are several remedies, however, that can be of use to males that have this condition. For that reason, it becomes important to understand what the condition is, what causes it, and what drugs are available to combat it. Further, knowing that drugs exist to help with the condition is only half of the story. Individuals also need to know the answer to this question - how do erectile dysfunction drugs work?. The following explains this information, too.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is the inability of a man to garner and maintain an erection. His penis is not able to become functioning and hard enough in order to complete normal and appropriate sexual acts like other men. Often, this condition is traumatic and can cause many problems. Of course, there are the intimacy issues that arise. Men are unable to perform sexually as they wish or have done in the past. They can lose partners or become overwhelmed by the idea that they are not able to perform sexually when and how they want.

Having erectile dysfunction or (ED) is also psychologically damaging. Men with the condition can show symptoms of withdrawal, frustration, and even depression. Though it may feel like ED is a singular disease, as it is suffered as such, it truly is not. It is said that half of men, to some degree, experience ED problems in some variance of degree. This does not have to be full blown ED but simply a problem with erectile functioning. Only a fraction of these men, though, seek help for their condition.

Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction

There are several disorders, unassociated with sexual health, that can lead to ED. Among the most common of these diseases are those involving the cardiovascular system. This is because the body and the blood flow need to be working properly in order to create an erection. An erection in men is caused by blood flow, due to sexual stimulation, to the penis. For that reason, when there are blood flow problems, it becomes easier to have issues with the penis and it’s functioning.

This can be especially seen in the linkages between high blood pressure and vascular disease, which tightens the vessels. Heart disease is another cardiovascular disease that plays a role and can impact erectile health. Other diseases, too, can cause erectile dysfunction. These include diabetes and depression as well. Further, nervous system disorders can cause or lead to ED, too. For this reason, ED should not be taken and understood as simply a sexual health problem. It is much more than that and could be your body’s way of telling you that.

Medications

There are several brand name medications as well as generic ones that are on the market for treating erectile dysfunction. How these drugs work depends on the type and nature of the choice or prescription. However, there are commonalities for each. The drugs are meant to essentially stimulate blood flow to the penis. They are not meant to cure the disorder. That is, taking any medication will not stop ED but will simply alleviate the symptoms. Increased blood flow the penis is meant to help and encourage healthy erections when introduced to a sexual stimulus, such as arousal. This allows individual men to display and keep an erection that lasts longer than it had previously.

Viagra is one of the most popular drugs on the market. Introduced in 1998, it has quickly become a top seller among these types of drugs. It has been clinically proven to improve erections in those who need the help. It is not for use in healthily functioning men. In order for the pill to work, stimulation must occur. It will not randomly cause an erection. In Viagra, the pill works by blocking the enzyme in the penis that is used for arousal. It allows instead the chemicals that cause an erection to last longer and with more vigor.

These chemicals are those that are involved with arousal. For that reason, this is why arousal needs to occur in order for the drug to work best. This pill should be taken about an hour to a half hour prior to sexual activity of any kind in which an erection is desired. No more than one pill, however, should be taken within a twenty-four hour period of time. Further, this pill needs to be taken on an empty stomach in order to ensure that it works more quickly.

Remember, upping the dosage of this pill will not do anything for your erection. It will simply mean that you have wasted time and increased your risk for side effects while taking the drug. There are several other pills and drugs like Viagra that are on the market that work in much the same way, though the actual usage of the pill and terms under which it can be taken are different. These include those pills with vardenafil, tadalafill, and other erection inducing chemicals. The wait time on each of these drugs can be different as well.

Now You Know

Now that you know the answer to the question – how do erectile dysfunction drugs work? Therefore, be sure to ask your doctor about your options. They will be able to walk you through the benefits and side effects of the drugs and keep you healthy in your sexual pursuits.

Erectile dysfunction is the condition when a man cannot maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. It is highly common among men and probably the most frequently diagnosed sexual dysfunction. The severity of erectile dysfunction widely varies among patient. Some men lose all ability for any sort of erection while other men can only maintain an erection for a brief period of time.

There are many causes of erectile dysfunction, including heart disease, obesity, and prostate cancer. One leading cause is alcohol consumption. The one or two drinks that you may have with dinner is not going to cause long term cases of erectile dysfunction. Long term alcohol abuse will lead to the disorder though. In fact, it is the leading cause of impotence in men.

How alcohol affects the body

It is widely known that alcohol is a depressant, and it depresses the nervous system. This blocks the connection between the brain and the rest of the body. Think about how speech is slurred and motor skills are impaired when alcohol is being consumed. Thus, the signal from the brain to the genitals is also severely impaired.

The nervous system is what makes the blood flow and what makes the blood vessels expand and contract. That expansion leads to erections. The nervous system also registers the touch that gets a penis erect. Without a functional nervous system, the body is unable to function to its full capabilities and is thus unable to create and maintain a satisfactory erection. It even has been known to squash the ability to orgasm altogether.

