For a long time, doctors have debunked the myths that difficulties with potency arise exclusively in older men. Today, urologists are increasingly faced with the problem of identifying causes and the need to search for new ways to restore erectile dysfunction in young patients. The proposed treatment methods, subject to timely diagnosis, can significantly improve the quality of a man’s sexual life.
general information
Erectile dysfunction is a recurring condition characterized by a violation of the quality of an erection, the inability to maintain it for a certain time and to reach the extent necessary for a full-fledged sexual act. This term was first introduced in 1992. The American National Institute of Health proposed to use it instead of the word "impotence" as a more extended concept.
Erectile dysfunction is a real health barometer. According to experts, the male population of our country is diagnosed with a violation of potency several times more often than in other developed countries. Common causes of this pathology in Russia are: smoking, the use of alcohol in large quantities, a high degree of injury.
Like many diseases, erectile dysfunction is accompanied by a number of symptoms. However, unlike other ailments, this problem is indeed treatable. For many members of the stronger sex, a decrease in potency is proportional to the loss of male strength.
Prevalence
According to research, erectile dysfunction is a fairly common pathology. According to statistics, 30% of men between the ages of 18 and approximately 59 years old have difficulties of this nature.
The global situation is somewhat different. Currently, more than 150 million men over 40 suffer from erectile dysfunction to varying degrees. According to experts, by 2025 this figure may increase by more than 2 times. This negative trend is very easily explained by a sharp increase in risk factors for the formation of this pathology (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease).
The mechanism of erection
The male genital organ has the so-called cavernous bodies, the filling of the blood of which entails swelling and, accordingly, tension. You can draw an analogy with a vessel with two tubes. Blood arrives one at a time, and follows another. During a direct erection, a strong blood flow is observed, and its outflow is completely stopped. The central nervous system is responsible for regulating this “operation”. The nervous system is often compared to a host computer, which malfunctions provoke erectile dysfunction.
Of course, there is also an endocrine system, the hormones of which fully regulate sexual behavior. If their production is disturbed, men also note that there is no erection.
Classification
- Temporary decrease in potency. This pathology is characteristic for certain periods of a man's life. The reasons for its development, as a rule, lie in recent stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, and abuse of alcoholic beverages.
- Increasing impotence. Continuous onset of symptoms can be caused by a chronic illness (for example, heart failure, atherosclerosis, or hypertension). In this case, it is recommended to immediately seek help from a doctor. The thing is that quality therapy is required not only to restore sexual function, but also to get rid of the primary ailment.
- One-time violations. If there are isolated cases, that is, under other circumstances, such problems are absent, most likely, weak erectile dysfunction occurs for reasons of a psychogenic or emotional nature. In this case, it is recommended to exclude everything that has a direct effect on the psyche.
Depending on the primary factors that provoked the appearance of this kind of problem, erectile dysfunction may differ in functional or psychogenic nature. Each option has its own specific features:
- For example, erectile dysfunction due to various psychological factors most often appears suddenly. The cause of this problem, as a rule, lies in stresses, nervous overwork. It is important to note that in this case, the so-called morning erection and the ability of the penis to resize as a result of sexual stimulation are not lost.
- Erectile dysfunction in men associated with functional disorders manifests itself sequentially. With the next sexual intercourse, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a normal erection. All this indicates the presence of a background disease that should be cured. In addition, organic problems can be caused by taking certain groups of drugs that dramatically reduce potency. As a result, the libido and the ability of a man to ejaculate, while the nightly erections either completely disappear or are characterized by an unstable character.
The main causes of decreased potency
Until recently, many thought that erectile dysfunction is a problem that occurs in the stronger sex exclusively with age, and its development cannot be prevented. However, this assumption today has no scientific evidence. The relationship between age and the disease itself is determined only by the fact that over time, the risk of developing somatic ailments increases. Accordingly, the likelihood of problems with potency increases. It is quite normal if, subject to a healthy lifestyle and the absence of bad habits, sexual activity in a man persists at 50 and even at 70.
All the main factors provoking the development of this pathology can be divided into four groups.
- Endocrine (caused by impaired functioning of the endocrine glands, responsible for the production of testosterone). This can be a consequence of various kinds of genetic diseases, mechanical injuries, and tumors. According to experts, erectile dysfunction in this case is successfully treated.
- Neurological (associated with a number of pathologies of the peripheral nerves, spinal cord or brain).
- Medications (appear due to the use of certain drugs that block the production of sex hormones).
- Psychological. In this case, problems with potency arise due to frequent stressful situations, depression, neurosis, failure in bed.
Common causes of this pathology also include vascular problems. Due to the sequential violation of blood flow to the genital organ, there is either no erection at all, or it is very weak.
Symptoms
Taking into account the fact that erectile dysfunction is characterized by changes in the sexual life of a man, its traditional features are as follows:
- decreased libido (sexual desire);
- unstable ejaculation (premature / delayed ejaculation);
- direct violation of the erection itself;
- lack of orgasm.
The most common sign of this pathology is considered to be a decrease in sexual desire due to constant stress and fatigue. Unwillingness of physical intimacy can also be dictated by a breakdown in relationships, quarrels and conflicts on domestic grounds.
