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Erectile dysfunction, also popularly known as male impotence, is the difficulty to have or maintain an erection that allows for satisfactory sexual intercourse in at least 50% of attempts.
This problem can happen in men of any age and is often related to habits such as drug use, smoking and excessive stress. Although the dysfunction is often related to aging, many of the older men have never had erectile problems, so age is only considered a risk factor and is not necessarily a cause.
To make the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction it is very important to consult a urologist, who will assess the man's health history and order some tests.After the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment is started, which may vary from one man to the next, but which generally includes the use of some medications, such as Sildenafil or Alprostadil, in addition to psychological monitoring, for example.
Main symptoms
The main symptom indicative of erectile dysfunction is the difficulty to have or maintain an erection. However, other symptoms may also appear, such as:
- Less rigid and more flabby erection;
- Greater need for concentration and time to achieve erection;
- Reduction of sexual interest;
- Rapid or premature ejaculation.
In addition, there are cases in which the man is able to have an erection, but not during sexual intercourse and, therefore, although he is able to have an erection it can mean that he suffers from erectile dysfunction.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis must be made by the urologist based on the signs and symptoms presented by the person. In addition, at the time of the evaluation, the doctor must take into account clinical, sexual and psychological history in order to reach the diagnostic conclusion. In addition, laboratory tests may be requested in order to verify whether erectile dysfunction may be related to hormonal changes.
Main causes of erectile dysfunction
Some of the most common causes that lead to erectile dysfunction problems include:
- Use of drugs;
- Alcoholism;
- Obesity;
- Excessive use of certain medications such as antihypertensives, antidepressants and antipsychotics for example;
- Psychological problems such as depression, trauma, fear, dissatisfaction or decreased libido;
In addition, some chronic diseases, such as kidney failure or diabetes, can also affect blood circulation and facilitate the onset of erectile dysfunction. Check out a list of the main causes and why they cause erectile dysfunction.
How the treatment is done
Erectile dysfunction can be treated in different ways, as treatment depends on the cause, however, some of the most used treatment options include:
- Remedies like sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil;
- Hormone replacement therapy in capsules, patches or injections that increase testosterone levels and facilitate testosterone;
- Use of vacuum devices that favor erection and are especially recommended for men who cannot undergo treatment with medication;
- Surgery for implantation of penile prostheses that are used only as a last resort only when all other treatments have not been successful.
In addition to the treatments mentioned, counseling with a psychologist or psychiatrist and couple therapy are also very important, as they help to treat other problems, fears and insecurities that may exist and that are also contributing to the problem. Psychotherapy is also indicated in these cases to help treat stress, anxiety and depression. Learn more about the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
See also the exercises that can be done to help treat erectile dysfunction: