Talking to Your Doctor About Erectile Dysfunction

Having Erectile Dysfunction can be an embarrassing and shameful condition to most men. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Because of the feelings that go along with this issue a lot of men tend to avoid a trip to the doctor. This will help you understand how to talk to your doctor, what questions to ask, and what information to give.

Self-diagnosing or self-prescribing for Erectile Dysfunction is very dangerous, although, a lot of men will do this in order to avoid the doctor’s office. If you think you have symptoms of ED it is better to go to the doctor and get an actual diagnosis as there could be serious underlying health problems that are actually causing ED. Such problems as diabetes and heart problems would cause ED. Medications can also cause ED, both prescribed and over-the-counter. Other times it could be a simple change in lifestyle that will do the trick. Smoking, drinking and no exercise can contribute to ED.

viagra is a commercial produced medicine conta...

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Sometimes in our embarrassment we forget to ask some important questions in an effort to escape the room as quickly as possible. This is one thing you want to take time to ask, listen and understand. Provide your doctor with as much information as possible. When you first noticed, what medicines you take, and how you would describe your sex drive is good information to start off with. If you are not satisfied with the information that your doctor gave you or you felt it was rushed and uncomfortable, it is alright to see another doctor. You should feel comfortable when discussing this with your doctor.

 

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Staying Healthy May Reduce Your Chances of ED

Some of the common causes of erectile dysfunction include diabetes, problems with the heart or the circulatory system, or stress and anxiety.

Diabetes

There are risk factors for diabetes that no one can control like age, ethnicity or even heredity. There are things that you can do to greatly reduce your chance for diabetes and the erectile dysfunction which about 85% of men, having diabetes, struggle with at some time. Getting plenty of regular exercise is a great way to help you avoid diabetes. Exercise and eating healthily are great ways to help you avoid getting diabetes. These help you control your weight which is another way to lower your diabetes risk. Another important strategy to lower your risk of diabetes is not to smoke. If you do, quit; if you don’t, don’t start. Smoking decreases your circulatory function and capacity which will increase your chances of diabetes and erectile dysfunction.

Heart / Circulatory Problems

Again, plenty of regular exercise helps you not only avoid diabetes but will strengthen your heart and circulatory system. You should get at least 20 min. of aerobic exercise 3 – 5 times a week. Erections happen through from the flow of blood to the penis so a healthy circulatory system is a definite need for avoiding ED. Eating healthy foods helps here as well.

Stress / Anxiety

Being able to handle these in healthy ways is conducive to a more healthy life-style. When you exercise endorphins are produced which help lower the effects of stress and anxiety.  Doing this with a good friend makes it even more healthy. Being able to talk to someone, can help alleviate the stress.

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Erectile Dysfunction: Accupuncture

In eastern medicine, the Chinese say that there are two causes for Erectile Dysfunction.  They are either a decline in the Mingmen Fire or downward flowing of the Damp Heat.

You may be experiencing Mingmen Fire Decline if in addition to not being able to obtain an erection or a weak erection you have cold extremities. You may also experience feeling dizzy or listlessness, have a sore and weak lower back and knees, and frequently need to urinate.

You may be experiencing a downward flowing of the Damp Heat if you have a bitter taste in your mouth or are very thirsty in addition to not being able to obtain an erection. You may have urine that is dark red and is hot, as well as feel weak and sore in your lower extremities.

There are physiological changes that need to happen in order for an erection to occur.  There must be arousal, the nervous system must increase the blood flow to the penis, and the blood vessels must relax in order to allow this to happen. After your acupuncturist determines what the cause is, they may choose to use herbs, acupuncture or both to resolve your issues.  Many times it will require 10-20 session at one time each week to achieve desired results.

Acupuncture is different then other treatments in the sense that it does not need to be done in that area.  With Chinese medicine, it uses the entire body, so a majority of the areas that would be treated would be the back and abdomen and extremities. While acupuncture is not the first treatment that usually comes to mind, it is a treatment that can be very effective.

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Erectile Dysfunction: Penis Pump

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Consisting of a plastic tube that fits over the penis, rubber constriction bands, and a battery-powered pump, a Penis Pump is a possible solution for those who experience erectile dysfunction. A Penis Pump is a good option if medication is not working for you and if getting an implant would be a bad idea. The Penis Pump is the erectile dysfunction treatment with the lowest risk for infection, side effects or other complications. It is also the lowest costing treatment to use once you have purchased the Initial pump.

The Penis Pump does not require any surgery, injections or medications. You could choose to use it with other treatments as well, such as medication or a penal implant if desired. It may also help you be able to retain the length and the girth of your penis.

