Smoking - Erectile Dysfunction

Does Smoking Affects Sexual Function?

Smoking presents serious health risks, but research shows that men who smoke also have an increased chance of experiencing erectile dysfunction, according to a study by Tulane University researchers. (Credit: Paula Burch-Celentano)

ScienceDaily (Aug. 1, 2007) - Men who smoke cigarettes run an increased risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction, and the more cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk, according to a study by Tulane University researchers published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
A team of researchers led by Jiang He, Professor of Epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, examined the association between cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction in a 2000-2001 study in China involving 7,684 men. The researchers used questionnaires to assess the status of cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction. Those surveyed were men between the ages of 35-74 who did not have vascular disease.

The team found that there was a significant statistical link between the number of cigarettes that men smoked and the likelihood they would experience erectile dysfunction. The association between smoking and erectile dysfunction was even stronger in participants with diabetes. An estimated 22.7 percent of erectile dysfunction cases among Chinese men might be attributable to cigarette smoking, says the study.

Although erectile dysfunction is not a life-threatening condition, it compromises well-being and quality of life. The Tulane study results suggest that smoking prevention should be an important approach for reducing the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Credit to the Resource: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070727153458.htm

About Erection Problems

What I need to know about erection problems

Even though some people think that sex is a private thing, some people easily talk to their doctor or sexologist about their sex problems. Either they do not want to share their sex problems with anyone. But if you have problem with keeping an erection, you have good reason to talk with your doctor to have good sexual health and your quality of life. Sexual relationship problems can spoil your relationship with your partner. So, feel free to talk to your doctor about your erection problems.

Erection problems used to be called impotence. Now the term erectile dysfunction is more common. Sometimes people just use the initials ED.

ED can be a sign of health problems. It may mean your blood vessels are clogged. It may mean you have nerve damage from diabetes. If you don't see your doctor, these problems will go untreated.

Another reason to see your doctor is to treat ED itself. Your doctor can offer several new treatments. For many men, the answer is as simple as taking a pill. Other men have to try two or three options before they find a treatment that works for them. Don't give up if the first treatment doesn't work. Finding the right treatment can take time.

Points to Remember About Your Erection Problems

• Erection problems may be a sign of health problems.
• A doctor can help you overcome erection problems.
• Smoking, being overweight, and avoiding exercise can contribute to erection problems.
• Most cases of ED have a physical cause, but counseling can help couples build a stronger relationship.
• Many men can take a pill to treat ED. These men should still treat the health conditions that caused ED.
• Taking a pill doesn't work for everybody.
• Men who take any of the medicines called nitrates should not take a pill to treat ED.
  

FDA has approved three oral medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction viz. Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. These medication helps to treat erectile dysfunction(impotence). FDA has also approved few more medications for short time periods. But being first line treatment Viagra has largest market compare to Cialis and Levitra. To read about Viagra, Cialis and Levitra visit Sexual-Dysfunction.co.uk

List of Questions that your doctor may ask to you about your erection problems

Buy Intrinsa Testosterone Patches For Female Sexual Arousal

Researches are researching to find drugs that can help women with arousal difficulties. Just as Viagra was successful in helping many men with erectile difficulties. Currently, there is no magic blue pill, but there are a number of promising developments. Here I have given a brief overview of possible treatments and tried to encourage females to seek the correct treatments for their arousal treatments.

Testosterone

You know that androgen levels decrease in women as they age but testosterone supplements are helpful in some cases. Now testosterone is available in a form of a pill, patch, and a cream that is applied topically to the lower part of waist, wrists, or thighs, depending on the medical situation. Testosterone patches are one of the medications that treats arousal problems in women and applied for shorter periods of time by women.

In research studies testosterone has been shown to increase arousal and genital responsiveness in women. Side effects of testosterone include secondary male sexual characteristics, enlargement of the clitoris, acne, weight gain, and liver damage. In the very low dosages prescribed for women, however, these side effects are very unlikely to occur and can be controlled additionally by reducing the dosage further when necessary, taking “drug holidays”, and working closely with your healthcare provider.

