What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual disorder experienced by a man in which the man is not able to obtain or maintain firm penile erection for extended duration of time, which leads to dissatisfaction among partners.
Erectile dysfunction is also known by the name of impotence. Ocassionally man can suffer from ED but if he suffers from ED on frequent basis that can be an indicator of underlying disease or disorder. With so many remedies in market today, erectile dysfunction is highly treatable problem. The cause of ED can be medical or psychological.
Signs and Symptoms of ED
- Persistent inability to obtain or maintain an erection.
- Lack of interest in sexual activity.
Causes
Erectile dysfunction occurs as a result of inadequate blood supply to the penile region, damage to the nerves supplying blood to the penile organ, hormonal imbalance, certain diseases and conditions like diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels supplying blood to the heart), parkinson’s disease, obesity, surgery, penile injury, medicines used in treatment of heart disease like digoxin, drugs acting on central nervous system, drugs used in treatment of enlarged prostate, antidepressants, psychological causes include fear of performance, sense of guilt, anxiety, depression.
ED is more common in older men of 60 years or above.
The spinal cord injury has a major impact on erectile function. Treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury is similar to the treatment of erectile dysfunction without spinal cord injury. The most common methods of treatment include penile implants, oral phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, vacuum devices, intraurethral prostaglandins, and intracavernous injections.
1.Intracavernous injections
Intracavernous injections are the most effective for men with spinal cord injuries but they require much lower doses than healthy men.
2.Use of Vacuum Devices
Vacuum devices can be used by men who are not able to take or do not wish to consume medicines. A vacuum pump draws blood to the penile organ and makes it firm and strong.
A band accompanying the vacuum pump prevents the drawn blood from leaving the penile organ, thus maintaining an erection. Men do not like to use vacuum pumps as they do not produce spontaneous action.
3.Use of penile implants
Penile implants can help to retain an external condom catheter in place and offer more penile stability for intermittent catheterization. But it carries an increased risk of infection.
4.Intraurethral prostaglandins
The hypotensive effects of Intraurethral prostaglandins need to be taken into consideration in men with spinal cord injuries at or above thoracic spine -T6.
5.Treatment with oral medicines
Erectile dysfunction is often treated with phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. These are the most commonly prescribed medicines for treatment of ED. These include Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), Vardenafil (Levitra) and Avanafil (Stendra).
Various generic medicines, which are available at a low cost than the branded medicines are also useful. These include Suhagra, Tadaga, and Kamagra oral jelly etc. Kamagra oral jelly is a formulation especially useful for treating erectile dysfunction in older men. It is easy to consume as it comes in a jelly form. Buy Kamagra oral jelly online at reasonable rates.
Medicines are most convenient to administer. But they are not useful in patients with lower motor injuries. The blood pressure of the patients taking these medicines should be monitored regularly as they can produce drop in blood pressure.