There are many social and physical levels of the effects of alcohol on the body, and there is no doubt that it affected the sexual life of a man. As a man, how alcohol affects you depends on the amount of alcohol you consume and the frequency of your drinking. According to researchers, some of the effects of alcohol on the body are:

• Increase in sexual aggression
• Reduction in sexual desire
• Problem with getting and maintaining erections
• Infertility
• Delayed ejaculation or difficulty in ejaculating

Short term remedies

A drink or two can help relax a person and lead to a romantic encounter. Though sometimes it happens; that crazy night out and you want to have intercourse with your partner at the end of the night. Short term alcohol consumption doesn’t need to be the end of your evening. Try flushing out the alcohol by drinking some water. A few glasses should do the trick.

Long term alcohol abuse and ED

Too much of anything is a bad thing, and long term alcohol abuse often times leads to permanent impairment to penile nerves, which leads to impotence. Sixty to seventy percent of heavy drinkers suffer from erectile dysfunctions. Hormone levels are also largely affected by alcohol consumption; specifically, testosterone and estrogen. Too little testosterone lowers sex drive and sex functionality. It can also permanently destroy testicular cells.

This leads to shrunken testicles. Sperm count and sperm movement is also impaired with large amounts of alcohol consumption. This obviously also leads to reproductive issues. Long term nerve damage in the penis may result, and this slows the signals between the brain and genitals. Even when sober, long-term abusers will have a difficult time maintaining an erection. If the alcohol abuse is bad enough, not even a prescription medicine can help in achieving erections.

Depression

Many alcoholics end up having depression as well, and that alone is seen as a cause of erectile dysfunction. Many depressed people turn to alcohol as a vice. So it isn’t very surprising then that alcoholics suffer from erectile dysfunction as a result of alcohol. It is a serious and vicious cycle.

Remedies

If large amounts of alcohol consumption are an ongoing issue, the patient must take control of the alcohol abuse as well as the erectile dysfunction in order to fully conquer the issues. Alcoholics Anonymous is a popular way of dealing with alcohol abuse. Speak to your doctor about potential depression issues. Many times an anti-depressant will help with that issue, and not all anti-depressants lead to slower libidos. Working with a medical professional will help you find the correct chemical balance for you.

Herbal remedies such as ginseng and ginkgo biloba are used in Asia to help men with erectile dysfunction. For short term damage, this may be the trick for you. Also, supplements such as zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and flaxseed may help improve erectile dysfunction. Before starting any sort of herbal treatment, be sure to speak with your physician.

A homeopathic doctor may be able to aid in erectile dysfunction as well. There are a couple options for those suffering as a result of alcohol consumption. Agnus castus is used among patients that have had healthy sexual activity for years and are suddenly faced with erectile dysfunction. Selenium metallicum is useful for men with strong libidos but who suffer from impotence due to illness or other factors.

Too much alcohol is always an unhealthy thing. It slows down the entire body leading to permanent damage. Most men would prefer to keep their sex drive strong as well as their sex organs. Keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum, and not exceeding two or three drinks a day is key in preventing erectile dysfunction.

All medications have side effects. Erectile dysfunction medication is no exception and there are things about the medication that can be harmful to you or your body chemistry. You need to be under a doctor’s care in order to get the prescription because you need to be able to monitor all your levels in order to make sure the side effects are not causing you harm.

Erectile Dysfunction Drugs: The Non-Lethal Side Effects

Almost every label lists a ridiculous number of potential side effects; things that might have only happened to one person in the whole history of the drug. These can be things like headaches, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness and even aches and pains. Because erectile dysfunction medication does change your blood flow, the headaches and light-headedness are likely side effects. These might not be major enough for you to stop taking the medication but if they become severe you should make sure you doctor knows about them and how often the side effect happens. Headaches can lead to bigger problems if you are not careful.

The Dangerous Side Effects

Most of the dangerous side effects of erectile dysfunction medications have to do with heart and circulation problems. In general, the drug alters the blood flow of the body in order to change the path to your penis and it can be bad if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. Many people with heart problems are not allowed to have sex at all. You should be very careful and note any type of chest pain you experience when on the medication or during sex. Strokes and aneurysms are another dangerous side effect. Because your blood flow changes, this can throw clots or cause damage to the artery walls that can lead to splitting. A doctor will monitor your pressures as well as your history in order to determine if erectile dysfunction medication is okay for you.

The Unlikely Side Effects

A full blown stroke, heart attack or aortic dissection is possible when on erectile dysfunction medication. If you are monitored by a doctor and you follow the directions given to you, these are unlikely. But you should know that it is possible and you should note how your body feels in order to avoid such horrible side effects. It is up to you to know if you are experiencing discomfort or unusual feelings. You also need to note if your mental capacity seems to change as this can be a sign of an aneurysm or stroke.

All medications can be scary. Everyone’s body is different and thereby you respond to things differently than other people will. It is your doctor’s responsibility to monitor you based on the information you give him. This means you need to be aware of your body and report any changes so you can be monitored properly. A doctor is only as good as the information given to him and a medication is only good if you use it properly.

