Erectile dysfunction is one of the most common male problems that doctors often see. It affects about 30 million males around the world, especially those over the age of 40.
The occasional occurrence of erectile dysfunction is not a serious problem, but its persistent occurrence and its impact on the quality of sexual and marital life require medical examination and treatment.
In this article, we present more details about this pathology in terms of; Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and whether erectile dysfunction be treated permanently or not.
How does an erection occur naturally?
To be able to explain how erectile dysfunction can be treated permanently, we must first explain the nature of the election process and how it occurs.
To better understand erectile dysfunction, you must first know how an erection occurs naturally. It is done as follows:
- When a male feels sexually aroused, the nerves in the penis secrete certain chemicals.
- These chemicals relax the spongy tissue (corpus cavernosum) in the penis, promoting blood flow to the penis and causing an erection.
- When a man reaches an orgasm, nerve signals arrive that cause the muscles of the penis to
contract and the excess blood flow back into circulation. So he lost an erection. - The penis also changes size according to cold, warmth, or anxiety. This is normal and only reflects the extent of blood flow to the penis.
About erectile dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection during sex in a way that does not satisfy the sexual desire of the male or the other party. At that point, the husband or the spouse begins to question “Can erectile dysfunction be permanently treated?”.
Erectile dysfunction may occur naturally from time to time with age or with stress and anxiety. But it routinely persists for a long time and requires immediate examination; Just be an indication of various health problems such as:
- Having problems with blood flow to the penis.
- Damage to the nerves feeding the penis.
- Some cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.
- diabetic.
This condition may be an obstacle to a happy married life. It also affects the male's self-confidence and increases his tension and anxiety. But there is no need to worry too much, as erectile dysfunction can be permanently treated in some cases, depending on the cause.
Causes of erectile dysfunction
This condition occurs as a result of a defect in any of the normal stages of erection. The advancing age - especially over the age of fifty - is one of the most important factors affecting it. But in general, the causes of erectile dysfunction are health problems that affect:
- Penile blood flow.
- The nerve supply to the penis.
Examples of these health problems include:
- Some cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure.
- Atherosclerosis is due to high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
- Persistently high blood sugar (diabetes mellitus).
- An imbalance in the secretion of male hormones such as testosterone.
- Psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Social problems such as worrying problems between spouses.
- Sleep disorders.
- Excessive alcohol use.
- Binge smoking.
- Take certain medications, such as some antidepressants and medications for high blood pressure.
- Parkinson's disease.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Injury to the pelvic area.
- obesity.
- Surgical or radiotherapy for pelvic cancers.
This condition can be caused by one or several factors together. For example, advancing age does not mean that it is necessary, but it may contribute to other causes of erectile dysfunction.
Therefore, examination and follow-up with a specialized doctor must be carried out to find out the cause and determine the possibility of treating erectile dysfunction permanently or not, based on the specific cause.
Erectile dysfunction symptoms
The main symptom of erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection during sex long enough to satisfy the male's sexual desire and that of the other party.
It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- The tension of sexual performance.
- Self-confidence is undermined.
- Depression.
Symptoms of other health conditions accompanying such as premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, or loss of sexual desire to perform sex regardless of the stimuli.
After following the different treatment methods that will be mentioned, the man should feel a noticeable improvement in these symptoms, and then we can say that the erectile dysfunction has been treated permanently.
Methods for diagnosing erectile dysfunction
Diagnosis is an important step to determine the cause, the appropriate treatment method for each case, and the possibility of permanently treating erectile dysfunction. Diagnosis is made by taking a medical history, doing a physical examination, and other tests as follows:
Medical history
The doctor asks several questions to assess the general health status of the case and to know the factors that may contribute to the occurrence of erectile dysfunction. Including questions about:
- Smoking.
- Use of alcohol or drugs.
- The lifestyle followed in terms of diet and sports activities.
- A history of injury in the pelvic area or having operations in it.
- Having other diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.
- The various relations problems between the two parties.
- Presence of stressful conditions or anxiety in general.
- Taking any medications such as antidepressants or high blood pressure medications.
He also asks about the apparent symptoms:
When did you start?
Did it appear gradually or suddenly?
Do you wake up in the morning or evening and have an erection?
Are there problems with sexual arousal?
How strong is the erection if it occurs?
Are there ejaculation problems?
physical examination
A physical examination aims to determine the degree of erectile dysfunction and some of the causes that may lead to it. During this time, the doctor will examine:
- Testicles and penis.