Read more: How testosterone patches can help women with low sex drive?

Counteracting Side Effects

If you are taking medication that is affecting your sexual arousal, your health care provider may have a number of options for correcting the problems. Options to counteracting your problems includes changing medication, decreasing the dosage, or combining with an antidote. For women who experience arousal difficulties as a result of SSRI antidepressants(Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil an other), the addition of Viagra may help them reverse the unwanted side effects. This article is just to inform you about medications available in market but it is must that you consult your doctor before taking any of available treatments.

Read More: Causes of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Male sexual dysfunction treatments

Whatever its cause, you should not shy away from talking to a doctor about your sexual dysfunction. Most men try to hide this condition from their doctors because they feel embarrassed about the condition. Fortunately, nowadays there are many treatment options available for men who suffer from this condition. The most recommended treatments are Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

These three medications are available only on prescription. Viagra, Cialis or Levitra are specially designed for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction and should not be taken unless prescribed by the doctor.

You can also get these drugs online. Just browse through the Internet and you can see many websites coming up on your computer screen. Don’t choose any of them blindly; choose your online source after verifying its proper authenticity to make sure you are not buying fake drugs online.

Although quite effective, these treatments can have their share of some side effects. You should avoid these pills if your doctor does not recommend them.

Male sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction is a common problem in males as well as females. Most people, at some point in their life experience some kind of sexual problem. Among males, the most common form of sexual dysfunction is erectile dysfunction, which is also known as impotence.

Erectile dysfunction is a sexual condition which causes men to experience as of loss of erection. In some cases, men are able to have an erection but find it hard to sustain for enough time to complete any sexual activity satisfactorily.

The possible causes of male sexual dysfunction can be both physical and psychological in nature. Some of the physical conditions that can cause male sexual dysfunction are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Amongst the psychological causes of male sexual dysfunction, the most common are depression, stress at work or at home and relationship problems. If these are the causes, then these need to be treated first.

Male sexual dysfunction can also be caused due to some daily habits such as cigarette smoking, alcoholism and taking illegal drugs. ED can also be caused due to the side effects of some prescription drugs.

PDE-5 Inhibitors-FDA Approved Medication

Currently, there are three oral medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: Sildenafil (Viagra), Vardenafil (Levitra), and Tadalafil (Cialis). All these agents block the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) and belong to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors.

Since introduction of the first PDE-5 inhibitor Viagra, there has been a fundamental change in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Although there are a number of options available for non-surgical treatment, it is clear that oral therapy has revolutionized the treatment approach to patients with erectile dysfunction. The development of the PDE-5 inhibitors Levitra and Cialis prompts the question of whether and how these three medications differ in terms of their efficacy and adverse effects.

Viagra was the first and is probably the most famous of the three PDE-5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra was approved as an effective agent for treating erectile dysfunction in March 27, 1998. Viagra is manufactured by Pfizer, Inc.

Levitra was the second PDE-5 inhibitor to come to market in the United States, and it was approved by the FDA in August 19, 2003. Levitra is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Cialis was the third PDE-5 inhibitor to come to market in the United States and was approved by the FDA at the end of November 21, 2003. Cialis is manufactured by Lilly ICOS LLC.

The major advantage of PDE-5 inhibitors is that they do not cause an erection at inappropriate times, because they act only in response to sexual stimulation. If there is no sexual stimulation drug remains in the background. All three are taken orally prior to planned sexual activity, acting to increase blood flow in the penis in response to sexual stimulation. However, there are important differences between the three, differences that could influence safety, specificity, duration of action, adverse effects, and ultimately, public acceptance within this class of drug. View this article.

PDE-5 Inhibitors - Reasons to use PDE-5 Inhibitors

Your choices for erectile dysfunction treatments are:

• Use a PDE-5 inhibitor (such as Sildenafil [Viagra], Tadalafil [Cialis], and Vardenafil [Levitra]).
• Try counseling or sex therapy.
• Seek other ways to express intimacy.
  

The decision about whether to use PDE-5 inhibitors takes into account your personal feelings and the medical facts.

