Erectile Dysfunction

Why do men experience erectile dysfunction ?

There are a number of risk factors that make it more likely that you will experience erectile dysfunction. These include health conditions such as:

• alcohol misuse (alcoholism)
• cardiovascular disease
• high cholesterol
• hyperglycemia (high blood sugar, which characterizes diabetes)
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• obesity
• stress

There are also some lifestyle choices that are linked to ED. These include:

• inactivity
• smoking
• use of recreational drugs

What are the physical causes of erectile dysfunction?

There are several different causes of ED.

ED can be the result of an injury to the penis (mechanical or end-organ erectile dysfunction). There is a condition called Peyronie’s disease where scar tissue affects the shape of the penis and makes it painful to have an erection.

ED can also be caused by venous leak . This is where the muscles that trap blood in the penis to maintain an erection cannot contract and expand properly so the blood leaks out.

Arterial disease can damage the blood vessels that supply the penis causing ED. This is known as vasogenic ED .

Sometimes ED is neurogenic. This is where the nerves that carry messages between the brain and penis are damaged by injury or disease. The nerve damage that causes ED can be in the brain, the spinal cord or the pelvis.

ED can be a side-effect of some medications you are taking for another condition. Examples of meds that may cause erectile dysfunction include: antidepressants including sertraline and paroxetine, estrogens, opioids, drugs for anxiety like diazepam and diuretics.

ED can be caused by a lower-than-normal level of the hormone testosterone. A blood test will pick this up.

What are the mental causes of erectile dysfunction?

Sometimes ED is psychogenic, where mental state, tiredness and stress levels makes it harder to keep an erection. If you have psychogenic ED, you may be able to get an erection in some circumstances (for example during masturbation) but not with your sexual partner.

ED can be a symptom of mental ill-health: it can happen if you have depression or an anxiety disorder. Getting treatment for depression or anxiety may resolve erectile dysfunction.

What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction ?

Men often notice that they find it slightly more difficult than usual to get an erection, or that their erect penis is not as hard as expected. This gets worse over time until it is not possible to keep an erection that is hard enough for sexual activity. If after a few weeks you are still finding it difficult to get and maintain an erection, make an appointment with your doctor, a urologist or a men’s health specialist.

How does a doctor diagnose erectile dysfunction ?

Doctors diagnose ED by asking you about your symptoms, examining you, and running some tests. They will ask questions about your lifestyle, too, and your general health.

In investigating ED, a doctor will look at your cardiovascular health by measuring your blood pressure and listening to your heart.

If you have problems urinating as well as ED, your doctor will want to examine your prostate, too.

What to do if you think you have erectile dysfunction

See your GP if you have had problems getting or maintaining an erection and it has been a few weeks since the problem started. Your GP can also help if you can get an erection sometimes (like on waking or during masturbation), but not with your partner.

You might feel ashamed or embarrassed asking a doctor about erectile dysfunction, but it’s important to get it checked out as it can be a symptom of several medical conditions, and sexual activity is important to general feelings of wellbeing.

You should see your GP about erectile dysfunction, and you can ask to see a male doctor if you prefer. You could also make an appointment with a urologist or a men’s health specialist.

It’s important to talk with your sexual partner about ED, as you will need their support to cope with and manage this condition.

How can I help my partner with erectile dysfunction?

The best way to help your partner cope with their ED is to talk to them about it, and let them know you support them. Encourage them to see their GP, as it’s important to get ED evaluated. Be open to different erectile dysfunction management strategies and to kinds of sexual activity that are new to you.

What should I do if I think my medication is stopping me from getting an erection?

If you suspect that your ED is a side-effect of medication you are taking for another condition, for example anxiety or depression, it’s important that you do not stop taking your meds. Ask the doctor who is treating you for advice about managing your ED alongside any other health conditions you have.

They may be able to swap you to a medication that you can tolerate better, or prescribe a medication to prevent ED, or suggest different ways of taking your meds that will reduce the impact on your sexual activity and wellbeing.

Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, increased activity levels or reduced stress may allow you to manage your condition without the meds that are causing your ED. But do not try to do this without supervision from the prescribing doctor. Ask for advice before starting any diet or fitness program.

How will a doctor treat my erectile dysfunction ?

Doctors treat ED by working out the root cause – which might be physical or psychological – and treating that. Treatments for ED are improving all the time, and most men who get medical help for it can have sex again one way or another.

Talking therapy for psychogenic ED

If your ED is psychogenic, your doctor may recommend talking therapy first. Improving your mental health and learning skills to help you cope with stress will help your ED.

