Do Steroids Cause Erectile Dysfunction

The quest for a particular type of achievement such as having big muscles, has led to the widespread abuse of steroids. Steroids are manmade substances and they help to increase testosterone production.

Much has been mentioned about the effects steroids have on the body. When taken in high amounts, steroids cause the testosterone level to fluctuate and this can lead to a number of sexual dysfunctions including erectile dysfunction. This is so because the body produces hormones similar to steroids in the reproductive organ of a man.

When steroids are used it tends to cause the body to stop producing the hormones and this will lead, in some men, to a temporary if not full loss of the ability to have and keep an erection.

Steroids are believed to have some degree of effect on sexual functioning and cause erectile dysfunction because:

As a man ages there is a reduction in the level of serum testosterone and this occurs mainly during the ages that erectile dysfunction is likely to occur.

When men who have no sex drive and no erections are treated with steroids under a doctor's supervision they usually regain most of their sexual functions.

Other evidence points to the fact that, when men have hypogonadism, there is a decrease in how often they have erections and the firmness of their erections.

There is also a reduction in the length of the penis when erect. When steroids are used for over a long period of time and in high doses this tends to cause hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

The length of time, the dosage, and the makeup of the steroid are key elements in the level of serum of hormones that stimulate the gonads present in the body. A slight reduction in the levels of gonadotropins can lead to erectile dysfunction.

When using steroids, there are a number of side effects that do great damage to the body. Steroids have the ability to seriously damage the body's organs including the reproductive organs.

Steroids can also cause high blood pressure when it is abused or used for too long a time. When this occurs men who use steroids are going to be at risk for erectile dysfunction since high blood pressure is a known cause. If steroids are used for a prolonged period then the high blood pressure can also lead to a stroke.

The longer the time a man uses steroids then the longer the relationship with erectile dysfunction will persist. Other factors will also help to determine the effects of steroid use and the occurrence of erectile dysfunction because of it. These factors include the man's body type, his age, and his overall health.

The side effects that are associated with using steroids make them an unattractive option for many men yet there are still others who are willing to take the risk.

Four Painful Penis Conditions that Merit a Trip to the ER

When pain strikes below the belt, panic seems like an appropriate response. It's a sensitive area that can bring a guy a significant amount of pleasure, so it makes sense to treat it tenderly and keep it healthy with proper penis care. Some penis pain conditions need more than a little TLC, however, meaning that some situations are best handled with the help of the emergency room. These are just four conditions that might fall into the category of a medical emergency.

Blunt Force Trauma

The penis can get struck by sports equipment, inattentive children or even gardening implements, and blows that do more than just graze the area can cause significant and long-lasting problems. Much of that risk has to do with penis anatomy.

The cells that line the penis are designed to fill up with blood in response to a sexual suggestion. When a blow hits that area, the empty space could be filled to the brim with blood and the swelling can be intense, and intensely painful. It also might not go away without the help of an expert. If a blow to the penis causes intense pain along with bleeding, bruising or deep swelling, it's time to head to the emergency room. The staff may need to stitch the area back together, or they may use ice or compression to keep the swelling from spreading.

Broken Penis

An erect penis, filled with blood, is firm and somewhat inflexible. If a man chooses to move in one direction while his organ is moving in another direction, the stiff fibers could just snap, and the pain can be intense. Any injury to an erect penis that's accompanied by a cracking or snapping sound, along with a change in the appearance of the penis, should be followed by an immediate trip to the emergency room. Surgery might be required to repair the damage, and a man with a broken penis might also need intense painkillers to help him handle the sensation.

Long-Lasting and Unwanted Erections

It might sound like a joke, but some men develop erections that last and last with no break, even when the man doesn't feel aroused or stimulated in any way. The organ just won't relax, even when the action is over and has been over for quite some time. Men who have erections that have lasted for four hours should visit an emergency room for advice. Sometimes, medications can be used to numb the response, but sometimes, medical professionals need to do intensive tests to determine why the erection persists and what can be done about it.

Inability to Urinate

Some painful penis conditions are accompanied by a persistent urge to urinate, and an inability to do so. This is a serious medical emergency, as a body that can't expel waste can simply shut down altogether. The penis pain might move into the kidneys in this situation, and the damage caused might be permanent. In a hospital, a man can undergo testing to determine the cause of the blockage, and he can get appropriate medical treatment to start the flow and prevent the damage. It's best to get that process started as quickly as possible.