Reasons to use PDE-5 Inhibitors Like Sildenafil [Viagra], Tadalafil [Cialis], and Vardenafil [Levitra]

• Easy and convenient to use
• Effective for many different causes, including erection problems resulting from diabetes, high blood pressure, spinal cord injury or other problems that affect nerve function, prostate surgery, side effects of medications, emotional or psychological causes, and unknown causes
• Enhanced self-esteem because of your ability to have intercourse
• Fulfills the need to show intimacy through sexual intercourse
• You want to have children.
• Are there other reasons you might want to use a PDE-5 inhibitor?

Reasons not to use PDE-5 Inhibitors Like Sildenafil [Viagra], Tadalafil [Cialis], and Vardenafil [Levitra]

• Cannot use them if taking any type of nitrate medication
• Ability to have intercourse usually does not solve relationship problems
• Lack of sexual spontaneity (with any medicine, you will need to plan ahead)
• Must be sexually excited for it to work
• Potentially dangerous for those with heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, angina, and heart failure, men who have low blood pressure, and those who take many different drugs for high blood pressure
• Potentially expensive, if insurance does not pay
• Side effects, including headache, facial flushing, indigestion, and nasal congestion
  

Are there other reasons you might not want to use a PDE-5 inhibitor?

For more information about Viagra, Cialis and Levitra visit Sexual-Dysfunction.co.uk

Erection Problems

What is an erection problem?

An erection problem (also called erectile dysfunction and sometimes impotence) refers to a man's consistent inability to get or maintain an erection sufficient to have satisfactory sex. It does not mean a lack of sexual interest or desire or the occasional difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection that affects all men at some time in their lives.

What causes an erection problem?

Physical Causes Are

• injury to the nerves or;
• loss of blood flow going to the penis
  

Psychological Causes Are:

• anxiety or depression
• depression.
  

Other Causes Are:

• Medications you take for other conditions
• alcohol consumption
• smoking, and
• illegal drug use can cause erection problems.
  

Certain conditions may affect blood flow or the nervous system, increasing the risk of having erection problems. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.

Erection problems can occur at any age but are more common in older men, who often have additional health problems or who may be taking medicines that can interfere with normal erectile function. Treatment of erection problems in older men can be as effective as in younger men.

Read About Erectile Dysfunction Treatment By Prescription Drugs.

PDE-5 Inhibitors For Erection Problems

Should I take PDE-5 Inhibitors?

There are a number of treatments for erection problems - erectile dysunfunction or impotence. But phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors), such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra), are generally tried first because of the success rate, ease of use, and convenience of these medicines. If you have already tried one of these medicines and it has not worked for you, see your health professional.

Consider the following when making your decision:

• PDE-5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil [Viagra], tadalafil [Cialis], and vardenafil [Levitra]) may not be an option if you have heart disease that may require you to take nitroglycerin or other medications containing nitrates.
• If you and your partner have decided that sexual intercourse is an important part of your relationship, you may want to use PDE-5 inhibitors. About 80% of the men who use PDE-5 inhibitors have an erection and successfully have intercourse.

The decision about whether to treat an erection problem is often based on your and your partner's preferences.

Sexual-Dysfunction.co.uk

Keep erection

Why Do You Fail To Keep An Erection?

Maybe you're just not in mood. Though you may think so if masturbation has become a habit, meaning you do it whether or not you're even horny. Note that it's bad to do that, don't do it everyday then. Do it only when you are so horny & ready to explode. It could be that you are just not stimulated.

If you're dealing with a lot of stress recently, or haven't been sleeping well, or are taking some sort of new medication, these are all things that could lower your interest. Just don't do it for a few days, and try again when you feel "up" for it. Just give yourself a little break.


If It Happens Everyday It's Symptom of Erectile dysfunction(ED) or Impotence

Patterns of erectile dysfunction consist of the symptoms given below:

• Irregular inability to obtain a full erection
• Inability to maintain an erection during intercourse
• Absolute inability to achieve an erection

Read more about erectile dysfunction treatment

About Erection - Detailed Information

Erection

is an enlargement, hardening, and elevation of the male reproductive organ-penis. Internally, the penis has three long masses of cylindrical tissue, known as erectile tissue, that are bound together by fibrous tissue.