Erectile dysfunction is not entirely avoidable, but there are steps you can take to avoid developing it. Much of what happens to our bodies as we age have to do with changing body chemistry. This change in body chemistry is not then matched with a change in our behavior and then our body cannot keep up the form we want it to. We have to adjust as we age to reduce our risks of many problems.

Exercise to Keep Testosterone Level Higher

Low testosterone levels play into erectile dysfunction. While your body will produce less testosterone as you age, some of it decreases because you no longer exercise as much as you once did. When you are a child, you exercise without even thinking about it, but as the responsibilities of adulthood take over it can be easy to let your activity level wane. You should step up your exercise level in order to increase testosterone.

Keep Your Weight in Health Limits

Exercise can help with this one too, but keeping your weight down also helps make sure your testosterone is at the right level. The less weight you put on, the more likely you are to keep your sex levels working properly. Staying thin also helps keep you feeling good about sexual contact which helps keep you away from erectile dysfunction from developing.

Eat Right, Balance is Key

Your body is a balance of chemistry, minerals and functions. By eating correctly you allow your body to process food properly and build the strength and proper levels of all the hormones and levels in your body. The more closely you adhere to a balanced diet the more likely you are to keep erectile dysfunction at bay. Your body can not work properly if you are putting bad food into it and it cannot metabolize things properly.

Reduce Stress Levels

Stress is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. You need to find healthy ways to deal with your stress in order to keep working properly. You need to be able to separate yourself from your outside pains and problems in order to focus on the positive sexual energy. This can mean meditating, having rules about dealing with work at home or even just taking a walk to release your problems of the day.

Stay Inspired, Take the Time

Busy schedules often lead to erectile dysfunction. If you have been married for a long time, you need to take the time to be with one another. You have to reach out and stay inspired. This can mean taking mini weekends away, or planning sex so that you make sure you stay in the habit. Erectile dysfunction can sometimes come from the lack of use and then you expect it to be normal when you finally do. You should work to keep your sex life active so you notice any problem as it develops rather than waiting until it is too late.

Obesity is a growing cause of concern amongst Americans especially given the hectic lifestyles that we lead and the love that we as a nation have for junk food.  This is a medical condition and occurs when the body fat has exceeded the permissible limits. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures show that more than 1/3rd of American Adults and 1/6th of American children are obese. If the current trend continues any further, it could cause a lot of issues for the general wellbeing and health of Americans. Obesity is caused mainly due to a sedentary lifestyle coupled with a poor diet and lack or exercise.  However there are some cases where the condition has been caused by psychiatric illness, genetics or other medical reasons.

Obesity has umpteen adverse health effects on the human body which in turn leads to reduce life expectancy and one of them is heart diseases. Until recently, however it was assumed that there is no relation between obesity and heart diseases. However studies have shown that obesity is related to heart diseases as well as it also independently predicts the risk of cardiovascular diseases in both men and women. Some of the cardiovascular diseases that you are at risk of are sudden cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythm, and angina.

While heart diseases are life threatening and are directly linked to obesity, they could also be a symptom of certain other health conditions such as Erectile Dysfunction, commonly known as ED.

What Is ED

ED is also a medical condition and is a growing concern amongst Americans these days. ED has been defined by the National Institute of Health as the inability to develop or maintain an erection. Living with ED can be stressful. Research shows that the health of the heart and the functioning of the penis in men are closely related. It all depends on the blood flow to the penis shaft. Arteries in the body supply blood to the heart as well as the penis and they are lined with endothelium. Blood flow in the body is facilitated by a chain reaction that takes place in the body, the key part being the release of nitric oxide. When the endothelium does not respond to the release of nitric oxide, it hampers the flow of blood to the penis thus disrupting the chemical process that facilitates an erection. The main reason for the non responsiveness of the endothelium is due to the plaque buildup in the arteries and this medical condition is known as Atherosclerosis also known as clogged arteries. What adds to the issue is that since the arteries supplying blood to the penis is smaller than the other arteries in the body, the presence of clogged arteries first shows up as Erectile Dysfunction. The arteries get clogged due to various reasons including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, having diabetes, smoking, depression, and obesity.

Treatment for erectile dysfunction caused due to heart diseases is quite simple but has to be followed with rigor and discipline. Treatment includes changing your diet from junk food to following a balanced and nutritious diet, making simple changes to your lifestyle such as waking up early, going to bed early, indulging in physical and outdoor activities, leading an active lifestyle, exercising, and focusing on the good things in life. If you smoke, then quitting smoking also helps reduce the risk of heart disease and in turn reduces the risk of erectile dysfunction. It is also of utmost importance that you consult your medical practitioner before you make any drastic changes to your lifestyle. When you make changes to your lifestyle after consulting with your doctor, you will notice that it automatically improves your ability to have an erection and keep your heart healthy.