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Everything You Need To Know About Erectile Dysfunction – At Home Urgent Care

Author’s Bio: Saher B.Haider has a Pharmacy degree and is a freelance writer in the health and
wellness industry. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her
family.

Erectile Dysfunction, or ED, is a common sexual health problem in men that causes the inability to achieve the firm erection necessary for achieving satisfactory intercourse. The condition affects about 30 million men in the US. According to UW Health, about 5% of men above 40 have ED, and the figures continue to increase with age.

What causes ED?

There is no single cause of ED; however, the risks of having ED increase with age. The condition usually occurs due to underlying health problems, environmental and psychological reasons, or both. Common risk factors of ED are:
  • Heart diseases, high cholesterol, and obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney problems, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Hormonal problems
  • Use of certain medications
  • Drug abuse
  • Smoking and drinking too much alcohol
  • Stress

Symptoms of ED

ED can result from sudden injury to the penis, stress or use of drugs, or underlying health issues. If you have ED, you might face one or more of the following problems:
  • Inability to get an erection at all (complete erectile dysfunction)
  • Failure to get an erection sometimes, but not every time you want to have sex
  • Getting an erection which does not last
  • An erection that is not strong enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse
  • Overall reduced sexual desire (low libido)

Help for ED

ED is not a typical sign of aging and can occur due to several reasons, including a serious health problem. The condition significantly impacts sexual life, and if left unmanaged, ED can take a toll on your emotional health and lead to depression and anxiety. If you are facing any of the symptoms related to ED, don’t feel hesitant to talk about it and get help from health professionals right away.

Managing ED

Management starts with determining the cause behind ED. Your health care provider will take a thorough medical history by asking questions about your erection problems, the presence of other health issues, the medications you are taking, your lifestyle, and level of physical activity. Standard treatment options currently approved for managing ED include oral muscle relaxants, injectable muscle relaxants and suppositories, hormonal therapy, penile implants and penis pumps.

Medications

Depending on the cause, ED can be treated with the following medication groups Muscle Relaxants Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5) are a group of muscle relaxants which improve erection by increasing blood flow towards the penis on sexual stimulation. The most commonly prescribed PDE5 inhibitors in the US are sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil. All of these are taken orally, and the dosage depends on the level and severity of ED. Your doctor will recommend the right dose and frequency for you after a detailed evaluation of your ED. People with low blood pressure issues or those who are already taking medications for heart disease must be given PDE5 with great caution and only under the supervision of a health care professional. Apart from PDE5 inhibitors, Alprostadil is also used to treat ED. The drug is also a muscle relaxant which improves erection by facilitating blood flow into the penis. Your doctor may prescribe you Alprostadil as an intracavernosal injection or suppository. The injection is administered into the tip of the penis where the medication works locally to improve erection whereas the suppository is inserted into the penile urethra with a special applicator. Hormonal Therapy In some cases, ED is caused by low levels of the male sex hormone testosterone in the blood. Testosterone replacement therapy makes up for this deficiency by delivering adequate levels of testosterone through a transdermal application.

Foods That May Help With ED

While medications are reserved as the standard treatment options for ED, certain foods may also help with erection, improve your libido, and spice up your sex life. Note that none of these is approved by the FDA for treating ED. Still, they may enhance sexual desire by acting as aphrodisiacs, improving blood circulation in the penis or by promoting the release of testosterone. Foods that are known to help with ED include Tribulus, Maca, Red ginseng, Saffron, and Gingko biloba.

Online Doctor Visits

Erectile dysfunction appears as a trivial and embarrassing health condition with severe outcomes on physical and emotional health. When left unattended, ED can adversely affect relationships and sexual life. If you or your partner are struggling with ED or similar sexual health issues, feel free to talk about it and seek help immediately.  At Home Urgent Care provides telehealth services so you can safely and confidently keep your health in check with our primary and urgent care services. Feel free to book an appointment today with our health experts available at your disposal for 365 days a year.

Book an Appointment

Online Doctor Appointment - At Home Urgent Care

Step 1

Call or Book your online Doctor Visit

Online Doctor Appointment - At Home Urgent Care

Step 2

Talk to a doctor over the Phone/ Tablet

Online Doctor Appointment - At Home Urgent Care

Step 3

If needed pick up your medication at the pharmacy