Medication for erectile dysfunction

Your doctor will prescribe meds for ED if lifestyle changes has not helped and the root causes cannot be treated.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors work on a particular enzyme so that more blood can flow into the penis. You take phosphodiesterase inhibitors before sex and they cause an erection following sexual stimulation. Examples of phosphodiesterase inhibitors are: sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil. Meds for erectile dysfunction are available in different formats so that their effects last for a longer or shorter time as required. There are even ED pills that you can take daily for maximum spontaneity.

Prostaglandins

Prostaglandins like Alprostadil need to be injected into the penis or administered as a tablet inserted into the urethra. This causes an erection that lasts about an hour. You will have to adjust the dose under the supervision of your doctor, as too much Alprostadil can cause an erection that won’t go down. This condition, known as priapism, is a medical emergency, as it can be very painful and may result in permanent damage to the penis.

Testosterone for erectile dysfunction

Sometimes ED is caused by a specific disorder that reduces the amount of testosterone in the blood. Supplementing with the hormone testosterone may improve ED with this root cause.

How do I get medications for erectile dysfunction ?

There are no over-the-counter meds available for ED in Canada. The safest way to access effective, good quality drugs to treat ED is to consult your GP, a urologist or a men’s health specialist. They assess the cause of your erectile dysfunction and write a prescription for a medication that will help. You then fill this prescription at a licensed pharmacy to obtain your meds.

In Canada you can depend on NX Pharmacies for your erectile dysfunction meds. We serve all areas of Canada and can fill your prescription of erectile dysfunction medication. We can help with renewals and refills. Our discretion is assured, and you can depend on us for authentic Health Canada-approved medications.

Even if you’ve been successfully managing your erectile dysfunction for years, you can still benefit from the support of a doctor or pharmacist.

If something changes with your erectile dysfunction , talk to your GP. And if your meds stop working, or you start to get uncomfortable side-effects, ask for a medicines review. Your pharmacist may also be able to advise on managing side-effects of your erectile dysfunction meds.

Vacuum therapy for ED

A vacuum device, which can be purchased over-the-counter, can also be used to induce and maintain an erection. The penis is placed in a tube, forming a seal at the base. You can then pump air out of the tube and the negative pressure draws blood into the penis. You then trap the blood in the penis with a silicone band.

Can I treat my erectile dysfunction with a vacuum pump bought over-the-counter?

Using a vacuum pump to resolve your erectile dysfunction is possible – but if you do have erectile dysfunction, it’s best to get it checked by your doctor. This is because ED can be a sign of another condition such as cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.

Penile implant surgery

Penile implant surgery may be suitable for resolving some cases of ED. Talk with your doctor about this option.

How to manage erectile dysfunction with lifestyle changes

Your GP may recommend some lifestyle changes to alleviate your erectile dysfunction . Many of these lifestyle changes, such as increasing your activity levels, eating a more healthy diet and reducing your intake of tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs, will improve your general wellbeing as well as helping erectile dysfunction.

Ask for support if you need help with quitting addictive substances, starting an exercise program or improving your diet.

Stop smoking to alleviate erectile dysfunction symptoms

Smoking can cause health problems that are linked to ED, for example damage to blood vessels. Smoking cessation is difficult, but support is available if you need it. Your GP will be pleased to help with advice and support – if you are ready to quit smoking, just ask for help.

Keep your weight within healthy limits to manage erectile dysfunction

Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise may improve your sexual performance. Weight management is an important component in controlling other conditions, such as diabetes, which may also contribute to ED.

Start an exercise habit to manage erectile dysfunction

Regular exercise will improve your wellbeing and help you to cope better with stress. This may alleviate erectile dysfunction that has a psychological cause. An exercise habit will also help you to keep your weight within healthy limits.

Although cycling is a healthy activity, cycling a lot (more than three hours a week) may cause ED, according to some doctors. You may wish to try reducing the number of hours you spend on the bike for a time to see if that helps your ED.

Reduce your drinking to manage ED

Heavy drinking is notorious for causing erectile dysfunction and impotence. Cutting down your alcohol intake may help you return to normal sexual function. Talk to your GP about how much you are drinking, even if you don’t think you have an alcohol problem. If you need support with cutting back your alcohol intake, your GP can help.

Avoid recreational drugs if you have ED

Cannabis use is linked to ED. Consider quitting for a time to see if it improves matters.

Reduce stress to help erectile dysfunction

High levels of stress can make it hard to get or maintain an erection. To reduce stress, talk about what is putting pressure on you with a friend, your partner or a family member. You can get counselling and coaching to help with skills like time management and planning. And there are breathing exercises you can learn. Also, other lifestyle changes – particularly increasing activity levels if you are inactive – can reduce stress levels, too.