WHAT IS ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION?

Erectile dysfunction, also called impotence, or simply "ED", means that a man cannot achieve an erection adequate for sexual intercourse.

A man can suffer from erectile dysfunction for a short time when he is upset, worried, or when he has had too much alcohol. In fact, that kind of temporary erectile dysfunction is common. But about 1 out of every 10 men suffers from a continuing or chronic erectile dysfunction.

If you are one of these men, you should be aware that you are not alone, and that recent advances in the treatment of erectile dysfunction may solve your problem.

How does an erection occur?

A man cannot have an erection simply because he wants one. Brain messages, nerve impulses, muscle reactions, hormone levels, and blood flow all play a part.

The penis becomes firm when messages from the brain open valves and allow blood to fill the two spongy-tissue chambers in the shaft of the penis. As these chambers swell, they become rigid as the outer casing is stretched and drawn tight.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

There are two types of erectile dysfunction, physical and psychological (or emotional).

Physical erectile dysfunction occurs when disease, surgery or an accident damages blood vessels or nerves going to the penis, or upsets the body's balance of hormones.

Psychological erectile dysfunction can be caused by fear, stress, worry, anger or frustration. Often, this develops from "performance anxiety", a man's fear that he will not perform well during sexual intercourse.

As recently as the late 1970s, it was believed that psychological problems were the cause of nearly 90% of chronic erectile dysfunction. With improvements made in diagnostic techniques, we now know that as many as half of all cases of chronic erectile dysfunction are caused by physical problems. Often there is a mixture of both factors.

How is erectile dysfunction diagnosed?

Your doctor first needs to know if the main cause of your erectile dysfunction is physical or psychological in order to recommend the best treatment. Usually, after asking questions about how erectile dysfunction developed, your doctor will examine you.

A number of tests now are available to help the doctor find the cause of the problem. Tests can determine if blood flow to the penis is impaired or if hormonal problems are causing erectile dysfunction.

Sometimes an injection of medication into the side of the penis is used to help the doctor make the diagnosis.

How is erectile dysfunction treated?

As our understanding of erectile dysfunction has increased, better treatment methods have been developed. Ask your doctor for further information.

For psychological erectile dysfunction, your doctor may recommend a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counsellor who could be of help. Counselling can be particularly successful when both partners participate.

If erectile dysfunction is a side effect of a medication you have been taking, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative drug. It is important not to reduce or change any medication without first talking to your doctor.

Erectile dysfunction caused by other problems can sometimes be treated with the appropriate medication.

Sometimes it may then be possible to determine whether there is a blocked artery feeding the penis, or a leaky vein which may be corrected by surgery.

If surgery is not feasible, or is ineffective, a penile implant may be inserted. These are very effective but costly, and it is not possible to insert implants without destroying the spongy tissue.

Another option is a vacuum constriction device. This is an acrylic cylinder which is fitted over the penis. A vacuum is created within the cylinder by a hand pump, causing blood to be drawn into the penis. Once the penis is engorged with blood, an elastic band is fitted to its base to lock the blood in the shaft. Some men say this works well.

Conclusion

Recent advances in treating erectile dysfunction have provided men with realistic options to overcome a very common problem. Treatment of erectile dysfunction is a hopeful first step in restoring your role in your most important human relationship.