Erectile Dysfunction Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment
Understanding
Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual activity. Erections can occur due to the influx of blood flow to the penis.
This usually occurs after sexual stimulation is sent to the brain, then passed on to the innervation of the penis. However, there are some conditions where an erection cannot occur, such as diabetes and heart problems.
Symptom
Erectile dysfunction is characterized by the inability to have an erection that occurs regularly and repeatedly. Even with sexual stimulation, penile erection cannot occur.
A person with erectile dysfunction usually has risk factors for this disorder. Various diseases associated with erectile dysfunction are diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Reason
There are many causes of erectile disorders. Therefore, finding the exact causal factor sometimes requires careful examination. Here are various causes of erectile dysfunction to pay attention to:
- Drugs (antidepressants) and nicotine
- Disorders of the cavernosum (Peyronie’s disease)
- Psychological disorders, anxiety, stress and mental disorders
- Surgery
- Aging
- Kidney disorders
- Diabetes mellitus
- lifestyle, such as smoking
Surgical complications are one of the causes of erectile dysfunction. Various surgeries that interfere with the nerves in the penile area can cause erectile dysfunction, for example, surgical removal of the prostate.
Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. In this disease, there is damage to blood vessels and autonomic nerves. Blood vessel disorders can make it difficult for blood to flow into the penis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction can be established based on patient complaints. However, the cause of erectile dysfunction can be looked for by carrying out several examinations such as:
- Hormone check. A person with erectile dysfunction can undergo hormone tests to find out the secondary causes of this disorder. Examination of the hormones testosterone and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) can be done to see hormonal disorders that can be the basis of erectile dysfunction disorders.
- A duplex ultrasound examination can be done to check blood flow in the patient’s penis. In blood vessel disorders such as atherosclerosis, the blood flow to the penis will be reduced and cause erectile disorders.
- Penis skin sensitivity test. Penis sensitivity can be checked by examining the sensitivity of the skin to vibration stimulation. Erectile dysfunction can occur due to an increase in a person’s vibration threshold so that it is difficult to become aroused. This examination can detect whether there are sensory disturbances that underlie erectile dysfunction.
Treatment
Treatment of erectile dysfunction depends on the cause. Exercise is effective in preventing erectile dysfunction. For smokers, quitting smoking is one way to reduce the likelihood of erectile dysfunction.
Various medications can be tried to treat erectile dysfunction. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors are a type of drug that is widely available on the market to increase blood flow to the penis. This drug works by increasing the caliber of the penile blood vessels.
Some examples of this class of drugs are sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil. Treatment in the form of an ointment on the skin is also available. Alprostadil injections can also be done to treat erectile disorders. The injection can be done sometime before sexual intercourse.