Other things that increase your risk include:. Activities that constrict blood flow to the penis may increase the risk for erection problems. For example, frequent long-distance bicycle riding on a hard, narrow saddle may increase risk. But the possible link between bike riding and erection problems has not been proved. Experts continue to debate this issue. A vasectomy usually doesn't cause erection problems. But pain after the operation may affect sexual performance for a time.
And if a man wasn't comfortable with his decision to have a vasectomy, or if he's having second thoughts, it could affect him psychologically.
If your erection problem happens just now and then, there is no reason to call your doctor. If it happens often and upsets you or your partner, it is okay to call your doctor. If an erection problem doesn't bother you or your partner, you may choose not to call your doctor.
Watchful waiting means a "wait-and-see" approach. A single episode of an erection problem is often a temporary problem that is easy to reverse. Don't assume it will happen again. Try to forget about it, and expect a more successful experience the next time. If you or your partner is concerned about it, talk about the problem. Openly discuss your fears and anxieties. If self-care has not helped after 2 weeks and you are concerned about your erection problem, see a doctor who has experience in dealing with these problems.
If it is possible that a psychological problem is contributing to your erection problem, your doctor may refer you to a health professional such as a:.
Because both physical and mental factors are often involved, it may be difficult to diagnose the exact cause of your erection problem. At this point, pills such as sildenafil for example, Viagra , tadalafil for example, Cialis , and vardenafil for example, Levitra are often recommended unless an easily treated cause such as a medicine side effect or testosterone deficiency has been identified.
An ultrasound may be done if your doctor thinks you may have a circulation problem peripheral arterial disease. Treatment for an erection problem depends on the cause of the problem. The cause may be mental, physical, or a combination of both.
Many doctors take a step-by-step approach to treating erection problems. They use the least invasive treatments first. The treatment steps are:. PDE-5 inhibitors have relatively few side effects. But they can be dangerous in certain men. If you are taking nitrate-containing medicines, such as nitroglycerin, you cannot use sildenafil for example, Viagra , tadalafil for example, Cialis , or vardenafil for example, Levitra.
You also should not take certain alpha-blockers—used to lower blood pressure and to treat an enlarged prostate gland —with these medicines. There is a risk of a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Check with your doctor to see whether you can take PDE-5 inhibitors with your alpha-blocker. It is important to involve your partner in your decision, regardless of the treatment you choose. Many men overestimate how important being able to have erections is to their relationships. Some men find that when they are able to have erections again, the hassle of using the treatment isn't worth the effort.
Other men may find that being able to have erections doesn't change their relationship as much as they or their partners had expected.
You may be able to avoid erection problems related to anxiety and stress by taking a more relaxed approach to sex. Talk to your partner about your problems and concerns.
Sexual intimacy is a form of communication. If you and your partner talk about sex, it will help reduce your stress and anxiety. And you may become more relaxed. Erections may gradually become more difficult to get and keep as you get older. But foreplay—erotic stimulation before intercourse—and the right environment can help increase your ability to have an erection, regardless of your age. In some cases, occasional episodes of erection problems can be treated at home, without a doctor's help.
But do involve your partner in the process. And don't be embarrassed about seeking professional help if erection problems are consistent and troublesome.
You may be able to help yourself by:. Some men may try methods available in health food stores or through magazine ads. Most of these methods have never been medically proved to work. They may be unsafe, and they are often expensive. They are not recommended. Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol can also help make erection problems less likely.
To learn more, see Prevention. Medicines that can help produce an erection may be used to treat erection problems that are caused by blood vessel vascular , hormonal, nervous system, or psychological problems. They also may be used along with counseling to treat erection problems that have psychological causes. Hormones and other medicines may be prescribed for men who have low testosterone or high prolactin levels.
Although oral medicines for erection problems can be purchased over the Internet, you need to talk with your doctor before using this medicine. This is especially important if you have a heart problem. PDE-5 inhibitors should never be used if you may need to take a nitrate-containing medicine, such as nitroglycerin. Taking nitroglycerin and a PDE-5 inhibitor within 24 hours of each other may greatly lower your blood pressure.
This could lead to a heart attack, stroke , or death. If you are taking a PDE-5 inhibitor and are going to have a test for heart disease, make sure that your doctor knows you are taking it. You should not take sildenafil for example, Viagra or vardenafil for example, Levitra for 24 hours before the test.