The two identical areas running along the sides of the penis are termed corpora cavernosa; the third mass, known as the corpus spongiosum, lies below the corpora cavernosa, surrounds the urethra—(a tube that transports either urine or semen),—and extends forward to form the tip (or glans) of the penis. All three masses are sponge like; they contain large spaces between loose networks of tissue. When the penis is in a flaccid, or resting, state, the spaces are collapsed and the tissue is condensed. During erection, blood flows into the spaces, causing distention and elevation of the penis.

The amount of blood entering the penis can be increased by physical or psychological stimulation. As blood enters, there is a temporary reduction in the rate and volume of blood leaving the penis. The arteries carrying blood to the penis dilate; this, in turn, causes tissue expansion.


The veins leading from the penis have funnel-shaped valves that reduce the outflow of blood. As the erectile tissue begins to enlarge, the additional pressure causes the veins to be squeezed against the surrounding fibrous tissue, and this further diminishes the outflow of blood. Essentially, blood becomes temporarily trapped in the organ.

Read more about erection by Viagra

Can women take Viagra

Why women are not recommended to take Viagra or it's equivalent?

Viagra or a similar treatment for women, however, doesn't exist. Although women experiencing loss of sex function due to antidepressants may respond to Viagra, for most women simply addressing difficulties with arousal may not get to the actual problem — which is often a lack of sexual desire.

Generally, arousal problems in women can't be treated with a pill. Sildenafil (Viagra) is an oral medication for men to treat erectile dysfunction - the inability to maintain an erection long enough to have sex.

Viagra works by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes muscles in blood vessels of the penis. This increases blood flow and allows a man to have an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

What's difference?

Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the genital area. The penis and the clitoris are analogous organs. If the penis can become erect through Viagra, why can’t the clitoris? An erect clitoris is necessary for female orgasm, as it is for males. Thus, Viagra could conceivably work for women who are an orgasmic. There have been a few studies done recently on the use of Viagra in women, at this point it was concluded that Vigra could help women for an orgasm but it failed to give sexual arousal to women. Read following study for more detail.

Study and Results

A study just published this month in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" (JAMA) claims successful treatment of arousal and orgasm. This study was done on women only.

The study, an 8 week trial, included 98 women currently taking a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) anti-depressant medication. One-half took Viagra and the other half took a placebo. It showed that Viagra improved orgasm delay but not sexual desire, so will not help everyone. Viagra does have side effects, some of which can be very serious. No study is without bias. The number of women included is not a large number, so it is difficult to apply the results to the general population.

Also, the women's depression had to be in remission to be included in the study. So, was their sexual functioning improved because their depression was treated or was it because of the Viagra? Viagra needs to be taken one hour before sexual activity, so some feel that it reduces spontaneity.


Very common factors that can influence a woman's sexual desire

• Many women find that the stresses of daily life deplete their desire for sex.
  Highs and lows in sexual desire may coincide with the beginning or end of a relationship or major life changes, such as pregnancy or menopause.
  
• For some women, orgasm can be elusive — causing concerns or preoccupations that lead to a loss of interest in sex.
  
• Desire is often connected to a woman's sense of intimacy with her partner, as well as a reaction to current relationship frustrations and past experiences. Over time, psychological troubles can contribute to biological problems and vice versa.
  
• Some chronic conditions, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, can alter a woman's sexual-response cycle - causing discomfort during sex. Certain infections, such as yeast infections, can have the same effect.
  

If you're experiencing changes or difficulties with sexual function, consult your doctor. In some cases, hormones, creams, clitoral-stimulating products or other treatments may be helpful. These products don't work for everyone; however, women simply addressing difficulties with arousal may consult to their doctor for Intrinsa patches containing testosterone hormones. For more information on testosterone hormone patches visit www.sexual-dysfunction.co.uk