Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Heart Disease & High Cholesterol
Heart disease is the most common condition linked to ED. One of the early signs of heart disease and other diseases that affect blood vessels, can sometimes be penile dysfunction. That’s why your doctor may ask if you have erection problems. Heart disease keeps the blood from reaching the organs as easily as it should. An erection happens when more blood enters the penis so it makes sense that men with heart disease oftentimes have ED. It’s believed that having high cholesterol also increases your risk of getting erectile disfunction by 80% because it causes plaque buildup in the arteries. Sidenafil Citrate,Viagra®, is an effective treatment for ED because it increases blood flow to the penis.

High Blood Pressure
Statistically speaking, of the more than 10 million men who have taken Viagra® in the US, more than 1 million have also taken medicines for high blood pressure. Two out of three men with high blood pressure have some level of this penile dysfunction.

High blood pressure forces the heart to pump harder and puts strain on the blood vessels by making them hard and narrow. The arteries are less able to get blood to all the organs including the penis.The majority of men with high blood pressure have been helped with a Viagra® purchase. It works for men with ED and high blood pressure and those taking medicine for high blood pressure.

Two common classes of blood pressure medications that can cause penis erection problems include diuretics (water pills) and beta-blockers.

Depression
The cause of depression can be psychological, physical or both. For many men, erection problems lead to feelings of inadequacy and only worsen their depression. Some anti-depression medications can also cause or contribute to male sexual dysfunction through their side effects. Regardless of depression or anti-depressants being the culprit,Viagara® has helped many men with depression improve their sexual performance.

Diabetes
About 30% of known male impotence cases are diabetics. Half or more of all men with diabetes have impotency to some degree by about 60 years of age and it increases to about 95% of diabetics by age 70. Viagra® has a good success rate as an erectile dysfunction treatment on diabetic men with mild to moderate impotence.

Stress
Stress and Anxiety can affect the body’s ability to get and/or sustain an erection. Stress reducing activities are a great way to improve sexual performance. Take a relaxing daily walk, do yoga, workout, dance – find something that suites your interests and lifestyle, then adjust these activities to fit into your everyday routine.

Prostate Surgery
The two most common surgeries done regarding prostate conditions can result in male erection problems. If you notice a change in your ability to keep or sustain an erection since surgery, a Viagra® prescription is a possibility for you.

Some Medicines
Many medicines can cause or contribute to male impotence. If your using any of these categories of medications, Sildenafil Citrate,Viagra®, may assist.

• High blood pressure medications
• Diuretics (often times used in conjunction with high blood pressure medications)
• Heart condition drugs
• Cancer drugs
• Anti-depressants

Certain, not all, medications associated with this list apply. For proper professional, impotence advice, discuss with your regular healthcare provider.

Smoking
We all know smoking causes cancer, emphysema, and aggravates other lung related illnesses. The habit also affects male sexual health in different ways.
It can inhibit a man’s chances of producing children by affecting the health of his sperm. Long-term damage is caused by a buildup of fatty deposits that block arteries and restrict blood flow. Every time a cigarette is inhaled, nicotine circulates in the blood. Once there, it constricts blood vessels and restricts the amount of blood rushing in, essential to creating an erection. Nicotine also interferes with a valve mechanism that stops blood flow going out of the penis. Without the blood flowing out, a penis erection cannot be maintained.
Over all, quitting smoking is considered a health enhancing choice, and those that remain smoke free have taken a major step to improving their health.

Excessive Drinking
Alcohol slows down the central nervous system and leads to erection difficulty. Male sexual problems associated with alcohol consumption can be alleviated by drinking in moderation.

Spinal Injury
Sexual dysfunction in males with spinal injury is common. Since an injury to the spine can affect most organs and systems of the body, the penis is no exception. Erectile disfunction is often times associated with surgery or trauma that affects the nervous system or interferes with penile blood supply. Intact nerves and blood vessels are needed for a penis erection. The severity of the injury and its location on the spinal cord has a direct correlation to the degree of impotency experienced.

Illegal Drugs
Illegal drugs have many known side effects and health risks. Marijuana and cocaine for example, have been reported to cause sexual dysfunction in men as well as women.
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Male Impotence

What Is Impotence And Who Has It?
Male Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction is the inability of a man to attain and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Most men, at different times in their lives, will experience an occasional loss of erection occurrence; for others it happens more frequently, and for many more it happens all the time. It is believed about half of all men in the United States 40 years on up experience erectile dysfunction to some degree . It’s also defined by the extent to which it concerns the man and his partner.
Impotence affects about 30 million men in the US and millions of men worldwide. Luckily, whether it is occasional or more frequent, impotence is a common, treatable, medical condition.

Medical Conditions And Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is often times associated with medical conditions that affect the health of veins and arteries. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease are known conditions as well as depression, prostate surgery, and perenial or spinal injuries. Many medications cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect. Some antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, high cholesterol medications, and diuretics are included.

Talking To Your Partner
One of the most important, lifetime, emotional issues for any man is the fear of mid-way letdown, keeping an erection that’s firm enough for sexual activity, or the inability to perform at all. This lack of adequate performance can introduce a level of stress to an otherwise fulfilling, intimate experience. It’s understandable to feel a little uncomfortable talking to your partner about inadequate erections, however, bringing out in the open what has not been said is often times the best way to strengthen intimacy. Couples can best face individual concerns by talking about their feelings and assuring one another they care. Often times reopening the channel of communication recreates the natural bond that exists for adequate lovemaking. Experts agree good communication is the key for any lasting relationship.