If you have the following issues or risks, the Penis Pump may not be for you:

  • If you take blood thinning medication
  • If you have Sickle Cell Anemia
  • If you have any blood clotting disorders
  • If you have a disorder that makes you bleed

Some of the side effects that you could experience if you choose to use this treatment are:

  • Petechiae, small red dots from bleeding under the surface of the skin on your penis
  • Numbness, coldness or blue skin when the constriction band is in place.
  • A lack of firmness at the base of the penis, causing the issue of pivoting
  • Possible pain and/or bruising of the penis
  • Delayed ejaculation or a sense of semen being trapped during ejaculation

Make sure to consult with your doctor when considering your options for your erectile dysfunction so that you can choose the best solution for you.

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Erectile Dysfunction: Inflatible Implant

Inflatable penile implants are a great option for those who experience erectile dysfunction and the use of medication fails to help with the issue. There are two different types of inflatable implants.  There is the two piece and the three piece. The two piece implant contains:

  • Two Inflatable rods inside the penis
  • A self-contained fluid reservoir and pump within the scrotum

The Three piece implant is similar, and includes:

  • Two inflatable rods in the penis
  • A pump within the scrotum
  • A fluid reservoir placed within the abdomen

The way that both of these implants works is the same, how each does it is a little different.  Both implants require the patient to squeeze the pump within the scrotum to fill the inflatable rods creating an erection. The three-piece implant creates a harder erection, and the fluid flows from the reservoir into the pump then up into the inflatable rods.  Both implants have a release valve within the scrotum that can be pressed to return the penis to its normal state, draining the fluid back into the reservoir.

The cost for these implants are higher then the semi-rigid rod implants. They also have more parts that can malfunction. However, they do allow for the penis to be deflated where the tissue can be allowed to rest, where as with a semi-rigid rod, the implant never deflates, it simply is folded down to hide the erection when not in use for sex. The risk for infection is higher, especially in certain patients, then with the other implant.  However, the erection can also feel more natural due to the pumping action in inflate and the ability to deflate. The two-piece also makes the scrotum more bulkier then the two-piece would.

When considering a penile implant, make sure to consult your Dr to determine which is the best for you and what risk factors you may need to consider.

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Horny Goat Weed, Alternative Erectile Dysfunction Solution?

Used for over 2000 years by traditional Chinese practitioners. The exact way that the Horny Goat Weed works is not known, but it is said to be an aphrodisiac that increases libido in men and women. For men, it also is believed to improve erectile dysfunction.

The plant grows at very high altitudes and has been used to restore sexual fire, alleviate menopausal discomfort, as well as reduce fatigue. In Eastern medicine, they look at the entire individual as they determine what natural medicinal combinations to use.  In Western medicine, generally only the disease is treated. In China, over 100 tons of Horny Goat Weed are sold a year.

The Chinese swear by this herb as the best sex help natural medicine that you can try.  They say that it has so many benefits for both males and females.  It brings back the sexual vitality of youth.  The weed grows all over, and when it is harvested, they take only the leaves, leaving the roots so that more can continue to grow on the plants. No chemicals are applied to the plants, so they are clean and pure.

There has been tests completed on rats where the Horny Goat Weed was injected directly into the rats penis and it did indeed increase the penile blood pressure. Viagra also contains some of the same active ingredients as Horny Goat Weed. Horny Goat Weed also relaxes the smooth muscles in females, allowing more blood flow to the clitoris. It is also believed that it may help balance the levels of cortisol, testosterone, and the thyroid. Of all herbs for menopause, Horny Goat Weed had the highest estrogenic activity.

There has not been any reported interactions with any drugs.  Additionally, there has not been enough research done that it has been declared safe to use for erectile dysfunction or menopausal issues in Wesetern Medicine, however, you can always consider the 2000 year use of the herb by the Chinese as evidence in and of itself.

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Male Infertility: Electro Ejaculation Therapy for Anejaculation Issues

It can be difficult for a man experiencing anejaculation.  Anejaculation means that a man is never able to reach orgasm or ejaculation through intercourse or masturbation.  This can be the result of spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, or deep-rooted psychological issues. Those men that do not have a spinal cord injury may just require more stimulation before they are able to get an erection and experience ejaculation. There are also medications that make it possible to have this issue as well. Most men that have spinal cord injuries will not be able to ejaculate.  About 60% of them though will be able to still have an erection.

