Erectile Dysfunction and Impotence Are Common
Impotent? You’re No Different
You are not alone. All over the world, millions of men are going through the same thing you are: erectile dysfunction (ED). Research has shown that ED occurs more frequently as men age. Other studies have pinpointed the causes of ED, such as diet, medications, occupation, lifestyle, and health conditions. At present, there are hundreds of treatments for ED. Plus, tissue engineering is moving closer to finding a real cure for ED.
The United States is one of those nations leading ED research and treatments. Since impotence is a global condition, other countries have joined the bandwagon. So what is the state of impotence in other countries? What has research in other regions contributed to the pool of knowledge about battling ED? Here we discuss a few scientific publications and their progress on ED research.
In 2002, the Sao Paulo Medical Journal published a study on the prevalence of ED in southeastern Brazil. Their methodology involved distributing questionnaires to willing respondents by mail, at the same time being discreet about the identities of the men. From their results, the prevalence of ED in the region is 45.9%. They further detailed the prevalence by categorizing them by degree of ED. There were 33.9% of the respondents who had minimal ED, 8.5% with moderate, and 3.5% with complete ED. Read more
Impotence and Erectile Dysfunction are Worldwide
Impotence is a Global Concern
Erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, happens to men all over the world. Research has been ongoing for decades, and breakthroughs have been introduced to battle this condition. The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) is one of many organizations that perform research and provide further information on ED.
Before Pfizer brought Viagra into the market, they funded a study in 1998 to test the ED awareness of men in 10 countries: Argentina, China, France, Germany, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, and Turkey. So what did the men think? Summarized below are information gathered from some of the observed countries. See if you share the same opinions.
Germany – Majority of the men here believe that impotence is psychological, caused by relationship problems and drinking too much alcohol. Nearly half of German men believe that as one gets older, impotence will naturally occur. Also, 68% of German men, more than any other country, believe that ED is common among men aged 40 and above. Surprisingly, 66% of them would most likely not seek help if they experience ED. Read more
Male Impotence Symptoms
Diagnosing And Coping With The Symptoms Of Male Impotence
Unfortunately, men who suffer from impotence often find it difficult to seek medical advice. This is despite the fact that erectile dysfunction disorder is actually quite a common problem, faced by many men as they grow older. It’s also quite simple to diagnose. Usually the doctor will perform a physical examination, some laboratory tests, and sometimes, if the case is more complex, some monitoring may be required.
A physical examination is performed in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by some type of systemic problem. It’s necessary for the doctor to examine the penis closely, checking to see if it reacts the correct way when touched. Irregularities or problems with the nervous system can sometimes cause impotence, and a physical examination is often the quickest way to determine if that’s the likely cause of the current problem.
The doctor will also check for what are known as abnormal or irregular secondary sex characteristics. Strange hair patterns, or abnormal growth patterns may be an indicator that the impotence problem is hormonal in nature. The circulatory system can also be responsible for impotence, and the physical examination will also encompass checks for this type of problem. For example, an aneurysm may exist in part of the body, causing an interruption to the normal flow of blood. There are also other, generally uncommon, conditions such as Peyronie’s disease, which can be recognized by a distinctive bend in the penis. Read more
ED Therapy Without Drugs
Beyond the Drugs: Is there Therapy for ED?
In the United States, over 30 million men experience erectile dysfunction (ED). Medical experts say that ED is a combination of many physical as well as psychological factors. Most of the drugs available commercially, like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, are made to target the physical hurdle of ED. But for some men, the drugs just don’t seem to work for them. So the question is: Is there therapy for ED?
The answer is yes. If physical elements of ED can’t be solved, then the mental causes can. A survey done in 2001 by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization which provides reviews and information on healthcare interventions, found out that about 43% of the studied men had ED because of physical factors, 43% had ED due to psychological factors, and the rest attribute their ED to both.
In some cases, doctors recommend a patient to undergo psychotherapy, when a patient experiences ED because of anxiety or low self-esteem towards sex. This is done to relieve the stress associated with ED or when undergoing other treatments for ED. Other times, the man’s partner undergoes psychotherapy as well, so both can benefit from techniques to improve their lovemaking and overcome ED. Read more
Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
Erectile Dysfunction Drugs May Not Be For You
More and more people are becoming aware and afflicted with erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s a condition that affects millions of males not only in the United States, but worldwide. With the help of medical technology, there is a spark of hope in overcoming impotence.
But keep in mind that proper knowledge of any treatment is needed before administration. We live in a world where medical myths affect our outlook on treatments. Because of that, many myths on ED drugs are believed by the general public. If you are one of those believers, then ED drugs may not be right for you.
Commercial ED drugs such as sildenafil citrate (Viagra), vardenafil hydrocholride (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis) have been approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are widely available today. Other oral drugs like testosterone pills, yohimbine hydrochloride, trazodone, and dopamine and serotonin agonists have also been proven to be effective against ED. Read more