Other Solutions

Some conditions aren't medical emergencies, but they can cause intense pain and suffering. Common penis complaints include:

    Chafing sores from rough clothing
    Temporary soreness from rough sex
    Transient pain from uncomfortable bike seats
    Sore skin from rough masturbation

While a visit to the doctor is never a bad idea when penis pain is involved, at-home care can help a man limp along until his appointment arrives. If the skin isn't open and bleeding, a penis health creme (most experts recommend Man1 Man Oil) could be a wonderful addition to home care. Products like this may soothe tender skin, softening the rough edges and allowing feelings of irritation to fade. These products can also nourish the skin, so it may be less vulnerable to pain in the future. 

What Is Healthy Sexuality?

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Healthy sexuality is often defined as the ability to take delight in and feel empowered by one's sexual feelings and interactions. Many experts in healthy sexuality believe sexual activity isn't limited to the activities that can occur before, during, or after sexual intercourse. Instead, they believe that sexual activity can encompass all activities that help to build an intimate relationship, where trust, respect and affection are shared. Healthy sex allows both partners to feel that they are freely consenting to any sexual interaction that may take place, and that each partner enjoys an equal measure of personal empowerment in the situation. Both partners should ideally enjoy mutual trust and respect, and both partners should feel safe emotionally and physically during the sexual interaction.

Many experts believe expressing healthy sexuality requires a deep level of trust, commitment, and communication between sexual partners. They often stress the building of a mutually respectful and comfortable relationship before sexual contact can be considered healthy. Even after boundaries of physical intimacy have been passed in a relationship, most experts recommend ongoing, honest communication to help both partners maintain a sense of safety and comfort with sexual contact.

Some kinds of sexual expression are considered unhealthy. Any sexual contact in which one partner fears dangerous or unpleasant consequences could be considered unhealthy. These consequences could be physical, such as unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease, or they could be emotional, such as the fear of betrayal. Persons who are forced into sexual activity often suffer severe emotional damage in the aftermath. The expression of healthy sexuality generally requires that both sexual partners feel safe.

Other unhealthy ideas about sex could include ideas that sex is shameful, wrong, or dirty. Experts typically believe that healthy sexuality depends largely on the belief that sexual feelings and needs are normal, natural, healthy, and even empowering. Healthy sexuality is generally considered a means of expressing love and affection. Experts believe that healthy sexual expression can help support self-esteem, individual boundaries, and ethical values.
Abusive sexual behavior is another type of unhealthy sexuality. It is often classified as sexual behavior intended to control or harm another. Healthy sexuality, by contrast, typically allows both partners to give or withdraw consent to any sexual activities, before or after sexual interaction has begun.

Myths And Facts About Viagra. Part Two.

We continue to reveal myths about Viagra. Check out Part One. 

Myth. Viagra may really help only to males who has serious problems with erection
Fact. Certainly no. Viagra may effectively help both to those whose degree and causes are insignificant and to those whose problems are much complicated. You may use Viagra even if problems occur from time to time.

Myth. Man does not need Viagra if erection in him appears every time but it can hardly be maintained
Fact. The action of Viagra is aimed not only to cause the erection but also to maintain it. The drug helps to avoid problems with erection in the beginning and during sexual intercourse.

Myth. Viagra is ineffective. I tried it and it does not work.
Fact. Do not forget that Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is a drug, therefore it is necessary to consult a doctor before taking Viagra. Causes of pill ineffectiveness may be different – for example, the dose was too small for you, or you ate too much food before Viagra intake (big amount of food slows down process of absorption of active ingredients into stomach walls) or you got insufficient stimulation. In order to take Viagra you should get a prescription from doctor along with his recommendations. You should necessarily follow all of them! This will help you to get maximum effects from the drug. However, if your partner is not sexually attractive for you, the erection will not occur. Viagra does not create artificial sex drive and erection. Therefore, formula for success is doctor's recommendations and a sexually attractive partner.