There are different treatments available. Psycho-sexual counseling can be used for those who have psychological issues that keep them from experiencing erection, ejaculation or both. If the dysfunction is the result of the use of specific medications, they are likely to be able to be discontinued and regular function will return.  Additionally, there are a couple medications that can be tried.  In some cases, there is vibrator therapy. Vibration therapy involves a long duration of exposure of the penis to vibration.  In about 60% of cases of those with spinal cord injuries, this will produce ejaculation. And then the procedure of artificial insemination may be used. Another approach is to use Electro Ejaculation Therapy. This therapy involves applying an electrical current to the ejaculatory nerve plexus through the rectum.  This stimulates ejaculation. The success rate is 100% for men that have no physical defects but have anorgasmic anejaculation.  The success rate is about 80% if nerves are damaged when using either vibratory stimulation or electro-ejaculation therapy.

Due to modern advancement in the medical field it is now possible for those men who would not be able to have children before have them today.  Advances have also made many different options available, and most of them are highly successful.  It really depends on the medical needs and situations of each individual.

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What is Intra cytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI?

Commonly used for male infertility issues, ICSI is the proceedure of injecting a single sperm into an egg in order to bring about fertilization.  It also can be used when it is overly hard for a sperm to penetrate the egg cell, or when a sperm donor is needed in order to produce a child. It is also an effective procedure when dealing with teratozoospermia. Even with severe abnormal sperm morphology, ICSI has been useful in obtaining a few sperm cells that have normal morphology and make it possible to have a much higher success rate.

This technique was first used in Brussells at the center for Reproductive Medicine. The procedure is done under the use of a microscope. A holding pipette is used to hold the egg cell, while the sperm is sucked into a small glass tube, and then is injected into the egg.  The egg is then put into cell culture and then is checked the following day for fertilization.

There are few factors that can influence success or failure:

  • Semen Quality
  • Advanced Maternal Age
  • Comet Assay

ICSI is considered a safe solution for male infertility, however, there is the possibility of increased risk of certain genetic abnormalties. Most of these are inherent with some low sperm count patients. About 5% of these men can have missing DNA in there Y chromosone. One of these issues is the possibility of low sperm count in the offspring if it is a male. About 1-4% of children born through natural means are born with major malformation, and there does not appear to be an increase for those that were created through ICSI instead. The medical research on this has conflicting studies.  Some say there is no increase for birthdefects then there are for the natural creation of children, others say that there is a slight increase.  Couple considering ICSI and IVF should keep this in mind.

ICSI is a wonderful breakthrough, that has allowed many couples to have children of their own that they would not have been able to have any other way.

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Reasons People Try Alternative Medicine

A lot of people choose alternative forms of medicine instead of going with regular medicine. Here are some of the reasons why they choose to go with alternative medicine.

  • Natural – The first reason that people choose alternative medicine is that it’s often more natural than other forms. This is important for people who have religious beliefs that are against taking different kinds of medicine.
  • Not Working – The second reason that people choose alternative medicine is that maybe the other stuff isn’t working.   If they’re desperate and they don’t know what to do, then they are looking for other things that they can do.
  • Curious – The third reason that people choose alternative medicine is that they are curious about whether or not they work. Maybe someone else has tried it and they told the person about it, so they want to give it a try.
  • Alternative – The final reason that people choose to try alternative medicine is that they are looking for something different to help them with their problems.  Maybe they’re tired of the pills and other things that the regular medicine is going to give them and they are looking for another way.

These are four reasons that people are trying alternative medicine.  If you are interested in trying it, chances are that you are familiar with these reasons because one of them is your reason for trying them.   Alternative medicine is a good idea if you are interested. Just give it a try and see what it has to offer.

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General Sex Tips for Men

Sex is a lot of fun and can be something that is memorable, but there are things that you should remember if you know that you are going to have sex or if you see it as a possibility. Here are some things that men should remember when it comes to sex.

  • If you have a sore on your penis or if there’s discharge, sex is out. This could mean that you have an STD. The last thing that you want to do is to give that to your partner.
  • If you’re with someone new, wrap it up. Don’t take the chance and not use a condom, despite how innocent he or she seems. Besides, even if she doesn’t have an STD there’s always the chance of pregnancy.
  • Remember that you may see your penis as small but that doesn’t mean your partner thinks that it is.  Even if you have a smaller penis, in your opinion, if you do well with foreplay and you are very attentive you are still going to satisfy the woman.
  • Don’t rush right into sex and put your attention right on the genitals.  Go slow and make her know that you appreciate her.  A good way to do this is to learn how to do a massage.   When you do that you want to use a lot of lubrication.
  • Show your partner that you think she’s beautiful and pay a lot of attention to her by kissing her, spoiling her, and complimenting her.  Remember to pay attention to her breasts and the other sexual zones.

These are things that you can do to make sex good for you and your partner. Make sure that you are taking it slow and that you are not having sex if there’s a chance that you have an STD.

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