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- Erectile Dysfunction
When we started seeing some of the interesting statistics surrounding erectile dysfunction, we knew we had to do a podcast/newsletter covering this topic. So many men suffer with this (52% of men over 40 have some degree of erectile dysfunction). In this newsletter, I want to methodically go through this issue and give a good, Simplified understanding. Let’s dive in.
How do you know if you have erectile dysfunction? The easy answer is if you answer no to either of these two questions: 1) Are you able to get an erection sufficient for penetration and 2) Are you able to maintain that erection until orgasm? If you answer no to either, you have ED.
Why do you get ED? It’s not necessarily aging, but more the accumulation of co-morbid conditions such as: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels in the blood, obesity , low testosterone, medication use, and depression.
Why should I care about ED? First, studies show that the quality of life scores are significantly impaired in men with sexual dysfunction. Second, engaging in sexual activity without sufficient rigidity can increase the chances of Peyronie’s disease (accumulating micro-trauma’s over time that can lead to a bend in the penis that can be very significant, painful, and debilitating). Finally, studies have shown a correlation between ED and cardiovascular disease. Some authors have stated that 15% of men who developed ED had a cardiovascular event within 7 years! Another study showed that 50% of men who had a cardiovascular event reported ED 39 months prior to that event! It is a signal that should not be ignored.
What is actually happening with ED? The muscles of the penis can become atrophied and fibrotic over time. Then as the blood comes in with arousal, the muscles will not swell enough to block blood from leaving the penis. Normally, the muscles will swell enough to hold blood in the penis. Most of the time, this is the result of low testosterone, and the old saying of “if you don’t use it, you lose it”. In order to keep the penile tissue healthy, regular erections, nocturnal erections, and sexual activity are essential to bring oxygen to the tissue.
What are treatment options with ED? We discuss several on the podcast, but the main two are the use of drugs such as Viagra and Cialis and lifestyle interventions. Daily use of Cialis can help with building the penile muscle as in increases blood flow to the penis. It can also prevent muscle atrophy, improve urinary symptoms, improve endothelial function, and is FDA approved for pulmonary hypertension. Studies also show a significant improvement in ED with focus on exercise, diet, sleep, and stress reduction.
Simplified Takeaways…
Erectile dysfunction is a very common problem for men, especially over the age of 40.
Many men will ignore it or be too embarrassed to bring it up with their doctor.
We make the case above that this is a bad idea due to everything from lower quality of life measures to an increased chance of cardiovascular disease.
There are effective medications as well as lifestyle interventions for the treatment of ED.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advise. No doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this newsletter or materials linked from this newsletter is at the user’s own risk. The content of this newsletter is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advise, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advise for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.