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A
to Z Glossary of Dealing with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) |
A
is for ...Anxiety Understandably, erectile dysfunction triggers profound
anxiety in men and their partners. Fear that the condition is psychological, that
its a reflection of a man's sexual health and ability and that treatment is unavailable
or painful -- have kept many men with erectile dysfunction worldwide from seeking
help. A critical first step in relieving these fears and the overwhelming anxiety
that can accompany them is discussing the problem with a doctor. Finding out that
he is not alone and that treatments are available, can begin to restore a man's
confidence and relieve his anxieties. B is for ...Barriers
With increased understanding of the importance of male sexual health, doctors
now recommend men break through the barriers that too often, and for too long,
have prevented them from seeking treatment. The strong social stigma attached
to this medical condition has made embarrassment and shyness a barrier to effective
treatment. A further barrier to sufferers seeking treatment has been a lack of
knowledge and understanding about ED and sexual health in general. Research shows
that fears that ED is just a sign of aging, or is a stress-related problem, delays
diagnosis and treatment for months. C is for ...Common and Causes
Erectile dysfunction is surprisingly common. Experts have found that
more than half of men between the ages of 40 and 70, have a problem achieving
or maintaining an erection. ED can also occur at an earlier age, affecting some
men in their twenties and thirties. The causes are varied, but most commonly include
diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and trauma. Lifestyle factors are also important.
Smoking cigarettes, for example, can constrict blood flow to the penis and worsen
vascular conditions. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol may also result in
ED. While counseling can be helpful when there's no underlying physical cause,
experts generally agree the causes are physical rather than psychological. The
best news of all -- treatments are available, with positive results for up to
80 per cent of men. D is for ...Depression Depression is
a common feeling for men with erectile dysfunction, and all the more reason to
seek treatment for this medical condition. This is understandable since a normal
sexual relationship is important to a man's confidence and sense of strength and
virility. An inability to have satisfactory sexual activity can naturally lead
to depression if professional help and medical diagnosis is not sought, more severe
feelings, such as lack of confidence and self-esteem are also caused.
E is for ...Erectile Dysfunction ED is the medically preferred term
for impotence. It is simply the consistent inability to achieve and/or maintain
an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. ED is considered a more
accurate term than impotence, because of the negative and personal implications
some people attach to that word. In Asia, research is beginning to show ED is
often a more acceptable term for both doctors and patients, as it overcomes the
traditional stigma about a man's virility and confidence that can accompany impotence.
F is for ... Fear Many men fear the range of treatments available
are too embarrassing or painful to contemplate. However this is not the case.
There are a range of treatment options, which have proven effective for millions
of men. In general, experts agree that proper diagnosis of ED can ensure effective
treatment in a majority of cases. G is for ... General Practitioner
For a patient suffering from ED, a visit to doctor is a logical first
step for diagnosis and treatment. Tests for ED are simple and non-invasive and
generally include a thorough review of a patient's medical and sexual history
plus various tests. These can include an ultrasound that checks vascular functioning,
checking arteries and neurological tests. H is for ... Health
Prostrate operations, heart problems, diabetes and multiple sclerosis are some
of the diseases doctors now believe can cause erectile problems, usually by damaging
the nerves that control penile muscle cells. Another common cause is arteriosclerosis,
the vascular hardening that leads to heart attack and stroke. Virtually anything
that raises the risk of coronary heart disease, such as smoking, is now believed
to cause erectile problems. Knowing that the problem is likely to be physiological
rather than psychological is making it easier for many men to come forward for
diagnosis and treatment. And while ED is more frequent in older men, doctors now
believe this is because other health conditions are more common in aging men.
I
is for... Ignorance Lack of understanding of underlying physical causes
of ED and lack of communication between men and their doctors has allowed myths
about ED to flourish. Myths like difficulty with erections doesn't happen to "real
men" or erectile dysfunction is a natural part of growing old, don't help
men to confidently turn to their partners and doctors to seek treatment. Some
men - and women - believe ED reflects a loss of virility, or that it is purely
a psychological problem. The fact is, ED is a medical condition often caused by
underlying health problems, not psychological factors. It doesn't have to be a
natural or acceptable part of the aging process. A brief physical examination
can help determine the cause and begin the process of identifying the best treatment
for a particular sufferer. J is for ... Jeopardize An ED
patient should not jeopardize the relationship with his partner. Partners of men
suffering from erectile dysfunction can often feel they are part of the cause
-- by being no longer desirable or attractive. This is a common reaction. Even
worse, a woman may begin to fear her husband is having an affair ! If the man
fears ED is a sign of failure on his part, a partner can risk alienating or embarrassing
him further. If not properly dealt with, a relationship or marriage can come to
an end over these unfounded fears and the awkwardness of the situation. The solution
lies in effective communication between partners. K is for ... Knowledge
Knowledge is essential to overcome ED. Doctors involved in the treatment
of ED are hoping a little bit of knowledge will go a long way in encouraging men
to seek treatment. However, there are many barriers, however, to overcome. These
include traditional social stigmas attached to ED, a man's own embarrassment,
misunderstandings about the effectiveness of the treatments available, and myths
and superstitions that have many men avoiding their doctors in favour of herbal
medicines. Increasing openness, however, about the role of sex in marriage and
general sexual health issues, means many men are becoming more knowledgeable about
this condition. L is for ...Libido Treatment for erectile
dysfunction is not about increasing a man's libido, or desire for sexual activity.