Do not take tadalafil for example, Cialis for at least 48 hours before the test. Then if you have a problem during the test, it will be safe to use nitrate-containing medicines such as nitroglycerin. If you are using a combination of drugs for high blood pressure, PDE-5 inhibitors could cause low blood pressure hypotension. Also for this reason, you should not take alpha blockers—used to lower blood pressure and to treat an enlarged prostate—with these medicines without talking to your doctor. The combination could cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Sexual activity is exercise. If you have a heart condition and have not been sexually active for a while, talk with your doctor to make sure you can engage in sexual activity safely. In a few cases, surgery may be an option to treat erection problems. Surgery will rarely be recommended before nonsurgical treatment and counseling have been tried.
Think carefully about nonsurgical options and about the possible risks of surgery. Include your partner in your decision. Doctors who specialize in conditions of the urinary tract urologists do most penile implants.
Specially trained urologic surgeons usually do blood vessel repair surgery. Counseling also may be used with medicine treatment or vacuum devices for erection problems that have psychological and physical causes. Medicines are usually the main treatment for erection problems.
But some men try complementary therapies. If you don't want to use medicine, or if medicine doesn't work for you, you may want to talk with your doctor about some of the following options.
Most of these treatments need more research before doctors can know if they work for sure. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Erection Problems Erectile Dysfunction. Topic Overview What are erection problems? What causes erection problems? Erection problems can have many causes. These include: Physical problems, such as injury to nerves or loss of blood supply to the penis.
Other health problems, such as diabetes , high blood pressure , anxiety , and depression. Side effects of certain medicines.
A study reports that by , the number of ED cases around the world will reach million. Some of them could be triggered by psychological issues while other reasons have more to do with your overall physical well-being. A study showed that out of 2,, men aged 18 years old and higher who were diagnosed with ED at least once, There are also treatments for prostate disease that can prevent your penis from getting hard.
The same can be said about radiation therapy. This is because some body functions begin to deteriorate as we go up in years and we begin to experience things like nerve damage. There are several psychological issues that can impact your ability to get an erection.
One of the main reasons why someone could suffer from ED is performance anxiety. But sometimes, the problem goes deeper than performance anxiety. Related issues include depression, fear of intimacy, or suffering from a traumatic event. All you need to do is to consult a doctor to find out what your options are.
The first thing you should try—and what your doctor would likely recommend first—is to make lifestyle changes. Same for alcohol. Stop taking illegal drugs. If the issue is psychological, then you should talk with a therapist to get to the root cause. Sometimes bringing your partner along can help resolve issues that cause your impotence. Popular treatments for impotence are drugs called PDE-5 inhibitors. The most popular in the bunch is Viagra sildenafil , but there are other options available.
These include Levitra vardenafil , Cialis tadalafil , and Stendra avanafil. One of the main issues is the risk of heart failure. Other possible side effects include hearing loss, indigestion, flushing, visual abnormalities, and headache. Some men find it uncomfortable going to a pharmacy and buying ED medications. Another popular option is vacuum devices. These are mechanical instruments used to make the penis firm using a pump that forces blood to fill in the blood vessel. This time, the downside includes the lack of spontaneity and long-term benefits.
If your partner is unfamiliar with the device, it can potentially ruin the mood. Vacuum devices come in manual and automatic varieties. The automatic versions work faster but they also tend to be more expensive. There are surgical treatments available. These include penile implants, devices that are inserted into the penis that makes it malleable or inflatable. There are also more advanced erectile dysfunction treatments like low-testosterone therapy.
The body loses testosterone as we get older. The idea behind the therapy is to replace those lost testosterones to not only increase your sexual desire but to also reduce the symptoms of sexual health issues like impotence. PRP therapy uses platelet-rich plasma PRP from your own body to repair the damaged tissue in your penis. This will result in a stronger erection with greater sensitivity while having sex.
Your doctor will conduct an interview to develop an initial diagnosis, and order tests as necessary. Just remember to answer honestly since your response will dictate how the doctor will move forward. Common tests include CBC complete blood count , lipid profile, liver and kidney function tests, urinalysis, NPT nocturnal penile tumescence , and penile biothesiometry. Broadening your definition of sex will help increase your ability to experience pleasure without an erection.
Dr Fox says challenging the social myths around what enjoyable sex looks like forces us to try new things. With the exception of penile penetration, everything we do with an erect penis we can do with a flaccid penis. Mr Tilley says kissing, caressing, genital play and oral stimulation can all be experienced as pleasurable whether there is an erection or not.
In relation to partnered sex, Dr Fox stresses it is something for both parties to work on together. Communication , exploration and a light-hearted approach can all help you experience pleasure together. The skin is the largest organ and the mind the most powerful organ," Dr Fox says. This article contains general information only. You should consider obtaining independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.
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