Erectile Dysfunction
It is estimated that as many as 100 million men worldwide suffer from Erectile Dysfunction.
Erectile Dysfunction can be defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Health professionals in general prefer the term "Erectile Dysfunction," which more precisely defines the nature of the condition that is sometimes called "impotence" because the later implies weakness to many people.
It is estimated that as many as 100 million men worldwide suffer from ED. However, more than 85% of men with ED don't seek treatment. Among the reasons are the incorrect assumptions that ED is a normal consequence of aging and that there is no treatment available. The truth is that the likelihood of ED does increase with age because the prevalence of the underlying conditions that are associated with ED increases with age. The failure of sufferers to seek treatment is especially unfortunate because ED is a treatable condition and may be a symptom of another underlying medical problem that needs to be treated as well.
Causes for ED
Many people incorrectly believe that ED is a purely psychological problem. Erectile Dysfunction is primarily physical in origin, but psychological factors, alone or in combination with physical factors, can cause ED. Among the conditions associated with ED are:
Hypertension
Diabetes
Hardening of the arteries and other vascular disorders that interfere with the flow of blood to the penis and the mechanism of erection
High cholesterol
Trauma, including injuries to the pelvis or spinal cord
Certain types of surgery and radiation therapy
Multiple sclerosis and other nervous system disorders
Depression
Habits that worsen vascular disorders (e.g., abusing alcohol or smoking)
Treatments for ED
Various treatment alternatives are available and you should discuss them with your doctor. A primary care doctor can give a preliminary diagnosis of ED based on a patient history and a physical examination, but may refer a patient to a specialist, such as a urologist. Current treatments for ED include:
Oral medication
Intraurethral suppositories
Injectable drugs
Vacuum devices
Penile implants
Counseling and sex therapy
These methods have varying degrees of effectiveness and tolerability, and are used to treat ED caused by physical or psychological conditions.
Resources
Link to an excellent video from patient Bob Harvey who has received the Coloplast penile implant.
http://www.coloplastmenshealth.com/patient-story/bobs-story
Link to an TED Talk from Michael Russer about Creating Intamcy.
http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/Creating-extraordinary-intimacy
Coloplast
http://www.coloplast.com/
