Erectile Dysfunction: Learn About Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, And Treatments

Erectile dysfunction is the man's inability to obtain and maintain a sufficient penis erection to enable satisfactory sexual activity. It may be a symptom of chronic disease in operation, or even psychological issues, affecting patients and their partners' quality of life and review here.

The fact of not being able to have an adequate erection does not always translate into erectile dysfunction, however, if this occurs frequently, the ideal is to consult a urologist for an adequate evaluation.

It is estimated that 100 million men worldwide have erectile dysfunction, which is the most common sexual dysfunction found in this population after 40 years of age. In Brazil, the prevalence approaches 50% after the age of 40, around 16 million men.

The causes are complex and may be linked to:

• Circulatory problems: the erection depends directly on the blood flow to the penis, so the changes that hinder proper circulation to that region can cause erectile dysfunction. We have as an example cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, coronary artery disease), diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, previous surgeries in the pelvis, and people submitted to the previous radiotherapy.

• Neurological: up to 20% of cases of erectile dysfunction are associated with neurological problems. Some examples are degenerative diseases (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), stroke, tumors of the central nervous system, and trauma.

• Anatomical or structural: people who, since birth or even due to acquired diseases, have changes in the penile anatomy may have problems with erection and sexual relations.

• Hormonal disorders: hormonal imbalances can cause changes in libido (desire to have sex), especially the lack of testosterone, which directly influences the erection. Other disorders may also be associated, such as thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism), pituitary gland dysfunction (hyperprolactinemia), and other adjustments.

• Drug-induced: numerous medications can cause erection problems, such as antihypertensive drugs, drugs for depression, antipsychotics, and use of drugs such as alcohol, heroin, cocaine, methadone, among others.

• Psychological: conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress have a greater impact on the young adult population, increasing erection disorders by directly reducing libido.

Symptoms

Sexual impotence can be manifested in many ways, not only because you are unable to keep your penis erect, but because of problems with ejaculation or orgasm.

In some patients there is a delay in maintaining a long-lasting erection or even an erection is obtained, however, it is not sufficiently rigid. Other times, even with an adequate erection, premature ejaculation occurs (ejaculation that occurs before, during, or shortly after penetration with minimal sexual stimulation).

It is possible to prevent

We must keep in mind that maintaining healthy lifestyle habits is the best way to go. Much of the time, erectile dysfunction related disorders are subject to monitoring and treatment. Having regular physical activity, avoiding consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, eating in a healthy and regulated manner are the keys to prevention.

Treatments

They depend on the underlying causes. Changes in lifestyle (not smoking, avoiding alcohol, doing physical exercise, eating healthy) are important for all men. The treatment can be divided into non-pharmacological (psychological or psychiatric counseling), pharmacological (drugs that induce erection), and surgical.

For people with psychological problems, psychotherapy associated or not with medications for depression is recommended and must be accompanied by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

There are several medications available that induce an erection by facilitating blood flow into the penis, which can be administered daily, on-demand before sexual intercourse, or even be administered by the patient by direct injection into the penis. Always remembering that they must be used only under medical supervision and need sexual stimulation to obtain results.

In specific cases or even refractory to drug therapy, surgical options for penile prostheses can be an option, with satisfactory results, greatly improving the quality of life for men. It is possible to choose between malleable (semi-rigid), articulating, or inflatable prostheses.