Myth. If I take Viagra, then at once occurs erection. What to do?
Fact. Probably this myth is most awkward. Certainly, this will not occur. Viagra is not a blind stimulant. To make drug start working there is a need for natural foreplay, kisses, touching. During such stimulation Viagra just increases blood flow into penis. Thus occurs a natural erection.

Myths And Facts About Viagra. Part One.

 Today Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is probably the most famous drug in the world. Moreover, about it know people who never needed it. Many people heard about Viagra but few know facts about it. This article would help you to reveal myths and truth about Viagra.

Myth. Erectile dysfunction depends mostly on psychological stare and expectations of male
Fact. We would really appreciate if this problem could be solved with heart-to-heart talks with sexual health specialist. However, clinical tests show that major erectile dysfunction causes are physical problems such as diabetes, elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol level and other. Stress may also cause erectile dysfunction. If you experience primary signs of erectile dysfunction, you should refuse from smoking and alcohol because bad habits do aggravate the disease.

Myth. Why I need Viagra if problems with sexual life do occur rarely and erectile dysfunction is just a medical term for me.
Fact. It is wrong to think that rare problems are not problems. You should know that even temporal deviation from the norm are named erectile dysfunction. In reality, 2 to 5 males from 10 sufferers do really have problems with erection. Viagra helps to not think every time about quality of erection, it guarantees appearing of firm erection in both cases when problems are temporal and permanent. More than 20 million of males have already tested the quality of Viagra and are happy with the results.

Myth. I think that it is possible to go with  erectile dysfunction
Fact. Why to go with drawbacks that may be removed? Why miss out on pleasures, feeling of joy and feeling yourself as a fully healthy man? Many males think that erectile dysfunction is an indispensable phenomenon when aging. However, erectile dysfunction is a disease. It not only may be treated but it must be treated! Viagra helps males to prolong period of active sexual life and bring back self-confidence. Do not invent age-related diseases and do not deprive yourself from sexual  pleasures.

To be continued. 

What Causes Erection Problems

Depression
Sexual arousal starts in the head and then goes below. Depression may lower your desire and lead to erectile dysfunction (impotence). By a twist of fate, many drugs for depression treatment inhibit sexual desire and aggravates erection.

Alcohol
Consumption of alcohol may prevent erection appearing but this has temporal character. The good news is that moderate consumption of alcohol reduces risks for cardiovascular development but the excess of alcohol causes the development of erectile dysfunction.

Drugs
Excessive consumption of drugs, including blood pressure normalization drugs, pain relief drugs and antidepressants, causes erectile dysfunction. Narcotic substances such as amphetamines, cocaine and marijuana do provoke sexual problems in men.

Stress
Stress has negative effects on human body including male penis. In order to get rid of stress you should change your lifestyle. You should make sport and consult a specialist when needed.

Anger
Anger makes blood flow into face. When you intend to make sex the face is not right place where the blood should flow. Besides this, how can you think about romance when you are angry and here is not important who caused your anger – your partner or someone else.

Anxiety
Permanent anxiety and fear of failure in bed only aggravate the situation. Anxiety has negative effects on sexual life. Fear and escape from sex caused by anxiety put at threat not only your sexual life but generally your relationship.

Obesity
Excess kilograms may affect your sexual life not because of lowering of self-esteem. In obese men is produced less testosterone which plays important role in process of sexual arousal and erection. Excess weight is connected with high blood pressure which leads to reduction of blood flow into penis. 

Low libido
Low libido is not the same as erectile dysfunction but it may have alike signs. Low libido prevents erection and reduces interest for sex. Low libido may be caused by anxiety, stress, low self-esteem and some drugs.

How to solve erection problems?
Many men feel uncomfortable to tell doctor about their sexual problems but this is the best way to get necessary help and restore sexual relationship with your partner. Doctor would establish exactly the cause and provide ways to solve the problem. 

Premature Ejaculation Causes

Most common psychological cause of ejaculation problems is sexual overexcitement. Most frequently it occurs in young men who just have started their sexual life but from time to time it may occur in experienced men. Excessive excitement is connected with tension increase in section of cerebral cortex responding for sexual function. That is why occurs premature ejaculation and orgasm.