Although Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) is extremely useful in restoring normal sexual response, it is also important to commit to renewing your relationship. Recognizing that sexual stimulation involves emotional intimacy as well as physical touch can reestablish the close connection you once had. Taking the time to set the mood enhances success. Create romantic habits by adjusting your normal family activities to include some enjoyable time together. Adding intimate moments can be fun and often times requires simple lifestyle adjustments.

New habits and priorities can include:

• Setting a monthly or weekly “date” night
• Cuddling up and tucking in early
• Watching a romantic movie
• Going for a stroll in the park or on the beach
• Serving breakfast in bed
• Writing love notes and hiding them around the house
• Giving unexpected, sincere compliments
• Being outrageously spontaneous and out of character
• Saying “I love you” more often.

Lifestyle Changes To Improve Sexual Health
Research states that making simple lifestyle improvements can significantly add to a person’s physical and emotional well-being, improving sexual and overall health.

Follow a health conscious diet. It’s the first step most often recommended by physicians and experts alike. Many people believe adding a quality daily vitamin-mineral supplement is also important in today’s modern world.

Quit smoking. Cigarettes seriously affect proper healthy circulation. Smokers are believed to have more problems with erectile dysfunction than non-smokers.

Drink in moderation. Alcoholic beverages used in excess also sedate the central nervous system impacting the ability to get and keep a firm erection.

Relieve Stress. Anxiety or stress, at any level, can affect interest in sex as well as the level of arousal and intimacy one may feel. Many people are joining the ranks of fitness enthusiast to combat stress. Taking daily walks, dancing, yoga, tai chi, and meditation are a few known stress reducers.
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Recommended Books

VIAGRA: THE VIRILITY BREAKTHROUGH
Othniel J. Seiden/ Paperback/ Prima Communications Inc. July 1998
Approx. Price: $15.00
Dr. Seiden examines the actual science behind Viagra so you can make an informed decision about its use. Highlights include: Detailed information about the causes and implications of sexual dysfunctions. An in-depth explanation of how Viagara works. Alternative treatments for male erection problems, all known side effects and contraindications, and more.

100 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Pamela Elsworth and Bob Stanley/ Paperback / Jones & Bartlett Publishers Inc. / Nov. 2002
Approx. Price: $16.95
Guide to coping with Erectile Disfunction. Includes: Evaluating and what to expect, chapters on treatment, talking about and living with erection problems.

VIAGRA: A GUIDE TO THE PHENOMENOL POTENCY-PROMOTING DRUG
Susan C. Vaughan/ Mass Market Paperback/ Pocket Books/ May 1998
Approx. Price: $5.99
Psychiatrist Susan C. Vaughan, M.D. explains the full potential of America's favorite new drug. Publisher states Viagra to be as revolutionary as the pill and more controversial than Prozac. Also says potency-promoting Viagra has fast become the most successfully launched drug in pharmaceutical history and that since its FDA approval, the sexual enhancement medication has proven nearly 80 percent effective—riveting the sex lives of hundreds of thousands of couples, while finally bringing the age-old problem of erectile disfunction out from under the covers.

THE HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL GUIDE TO MEN'S HEALTH
Harvey B. Simon, Julie E. Buring/ Hardcover/ Free Press/ Sept. 2002
Approx. Price: $27.00
Publishers Weekly critic says this new health guide should be required reading for any man between the ages of 18 and 80.
A comprehensive reference to the diseases particularly important to men, including prostate and testicular cancers, penile dysfunction, kidney and bladder problems. Simon strives to empower men to improve their health and motivate them to improve their lifestyles. He reviews programs of diet, exercise, supplements, stress control, and medical care based on three long-term Harvard studies that tracked more than 96,000 men for many years.

VIAGRA: HOW THE MIRACLE DRUG HAPPENED AND WHAT IT CAN DO FOR YOU
Robert A. Kloner/ Paperback/ M. Evans/ Sept. 2000
Approx. Price: $14.95
This Books statistics reports erectile disfunction (impotency) afflicts 30 million males in the U.S. Two doctors and a respected medical writer provide a comprehensive and authoritative resource on the "love drug" Viagra.
Covers a full range of penis erection questions and concerns.

IMPOTENCE IN DIABETES
David E. Price, William Alexander / Hardcover / Taylor & Francis, Inc. / February 2002
Approx. Price: $55.00
Covers: Erectile disfunction: the neglected complication of diabetes, Pathophysiology of impotence, Epidemiology and clinical aspects of impotency in diabetes, Management of impotence in diabetes and more. Diabetologists have long ignored erection problems even though it’s perhaps the most common complication of diabetic men.

VIAGRA: THE POTENCY PROMISE
Larry Katzenstei, L. Katzenstein/ Mass Market Paperback/ St. Martin’s Press/ June 1999
Approx. Price: $5.50
Includes: How to tell if you’re a candidate for vigra purchase, how it works in the body, side-effects, drug interactions, dosages. If it can help normal men experience a more satisfying sexual performance and if it can be used as a sexual enhancement in women.
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