- Prostate through rectal examination.
- Heart through: measure blood pressure and listen for the pulse.
- lab tests
The doctor may order some tests to help him determine the cause, including:
- blood tests
- Check your blood sugar level.
- Checking the level of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood.
- Checking blood levels of testosterone and other hormones such as thyroid hormones.
- urine analysis
This is because some urinary problems can make erections difficult. It also helps in diagnosing diabetes.
Fourth: other examinations
Your doctor may order other tests to determine the cause of erectile dysfunction, such as:
Ultrasound: It helps in assessing the blood flow to the penis and identifying any problems related to it that may lead to erectile dysfunction.
Morning and Night Penile Erection Test: A small device is worn on the thighs with sensors attached to the penis to measure spontaneous night and morning erections.
It is worn for three consecutive days to differentiate between erectile dysfunction as a result of organic causes and erectile dysfunction as a result of psychological problems.
Alprostadil Injection Test 1
During this Alprostadil 1 is injected directly into the corpora cavernosa. Alprostadil works by dilating the blood vessels and thus blood flow to the penis as well as an erection.
After the injection, the doctor waits for several minutes until an erection occurs and then judges the strength or weakness of the erection with the patient's help. Usually, patients who achieve a satisfactory erection in this way are followed up with their treatment.
Methods for treating erectile dysfunction
The treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on the cause. Therefore, examination and follow-up with a specialist must be made to determine the appropriate treatment that suits your condition. Depending on the cause, treatment includes:
drug therapy
Medicines to improve blood flow and get an erection, such as:
- Sildenafil (Viagra).
- Tadalafil (Adcirca).
Postal 1 is injected directly into the penis.
Medications to treat male hormone deficiency, such as testosterone replacement.
penis pumps
It is a device in which the penis is placed and then a certain suction force is created that helps blood flow to the penis and the occurrence of an erection. She maintains an erection for about 30 minutes.
It consists of three parts:
A plastic tube into which the penis is placed.
Pump to make suction power.
A tightening ring is placed at the base of the penis when the device is removed to maintain an erection.
psychological counseling
To treat one of the most important causes of erectile dysfunction; Anxiety, tension, and various relationship problems. It includes:
Speech therapy.
Marriage counseling.
Behavioral therapy to manage anxiety and stress.
These methods also help other treatments achieve effective, consistent results.
surgical treatment: Surgical treatment is suitable for certain categories of patients, especially those with whom other treatment methods have not been successful or who cannot take medication for a long time, such as some heart patients. Surgical treatment includes:
Penile implants.
Vascular surgeries to repair blocked or damaged vessels during various pelvic injuries.
Is it possible to treat erectile dysfunction permanently?
Yes, erectile dysfunction can be treated permanently, but it depends on the possibility of eliminating the cause of erectile dysfunction or not. Some of the causes can be eliminated and their impact, such as:
- obesity.
- smoking.
- Use of alcohol or drugs.
- High cholesterol in the blood.
- Psychological and emotional causes.
- Erectile dysfunction is a side effect of taking some medications.
However, other causes cannot be completely cured, but treatment aims to reduce their impact and control the apparent symptoms, such as:
heart disease;
Imbalance in the secretion of some hormones such as thyroid hormones, testosterone, and cortisone.
Methods for permanently treating erectile dysfunction.
Permanently treating erectile dysfunction is for some disposable reasons. It is done as follows:
Obesity: It is necessary to get rid of excess weight and follow a proper diet that provides the body with its daily needs. Also, physical exertion must be made daily.
Get rid of bad habits
- stop smoking.
- Reducing alcohol use.
- Avoid drugs.
- Stop eating ready-made foods
- Rich in fats and oils to reduce
- Cholesterol level.
- Psychological and emotional problems
A psychiatrist should be consulted in the event of previous traumatic experiences and to control stress and anxiety. Thus, reducing their impact on self-confidence and mutually satisfactory sexual performance.
Erectile dysfunction as a side effect of some medications
Some medications, such as antidepressants, anti-hypertensive drugs, antihistamines, and analgesics are responsible for 25% of erectile dysfunction cases.
When taking any of these medications and experiencing erectile dysfunction, you should consult your doctor to reduce the dose, stop them, or prescribe another medication that does not cause erectile dysfunction.
In the end, it must be known that the final treatment of erectile dysfunction depends on accurately determining the cause of erectile dysfunction and choosing the best method of treatment based on the age and condition of the man.