Much rarely meets such factor as fear of sexual intercourse that causes premature ejaculation. For instance, sexual intercourse occurs in an unconventional place (in a country-house, in a car, in parent's bedroom). In this case a male on the subconscious level tries to finish as quickly as possible and thus in him occurs premature ejaculation. It should be mentioned that fear of sexual intercourse occurs mostly in young men, therefore in this situation rarely is possible to follow up causes of sexual dysfunction.

In most cases problems with premature ejaculation connected with psychological specific features in a male go away with time. Sometimes the disorder may aggravate thus making man refuse from sexual life in future. Often premature ejaculation is accompanied with erectile dysfunction.

In case it is impossible to solve psychological problems independently and they do not go away with time, male should consult a psychologist who specializes on such disorders. Also key role plays women's attitude who must help her male. A tender and careful partner may help much better than a professional.

Distinctive Features of Ejaculation Disorder Connected With Psychological Problems

 - beginning of sexual life
 - irregular sex life during which are alternated periods of high activity with long-term abstinence
 - duration of sexual intercourse may be different
 - with different partners intercourse occurs differently and lasts different period of time
 - frequently after first intercourse it is impossible to continue intimate interaction due to lack of normal erection
 - problems with ejaculation often do intercept with erectile dysfunction
 - it is possible to prolong sexual intercourse from time to time mentally switching to abstractive themes, often unpleasant. Sometimes this way to abstract from reality leads to erection disappearing.
 - alcoholic drinks help to relax but they delay ejaculation.

Men's Health

It is considered that men's health is about andrology and urology, but in fact the issue is much broader.

Testosterone is a hormone which makes a man. Testosterone in male body works on male genitalia, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, epididymis, penis; activates metabolism of fats, proteins, cholesterol, microelements; normalizes spermatogenesis, stimulates sexual manifestations and other processes.

Testosterone mainly has its effects on formation and activation of male libido, sexual arousal and also intensity of orgasm. With age (starting from 30 years old) in male body testosterone level decreases. At this time, do start problems with health, muscles stop growing, and instead, grows belly and do appear wrinkles.

Testosterone deficiency has negative effects on almost all organs and systems in male body. Testosterone is called “hormone of happiness” and its deficiency affects not only physical and emotional condition of a male – he experiences bad mood, depressions and unmotivated pessimism. Also, gradually decreases the ability for intellectual thinking along with working ability and physical endurance, and besides this, sexual activity lowers.

Most men note symptoms of sexual disorder such as erectile dysfunction. Most often men think it is sign of male weakness or the result of aging. However, in fact, erectile dysfunction is the result of vessel walls disorder in the whole male body and not only in penis. Major changes occur in next systems: cardiovascular, urogenital, central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and skin. Coronary disease signs show that it is primary stage of circulation disorder not only in pelvic organs but also in whole cardiovascular system and other organs. Unfortunately, usually patients seek doctor's advice quite late.

What symptoms should put you on the alert?

• excessive sweatiness
• frequent palpitation
• easy fatigability
• disturbance of memory
• production loss
• sleeping disorder
• hair loss
• wrinkles
• sexual activity lowering

It is very important to stop timely testosterone level drop in order to slow down developing damage of vessels. You should see doctors (andrologist, cardiologist) regularly for preventive examinations.

Solve Your Potency Problems

Traditionally, it is considered that each earnest male should have in his life three reliable people: book-keeper, priest and medical adviser. It is useful to have personal dentist and cardiologist.

However, male who wants to keep his sexual activity for a long time, should have in his life reliable urologist and andrologist. Even if male over 40 years old experiences no symptoms of erectile dysfunction, he must undergo regular examinations.

Specialists would detect changes in prostate gland at time and eliminate starting problems with potency. It is well known fact that prevention is better than cure.

Meanwhile, the statistics is quite sad – only 10% males with sexual problems ask doctor;s advice. The rest 90% put an end to their personal life, or consume big amounts of stimulating pills instead of beginning to repair their health.

The causes of erectile dysfunction in males are extremely different, therefore, the only reliable way to solve the problem is to undergo complex examination – it is necessary to see a cardiologist, neurologist, urologist, endocrinologist, andrologist and psychotherapist.

When you observe first signs of erectile dysfunction problems you should immediately see the doctor and undergo all necessary examinations!

Potency Problems

Some men think that potency problems are connected only with penis. In fact, everything is more complicated. Erectile dysfunction is not a disease, but a complication of existing ones. It is impossible that an absolutely healthy male became impotent.

Male sexual drive reflects everything occurring in the male body: hormonal shifts, misperfusion, breaks in nervous system, psychological problems. It is considered that sexual problems in males under 40 are psychological, and in males over 40 those problems are connected with blood vessels.

Andrologists say that genetically in each male is put a great sexual potential, so called 15-fold strength reserve. In other words, each male is able to satisfy 15 women and exactly that helped humanity to survive. Unfortunately, today males have a contemptuous attitude towards their sexual reserves and as a result some males lose it by 60 years old

What lowers male sex drive?
1. Irregular sex life, especially after 30 years. As other organs, genitalia also needs “training”. Popular theories about sexual abstinence, which thought to improve potency, turned to be wrong. Multiple studies showed that regular sex improves quality and quantity of sperm cells, and also improves potency.
2. Repeated sexually transmitted infections. Though modern antibiotics help to get rid of gonorrhea and syphillis just in a week, however those infections reduce male potency.
3. Untreated or incorrectly treated diseases of male reproductive organs: urethritis, prostatitis, vesiculitis, epididymoorchitis, orchitis, etc.

Other factors leading to potency lowering:

• ischemic heart disease
• hypertension
• endocrine disorders
• diabetes
• adenoma
• psychoneurology diseases
• some medications
• drugs, smoking, alcohol
• sedentary lifestyle
• stress
• poor ecology
• unhealthy diet
• poor sleeping

Secrets Of Male Sex Drive

Scottish scientists discovered that men who make sex not less than three times a week look 10 years younger than those who make sex 1 – 2 times a week. Scientists say that frequency of sexual life 75% depends on habit and just 25% on genetics. Today sex must be useful habit for everyone.

Feed your potency. Consume food with vitamins E and A for reproduction, vitamin B complex, which strengthen neurility of impulses through nerves helping to feel more strong.

Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants which help to widen vessels and improve blood flow into penis. In California was made an experiment in which participated 50 males from 21 to 70 years who had problems with erection. Each day participants drank pomegranate juice within a month. When the experiment has finished they said that their sexual life has improved significantly.

In Great Britain and Germany scientists learnt men to dance and discovered that hips jiggle like Elvis Presley improves potency. While dancing blood actively flows into penis. Dancing is the same effective as modern impotence medications.

Eating daily 100g of black chocolate helps to improve blood flow into penis and increases libido.

Strawberries and raspberries are best attributes of a romantic evening. Those berries are rich with zinc which participates actively in synthesis of testosterone.

Some time ago for potency improvement were used drugs containing prostaglandins of E group. Erection occured independently of desire and could last too long. Drugs of new generation (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) provide much mild effect – their effect lasts at average 4 hours.

Erection also depends on muscles. Go to the gym regularly - physical strength and endurance improve potency and male libido.

Most higher male social status is – the most active he is in sexual life. Promotion increases potency but sudden breakaway decreases it.

When you feel you have potency problems, you must:
1. make blood test on sugar
2. check testosterone rate and make PSA test
3. make electrocardiogram of heart and ultrasound investigation of prostate gland
4. measure blood pressure in penis

Types Of Sexual Impotence

1) Organic impotence is described as progressive loss of erectile function that shows with lowering  of erection quality. In organic genesis of disease patient not experiences night and morning automatic erections. Most frequent causes are various vascular pathologies of arterial or venous nature.

Studies showed that in healthy males during their sleep do normally occur 4 - 6 erections lasting 10 – 15 minutes. Total duration of automatic erections is half hour or 20% of all sleeping time. Also it is noted that with aging not all night automatic erections are followed by rigidity and the number of erections with low rigidity dramatically increases.

Symptoms of organic impotence:
- slow onset
- night automatic erections are laking
- normal libido and ejaculations
- problems in any situations

2) Psychological impotence occurs suddenly and usually is connected with particular events in life. Here are kept morning and night erections. Erection often is initiated by visual stimulation or erotic fantasies.

