You all must have come across at least one incident where you have heard someone complaining about Erectile Dysfunctionality (ED). The symptoms of ED are quite obvious, as they are really easy to observe and not too difficult to identify, to say the least. The reasons for the causing of ED may vary from both physiological reasons like any serious injury, some recent medical operations or diseases like diabetes to psychological problems like anxiety, depression, trauma etc. The reasons for ED are vast. But no one says ED cannot be treated. There are numerous ways to treat ED, and one of them is consuming specific medications for ED.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction refers to having difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection firm/hard enough for sexual intercourse all or most of the time.
The symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) can include:
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Difficulty maintaining an erection
- Reduced sexual desire
- Troubles with sexual performance
- Anxiety or depression related to ED
Potential Causes Of Erectile Dysfunction
There are many possible causes for erectile dysfunction (ED), which can be physical, psychological, or a combination of both. Some common causes include:
Cardiovascular diseases: Atherosclerosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other conditions that restrict blood flow to the penis can make it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.
Neurological conditions: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injuries can affect the nerves that control erections.
Hormonal imbalances: Low testosterone levels, the primary male sex hormone, can contribute to ED.
Medications: Effects of medication, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, and blood pressure medications, can cause ED as a side effect.
Psychological factors: Anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and relationship concerns can all contribute to ED.
Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol intake, lack of sleep. obesity or excess weight, and lack of physical activity can all contribute to ED.
Another potential cause of ED is trauma to the pelvic area or penile area – such as with conditions like Peyronie’s disease, prostate surgery, untreated priapism, untreated paraphimosis etc.
Treatment For Erectile Dysfunction
Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for ED. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the underlying cause of the ED.
Medications To Increase Blood Flow: For physical causes, medication such as phosphodiesterase PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5i) like Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil may be prescribed, these drugs help to increase blood flow to the penis and improve erectile function. Furthermore, supplements such as L-Arginine can also help in NO breakdown or release which results in vasodilatation and can help facilitate healthier erections.
Erection Devices And Penile Implants: In some cases, vacuum erection devices or penile implants may be recommended. These are mechanical devices that can help achieve an erection.
Therapy And Psychological Counselling: For psychological causes, therapy and counselling may be recommended to help with underlying concerns such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
Lifestyle Changes: Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, and managing stress can also help improve ED.
It is important to consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment option for you. With the right treatment, many men are able to improve their sexual function and regain their quality of life.
Erectile Dysfunction Medications
Medications which are consumed orally often come first in the line of treatment for ED. These medicines are often meant for men who cannot maintain an erection for too long. They might seem to work just fine in the beginning, but not to mention medicines have very high risks of side effects. If consumed more than prescribed or instructed, they might alter the hormonal balance in the body which might even lead to permanent sexual dysfunctionality.
Some well-known medicines which are consumed by men in case of ED are Sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), tadalafil (Cialis) and avanafil (Stendra). These are some of the known oral medications that help in curing ED by stimulating and increasing the efficiency of the act of Nitric Oxide, a chemical secreted by the body which relaxes the muscles of the penis. This in fact helps in getting an erection when stimulated sexually and helps in maintaining an erection for a long time.
Now that we have seen what all medicines exist to cure ED, let’s see them individually to have a brief about them.
Oral Tablets For ED
Sildenafil (Viagra) Is best for mild to moderate levels of ED. Must be consumed one hour before sex on empty stomach, the effects last for 4-5 hours or more depending on the level of severity of ED.
Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) Again, same as before, must be taken one hour before sex, on both empty or full stomachs. The speciality is a high-fat meal that prevents this medicine from being absorbed too quickly, thus making its effects last much longer as compared to the previous medicine. Nowadays a newer form is available that’s soluble and dissolves on the tongue and can show better results than the pill consumed.
Tadalafil (Cialis) Must be taken 2 hours before sex, the effects last much longer than the drugs aforementioned, which is 24-36 hours. It can be taken with or without food and can be consumed in small or large doses as per the severity of the condition.
Avanafil (Stendra) Can be consumed 30-45 minutes before sex. The effects last for 6 hours.
In What Instances Should You Avoid These Drugs?
Always make sure these are prescription drugs (you have your doctor’s prescription) before consuming any of the drugs which are related to ED, otherwise, there will be severe side effects. However, if you display any of the symptoms mentioned below, then you might even wanna consider getting close to these drugs!
- If you take nitrate drugs to get rid of chest pain or any other pain, you might want to consider taking these drugs.
- If you have Hypotension (very low blood pressure) or Hypertension (very high blood pressure) then these drugs might not be made for you, as the repercussions can be more severe than the effects.
- Have severe liver disease
- Have kidney disease that requires dialysis
Common Side-Effects Of ED Medication
The drugs are made in such a way that the possibilities of side effects are kept to a bare minimum. Also, men who consume oral pills are not observed to have displayed any side effects. But when consumed more than the prescribed amount, it might lead to severe side effects. Some of these notable side effects are:
- Flushing
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Blurred vision or loss of vision
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Back pain.
- Effect on hearing or sudden hearing loss.
- Erection not going away on its own.
Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Treated?
ED can be treated really well and the cure does exist in the market. Medicines as well as medical help are out there. So if you face any symptoms of ED, reach out to your doctor and get it treated as soon as possible before it’s too late. Better hurry than never!