Rather, the treatments provide means for men to sustain an erection sufficient
for normal sexual activity. Treatments for ED are about restoring a man's normal
sexual functioning, not about creating arousal or libido. M is for
... is for Male Sexual Health Doctors and mental health professionals
are making enormous progress in understanding male sexual functioning and behaviours.
New understanding about the organic causes of erectile dysfunction, increasing
sophistication in the therapies available and efforts to encourage men to discuss
their sexual problems with partners and doctors is changing the landscape for
millions of men who, in the past, suffered from erectile dysfunction in silence.
N is for ... Nerve problems Injury, surgery or disease can damage
the nerves that trigger erections. Also some drugs prescribed for other conditions
can prevent the nerves from functioning properly. A proper medical diagnosis is
able to determine the cause and prescribe treatment. O is for
Old age Although there is a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction
among older men, due to age-related conditions and their treatments, erectile
dysfunction also occurs in younger men - the average age of the Asian patient
is about 48. P is for ... Partners Erectile dysfunction
has a profound effect on any woman whose partner is affected. However, the couples
have been dealing with the problem in private, experts believe treatment for ED
is more successful with partner involvement and support. Women can play a major
role in encouraging their partner to seek medical advice and treatment and in
ensuring that sexual problems do not become a barrier in the relationship. In
the majority of instances, once a man has sought medical treatment, a healthy
sexual relationship can be resumed. Q is for ... Quality
A healthy sexual relationship is part of quality of life for any couple. Seeking
diagnosis and treatment when there's a problem is the sensible solution for any
health issue that threatens or upsets quality of life. Men who have sought diagnosis
and treatment report strong improvements in the quality of their relationship
and intimacy with their partner. A willingness to deal honestly and openly with
the condition to and undergo treatment, can rejuvenate this important area of
a relationship thus improving mental health and self-esteem. R is
for ... Remedy Traditional medicines and herbal remedies have a history
of over 2,500 years and are commonly used to treat a number of different ailments.
Practitioners combine a mixture of ingredients which aim to treat the whole body
in their approach to the treatment of ED. However, it is important to note that
traditional medicines constitute just one of many available treatments and they
don't necessarily work for all ED sufferers. S is for...Suffering
in Silence Sadly, too many men suffer in silence from ED. Embarrassed,
fearful, depressed, often suspecting the problem is somehow their own fault, ED
sufferers stay away from doctors for too long, believing no help is available.
Effective intervention can relieve anxiety and depression, improve a man's sense
of well-being, rejuvenate his relationship with his partner and improve the quality
of family life. T is for ...Treatment Like most serious
medical conditions, treatments for ED are available. Several options exist that
have proven effective. Many medications for erectile dysfunction are being studied
in clinical trials. U is for ...Underlying conditions.
It is important to seek medical help for a patient suffering from erectile dysfunction
as it may be the first sign of an underlying condition such as diabetes, about
which patient may not have been aware of. V is for ...Vascular problem
Arteriosclerosis is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction. Damage to the vascular
system which can occur as a complication of diabetes is partly to blame for the
frequent cases of erectile dysfunction seen in men with this condition.
W is for ...Worldwide Erectile dysfunction is a medical condition
that affects men of all ages around the world. The most detailed study so far
-- the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, conducted in the Boston area in the U.S.
-- found that among men 40 to 70 years old, more than half had an erectile problem.
Experts believe that these statistics are likely to be applicable for most countries
in the world. X is for ... eXcessive Excessive use of alcohol
and cigarettes can be a significant factor in causing ED. Y is for
...Your patient with ED Your patient is not alone, he can get help, but
patient need to take the first step. Z is for ... Zest The
best news of all: men who have obtained treatment (and their partners) report
a new zest in life and their relationship. Generic
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