Symptoms of psychological impotence:
- sudden onset
- night automatic erections are kept
- relationship problems
- problems in particular situations

How to avoid impotence?
In order to avoid development of impotence (erectile dysfunction) it is necessary to follow next recommendations:
1. you should maintain healthy lifestyle, have regular meals, take exercises, look after your health;
2. do not abuse your health with smoking, drugs, alcohol;
3. do not use medications that may cause erectile disorders, use such medications only by prescriptions and follow strictly the instruction;
4. have regular sex without long periods of abstinence;
5. it is necessary to consult urologist if you have gotten an injury in pelvic area or crotch;
6. say to your doctor if you suffer from diabetes or hypertension.

What Is Impotence?

Impotence (also called erectile dysfunction) is male inability to achieve and maintain erection during sexual intercourse. Impotence occurs in 40% of males aged 35 – 40. Most males are ashamed to go to the urologist with this problem. However, weak erection or loss of erection during intercourse is a reason to see the doctor.

Impotence causes:
1) inflammatory diseases of urogenital system (prostatitis, epididymoorchitis, cystitis)
2) insufficient arterial blood flow in penis
3) diabetes
4) hormonal disorders
5) various spinal injuries
6) penis injury
7) operations on pelvic organs
8 ) medications
9) depression, stress

As you see, impotence may be caused by vascular, neurologic, endocrine and topical causes which mostly refer to organic form of erectile dysfunction. Most frequently occurs impotence caused by psychological problems.

Almost always erection problems caused by organic factors are followed by psychologistic component which may be not vanished even after removal of key impotence cause. Male reluctance to see the doctor in case of impotence is a great problem for the doctors in the entire world because males feel ashamed to discuss this problem with someone.  However, modern medicine may solve impotence problem.

Any measure directed at improvement and normalization of body functions may be considered as a remedy for erectile dysfunction. That is why along with therapeutic intervention often are used physiotherapy, and laser therapy.

Questions About Impotence. Part Two.

What side effects have Viagra, Cialis and Levitra?
Like other medications, all those medications have side effects. Levitra may cause headaches, flushes, stuffiness in nose and running nose. Viagra may cause headache, intense blush on the face, indigestion, problems with vision (wrong color perception, object diffusion), and high light hypersensitivity. Cialis may provoke headache, muscle pain, back pain,  indigestion,  stuffiness in nose and running nose. As a rule, side effects disappear in several hours. Back and muscle pains disappear in 48 hours.

Quite rarely may occur vision disorders (seeing objects in blue color or difficulties in distinguishing blue and green colors when taking Cialis and Levitra). Viagra rarely causes such side effects.  In case of sudden loss of vision in one or in both eyes, it is necessary to stop taking the medicine and address to the doctor immediately. The problem may be connected with a disease in which blood supply of optic nerve is blocked.

In very rare cases those three medications cause priapism – a condition characterized with firm erection. If erection lasts for a long time, you should address to the doctor. Erection that lasts more than 6 hours may lead to severe complications including problems with erection in future.

How those drugs should be taken?
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are released in form of tablets. The exact dosage for you will prescribe your doctor. No more than one tablet a day should be taken.

May Viagra, Levitra and Cialis be taken with a meal?
Taking those medications does not depend on the meal because absorbing of active substances is the same in any external conditions.

Are Viagra, Levitra and Cialis effective just in severe forms of erectile dysfunctions?
No. Those medications are equally effective in treating moderate and severe forms of erectile dysfunction. With their help are treated permanent and episodic problems.

Are there any age restrictions?
No. Those medications can be taken by men of all ages. It has no influence on the effectiveness. From erectile dysfunctions do suffer not only aged men, but also young men as well.

May I take Viagra, Levitra and Cialis if I am diseased with diabetes or hypertonia?
Erectile dysfunction medications are considered effective and safe. However, you should never take those medications together with drugs containing nitrate. Acting together, they drastically do lower blood pressure and may cause stroke and heart attack. You should consult your doctor if you are taking alpha-blockers – medications for blood pressure lowering and drugs treating prostatic hyperplasia. Also you need to consult your doctor if you have such diseases as ischemic heart disease, heart failure and hypotension or are taking medications that raise pressure.