Diagnostics
As a rule, the doctor finds out that the patient lost an erection during the initial consultation. Like any other disease, impotence is much easier to treat at the initial stage of its appearance. It is important not only to confirm this diagnosis, but to identify the cause of its development in order to select the course of therapy as competently as possible.
At the first stages, diagnosis involves the collection of a somatic / psychological history. The doctor must determine which of the mechanisms responsible for a normal erection is broken. Before the immediate course of treatment, the patient, as a rule, is recommended to take a series of tests (for example, blood for hormones), as well as check the functioning of the cardiovascular system. In addition, the following diagnostic measures may be required:
- Keeping a diary of night / morning erections.
- Ultrasound of blood flow in the penis.
- Study of the central nervous system.
- Consultation with a psychotherapist.
- X-ray examination of the vessels of the penis.
Timely diagnosis is the key to successful treatment of such a pathology as erectile dysfunction.
Treatment method: pills, vacuum therapy, psychotherapist help
With this disease, the doctor must first determine the main causes that led to its development, and try to eliminate them. Exceptionally symptomatic therapy, as a rule, is ineffective. Below we list the most common methods of treatment:
- The use of type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors (Levitra, Cialis, Viagra preparations).
- Hormone replacement therapy. If the pathology is caused by impaired functioning of the endocrine glands, treatment should be aimed at its direct restoration. Modern medicine offers a great variety of drugs to adjust the level of testosterone (means "Androgel", "Nebido").
- Another quite effective treatment method is vacuum therapy using a special pump. It consists of a tube that is connected to the pump itself. The male genital organ is placed in the tube, and then all air is pumped out of it. As a result of such simple manipulations, a vacuum is created that enhances the flow of blood to the organ.
- If treatment with all of the above methods is ineffective, or the patient cannot take medication for any reason, a drug called “Alprostadil" comes to the rescue. It allows you to qualitatively improve blood flow directly to the genital organ. An injection with this medicine is done directly into the body.
- Psychotherapy. If the cause of erectile dysfunction lies in family conflicts or failures in bed, the help of a psychotherapist is indispensable. In consultation with a doctor, you can discuss absolutely any issues related mainly to sexual life, problems of an emotional nature.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. This is another subtype of psychological counseling. Experts are sure that what we feel directly depends on how we think about it. Thus, all negative thoughts and unrealistic ideas have a direct impact on relationships with loved ones, sexuality. The main task of the psychotherapist in this case is to permanently rid the man of such ideas, to develop the right attitude towards himself.
Are there other options for treating impotence? In some cases, doctors decide on surgery. As a rule, an operation is prescribed when there are clear signs that the blood supply to the penis is impaired. An alternative surgical method is implantation of a special prosthesis - falloprosthetics.
Help traditional medicine
With a diagnosis of mild erectile dysfunction, treatment often implies the use of traditional medicine recipes.
- Walnut. The walnut kernels must be crushed in a blender, pour flower honey in equal proportions. To use three teaspoons in 30-40 minutes after a meal, two teaspoons, washed down with milk. The course of treatment can be about one month.
- Raisins. Dried grape fruit is an excellent remedy if an erection is lost. Raisins must be washed in warm running water and boiled in milk. Then such a “dessert” should be eaten and be sure to drink the milk remaining after cooking. It is recommended to start with 30 g of raisins per 200 ml of milk, gradually increasing the portion to 50 g.
- Parsley, cilantro. You will need to take in equal proportions fresh and dried herbs, grind. Consume one tablespoon of the mixture with each meal.
- Celery juice. Freshly prepared juice is recommended to drink 2 teaspoons three times a day before meals.
All of the above recipes of traditional medicine allow you to overcome the problem as soon as possible. It is important to note that such therapy should be resorted to only after consulting a specialist. Moreover, folk prescriptions should not be taken as an alternative to medical or surgical treatment.
Preventative measures
Of course, it is better to prevent the development of erectile dysfunction than to subsequently wonder how to treat impotence. Below we list the most effective tips for the prevention of this pathology.
- First of all, it is recommended to completely reconsider your usual lifestyle. Doctors advise paying more attention to physical activity, eating right, giving up all bad habits.
- After receiving a mechanical injury to the organs of the pelvic area, it is necessary to consult a urologist.
- Regular exercise is crucial. The thing is that an erection occurs if the blood flow to the genitals increases. To achieve a positive result, it is enough to walk every day, for example, from work.
- Not always special drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are effective. During therapy, it is very important to follow the principles of a balanced diet. The diet is also recommended to be varied with fresh vegetables (including carrots, celery, tomatoes), dairy products, garlic and onions.
- Doctors advise having a regular sex life. The body, receiving a daily dose of hormones of pleasure, constantly develops a conditioned reflex to intimacy.
Conclusion
In this article, we have described in as much detail as possible what constitutes such a pathology as erectile dysfunction. The patients' reviews clearly demonstrate that this ailment is not a sentence, it is really possible to overcome it through drugs or surgical intervention. Be healthy!