Erectile dysfunction is a common problem and can effect men of any age. By definition it is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for satisfactory intercourse, and can present in different ways. Some men are completely unable to develop an erection whilst others may develop an erection that does not remain rigid enough to allow satisfactory intercourse. Understandably, the men experiencing the erection problems can experience low self-esteem, performance anxiety, depression, stress, embarrassment, guilt and relationship conflicts, and sometimes these can make the problem worse. Erectile dysfunction can also be harmful to a man's relationship with his partner because it may affect his self image, his partner's self-image and subsequently their relationship with each other. All of this can lead to a cycle of anxiety and emotional stress so the negative impact erectile dysfunction can have on a man is too great to ignore.
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a host of different factors including:
Because erectile dysfunction can be the symptom of an underlying physical problem, it is important to see your Holdsworth House doctor to rule out life threatening problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
Erectile dysfunction is a common problem and is thought to effect over 1 million Australians. In fact, almost all men will experience erection difficulties at some point in their lives. Whilst 50 percent of Australian men between the ages of 40 and 70 suffer from erectile dysfunction, only about 10 percent of men actually seek treatment. The symptoms of erectile dysfunction are specific and include:
If you experience any of these symptoms the doctors at Holdsworth House Medical Practice may be able to help you. There is nothing to be embarrassed about, so if you think you may have erectile dysfunction you should see your doctor so they can diagnose and treat it. Don't suffer in silence.
It's important to be open and honest. If your doctor has not brought up the subject before it could be out of respect for your privacy. They will provide understanding, support and, best of all, information.
Our doctors at Holdsworth House Medical Practice will ask a few specific questions and conduct a routine physical examination. This should help them find the right treatment for you.
Before treatment can begin your Holdsworth House doctor needs first to exclude underlying conditions such as cardiovascular or neurological diseases. After that, the chosen treatment depends on the cause of you erectile dysfunction and can include the following:
If anxiety, stress or depression is the cause of your erectile dysfunction, then counseling alone or in conjunction with antidepressant medication may be an effective treatment. Alternately, if appropriate, medications called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5) may be prescribed and indeed the drug Viagra™ belongs to this class. This group of medications work for most men and are usually taken an hour or so before sexual intercourse. These medications work in conjunction with sexual stimulation by causing dilation of the blood vessels in the penis permitting blood flow, and help in maintaining rigidity. This group of medications is not suitable for all men and your Holdsworth House doctor will be able to explain if they are right for you.
If PDE-5 medications are not suitable or do not work then alternatives include injections into the base of the penis which usually give immediate results, or mechanical devices that create a vacuum around the penis causing an influx of blood followed by application of a band around the base of the penis to maintain the erection. Less common, and only if all other avenues have been exhausted, is the option of surgery to have a prosthetic device inserted.
If obesity is a factor contributing to your erectile dysfunction, your doctor may suggest a weight loss and exercise program. This may be coupled with suggestions to improve you lifestyle such as to stop smoking and to reduce alcohol and recreational drug intake if applicable.
A combination of the described treatments may be used and in most cases treatment is successful in allowing you to resume your normal sexual relationship.
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