Are Viagra, Levitra and Cialis protecting from sexually transmitted diseases?
No. Those medications do not protect from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. The only way of protection here is condom and limiting of different sexual partners.

Will be erection occurred by itself after taking those medications?
No. Sexual stimulation is needed.

Questions About Impotence

How should I know if I have erectile dysfunction (impotence)? When should I go to the doctor?

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the lack of arousal or having erection insufficient for finishing sex. It is usually caused by different diseases (hypertonia, diabetes), or as a result of taking some medications (antidepressants, hypotensive drugs, antihistaminic medications, tranquilizing drugs, drugs that suppress appetite). At he beginning of the treatment antidepressants may increase the risk of suicide and even deepen the depression. At the same time depression, stress and anxiety also lead to sexual dysfunctions.

However, there is no need to despair, because you are not alone. With the great amount of information available today, more men with erectile dysfunction began to see a doctor. First of all they are interested in three drugs: Viagra (Sildenafil), Levitra (Vardenafil) and Cialis (Tadalafil). Therefore, if you have problems with erection, you should go to the doctor. In most cases erectile dysfunction can be cured.

How much effective are those medications?
They are very effective. They do increase erection making it sufficient for a normal intercourse. After intercourse erection disappears. However, remember that the effectiveness of those drugs depends on  your major cause of erectile dysfunction. Chronic disease such as diabetes has a great influence on the results of the treatment.

What is the difference between those medications?
There are not great differences between them. Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are the class of PDE5 inhibitor receptor drugs. All medications of this class do act practically the same – erection appears only in case of sexual stimulation. Arousal makes brain send signals about the necessity of nitrogen oxide production to the body. This substance relaxes the unstriated muscles and improves blood circulation to the penis and makes erection. All medications mentioned above help in  nitrogen oxide production.

They do differ just in time of acting. Doctors do recommend to take Viagra and Levitra
30-60 minutes before intercourse and Cialis 30 minutes before intercource. The duration of effect of Vigra and Levitra lasts approximately 4 hours, and Cialis from 24 to 36 hours.

Whom are these medications contraindicated?
Viagra, Levitra and Cialis are contraindicated for men who are taking medications containing nitrate (for example, nitroglycerin that is taken when heart pains). Taking those medications simultaneously may lead to the harsh lowering of blood pressure. For the same reason it is contraindicated taking the combination of medications with alpha-blockers used for the treatment of hypertonia and Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Incorrect combination of medications may cause giddiness, fantness, and even heart attack or stroke. Remember that taking following medications may cause erection problems: antidepressants, hypotensive, antihistaminic medications, tranquilizing drugs, drugs that suppress appetite.

Do not take erectile dysfunction medications if sexual activity is contradicted to you. The effectiveness of those medications in treating of sexual dysfunction in women was not proven yet (although there was made Viagra researches in this field).

Erectile Dysfunction: What To Do?

More often men do not wake up during night ejaculations. Therefore, to find out if you have them or not you could need to perform special test. If you do not have night erection, doctor may search possible medical causes for that, starting from medications you take.

Viagra (Sildenafil) initially was created to treat ischemic heart disease, but during clinical tests patients noticed erection appearing. Besides Viagra there are also two medications: Levitra (Vardenafil) and Cialis (Tadalafil). Those three medications increase blood flow into penis and maintain erection enough for sexual intercourse. The effect of Viagra and Levitra appears in 1-2 hours after their taking. Thanks to Viagra, four in five patients get their sexual functions improved. The effect of Cialis keeps for 36 hours. To make those medications work, there is a need of sexual stimulation. Those medications have next side effects: headache, cold, indigestion.

After sexual intercourse occurs blood outflow from penis, and penis comes back in normal condition. Levitra improves erection in 85% of males. This medication helps to improve potency in diabetics and in those who has undergone operation on prostate gland. The medications are contraindicated for people with significant heart diseases, and also for people taking drugs containing nitrates and alpa-blockers. Acting one with another, those medications may provoke sudden lowering of blood pressure. Medications improving potency are dangerous for men who suffer from coronary heart disease, heart failure, and hypotension.

Before appearing on the market of medications mentioned above, the problem of erectile dysfunction was solved with the usage of injections which were made into penis before sexual intercourse. This method is still used today. In case of right usage, it is a quite effective procedure. Sometimes such injections and other medications do cause priapism (steady long-lasting erection). So they should be used attentively.

