Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Treatment
By Connie Limon
Do not be embarrassed. It is important to seek treatment. Most cases of erectile dysfunction
can be successfully treated.
There are a wide variety of options for treating erectile dysfunction. They include
medications, simple mechanical devices, surgery and psychological counseling. The cause and the severity of your condition will determine the
best treatment or combination of treatments for you. If erectile dysfunction is the result of a medical condition the cost of treatment may be
covered by insurance.
In 1998 the Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra as the first oral medication for
erectile dysfunction. Since then, Levitra and Cialis have been approved.
Nitric oxide is a chemical messenger that relaxes smooth muscles in the penis. The drugs of
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are chemically known as phosphodieterase inhibitors which enhance this process by increasing the amount of blood and
allow a natural sequence to occur – an erection in response to sexual stimulation. They do not automatically product an erection. Many men
experience improvement in erectile function after taking these medications regardless of the cause of their impotence.
Not all men can or should take these medications to treat erectile dysfunction. In addition, do
not expect these medications to fix your impotence immediately. The following is a list of high risk patients:
• Men who have experienced a heart attack, stroke or life-threatening heart rhythm during the
last six months
• If you are told sexual activity could trigger a cardiac event
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
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