Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Erectile dysfunction is the most common form of sexual dysfunction reported by men, and it is estimated to affect up to 30 million people.
It is normal to have trouble with erections from time to time, but when it happens frequently, it causes stress in the patient or affects the relationship with his partner. Therefore, it is a problem that should be addressed, and a consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended.
Erectile dysfunction can have multifactorial causes. It can be due to emotional distress, hormonal instability, or an underlying pathology like hypertension, diabetes, or peripheral artery disease that can affect the blood flow to the penis or its nerves. Smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and lack of physical activity can also affect the quality of your erections. Treating the underlying condition and improving modifiable risk factors are key steps in treating ED.
The management of erectile dysfunction can be divided into pharmacological and non-pharmacological:
Pharmacological:
-Oral treatment with drugs like Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, or Helleva. These medications should be prescribed by a physician, individualizing the patient taking into consideration risk factors, and explaining the possible side effects (headaches, flushing, stomach pain, visual disturbances, nausea).
-Intracavernous injections are usually indicated in cases where the oral treatment was unsuccessful. The main component of this treatment is prostaglandins, which improve blood flow to the penis.
Non-pharmacological:
-Vacuum erection devices are plastic tubes that generate a negative pressure to promote transient penile blood flow.
-Penile implants (semi-rigid or inflatables) are devices placed inside the penis that maintains an erection.
References:
https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/erectile-dysfunction-(ed)
https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/causes-treatments#mental-factors