Erection may be kept with mechanic devises such as vacuum pumps assuring blood flow into penis, or rubber seals drawing on penis head and preventing blood outflow from penis.
Finally, special devises may be inserted surgically into penis. Those semirigid structures are quite firm for sexual intercourse but they are quite flexible to remain invisible underwear.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is a condition when penis gets erected incompletely. Term “erectile dysfunction” is used to describe full erection inability, erection instability or ability to short erections.

In other words, erectile dysfunction is a persistent inability to get erection, necessary for a normal intercourse. Erection is a difficult process in which are involved emotions, circulatory system and three independent parts of nervous system.

How much dangerous is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction usually signalizes about serious disorders in the body.

Erectile dysfunction causes
There are many causes of erectile dysfunction, which can be divided into six groups;
1. Psychological. As specialists say, in 10-20% of cases of erectile dysfunction play role such psychological factors as stress, anxiety, feeling of guilt, depression, low self-esteem and failure in the bed.
2. Taking medications. Smoking, alcohol and taking drugs leads to hypoactive desire. Taking different medications such as antidepressants, ataraxics, allergy medicines, blood pressure lowering medications may negatively influence on erection.. Ask your doctor if there are such medications among medications you take.
3. Vascular diseases, blood circulation disorder. In atherosclerosis, the artery walls become less elastic. This can lead not just to heart attacks and blood-stroke, but also to problems with blood supply in penis.
4. Neurological diseases. On human nervous system can have negative influence diabetes, traumas, spinal cord diseases, prostate gland operations.
5. Endocrine problems. The level of testosterone can be lowered because of endocrine disorders and other diseases, for example, because of liver cirrhosis.
6. Penis traumas or penis diseases. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by Peyronie's disease or priapism. In the first case, for some unknown reason, occurs proliferation of tissues of penis and as a result penis deformation. Priapism is a long erection, little by little getting down sexual function. One more reason for priapism development are injections increasing erection. In case of appearing of painful erection immediately go to the doctor.

Diagnostics
Feeling of displeasure with erection is a reason to undergo medical examination which will help to reveal possible causes of erectile dysfunction. Many men have erection during sleep. If night erections do exist for a long time then emotional causes are excluded.

Hypogonadism is One of Testosterone Lowering Causes

Hypoactive desire can be one of many symptoms of testosterone lowering. In older age this lowering is natural. But it can be caused by some diseases, medicines and fatness. Visual signs often are not clear. To find out if you really have low testosterone, you should make blood analysis.

Insufficient production of testosterone is called hypogonadism. Symptoms:

• tiredness
• difficulty concentration
• depression
• hot flashes
• osteoporosis

Testosterone is a hormone responding for manhood reflex, so next symptoms can point at the testosterone lowering:

• erectile dysfunction


• loss of facial and body hair-covering


• slight increase size of breasts


• infertility


• muscle loss

Hypogonadism can be inherent or acquired. It can be resulted from orchiopathy or dysfunction of brain which stops transfer signals to testes about necessity of testosterone production.  Also it can have the next causes:
-genetic abnormalities (Klinefelter syndrome) – presence of extra X chromosome in male. It causes testicular insufficience and low testosterone in blood.
- cryptorchism
- diseases of hypothalamus and hypophysis – organs controlling production and level of testosterone. This can appear when cancer, trauma, inflammatory processes or autoimmune diseases.
- trauma or inflammatory processes of testes
- diabetes
- testis cancer and its treatment
- dysfunction of liver and nephros
- thyroid gland diseases
- high concentration of ferrum in organism (hemosiderosis)
- fatness
- alcoholism after-effect
- admission of some medicines:

• some kinds of corticosteroids


• antifugnal drugs


• some kinds of diuretic and antiepileptic drugs


• immunosuppressant drugs

Hypogonadism treatment depends on the main cause of that disease. Sometimes it is necessary to use testosterone therapy in form of injections, plaster or gel. Side effects of such therapy is prostatic hyperplasia, infertility and sleeping difficulties. If you think you have hypogonadism, you should visit a doctor, and if necessary you should test the level of testosterone in your blood.