symptoms of erectile dysfunction
Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Introduction
Traditionally, people are unaware of the situation while intimating with their partners. But as science evolved various symptoms of erectile dysfunction came into the picture. It was earlier known as ‘impotence’, however this term isn’t in use anymore. Nearly 322 million people will be affected worldwide. This hampers intimacy and the quality of life, but medical science has built various treatments to improve the quality of sexual intercourse. Screening the root cause assists in treating people and upgrading overall well-being.
Definition
Erectile Dysfunction is a condition where a person faces failure to get and maintain an erection that is enough for sexual intercourse. Though it comes with age, sometimes it might be due to physical and psychological reasons.
Signs and Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
- Difficulty in erection results in lack of sexual desire
- Feeling of guilt or shy with low self-esteem
- Lack of erection leads to emotional breakdown
- Inability to satisfy a partner
- Often accompanies higher cholesterol, blood pressure, swelling and bleeding of gums {Gum disease also leads to inflammation, makes it tougher to blood flow into penis and makes it harder}, reduced muscle mass, numbness and tingling sensation in feet ascribed by nerve damage in diabetes
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction related to nerve damage
- The erectile nerve damage dysfunction is different from erectile dysfunction. They arise because of autonomic nerve damage. It includes urinary incontinence, diarrhoea, and constipation.
- If there is a nerve damage in the pelvic region due to injury or surgery, it can lead to few symptoms of erectile dysfunction include, burning pain and tingling sensation in buttocks and genitalia, pain during sex, and urinary urgency.
Issues linked to cause erectile dysfunction: A combination of physical and psychological issues is involved in causing symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Physical issues
- The most common physical issues are atherosclerosis, heart disease, obesity high cholesterol, blood pressure, parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, tobacco and alcohol, prostate cancer, sleep disorders,, low testosterone, stroke, using illegal drugs, inactive without exercise, low blood inflow to penis
- Spinal cord injury - nerve signals from brain or spinal cord do not reach penis
Psychological issues
- On the other hand, psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, history of sexual abuse, body dysmorphia, fear of sexual failure and low self esteem occurs with this inability.
- Chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, heavy metal poisoning, spinal cord and nerve injuries cause the symptoms of erectile dysfunction by damaging nerves.
- Pressure on the nerves of the genital area and buttocks due to bicycle riding also causes temporary erectile dysfunction. It is one of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Evaluation of erectile dysfunction
- As there are different causes for this condition, the doctor performs different tests to diagnose this.
- Primarily doctor investigates the symptoms of erectile dysfunction
- Then doctor performs a physical examination and asks some questions like
- Medications undertaking currently
- Had any psychological issues like stress, anxiety, and depression
- When did you notice the first symptom?
- Problems in current relationships, etc.
- Having the habit of taking recreational drugs or not
- Do you smoke and drink alcohol?
Apart from these, following tests also comes into account to diagnose normal and nerve damage erectile dysfunction
- Complete blood count
- Liver and kidney function tests
- Lipid profile
- Thyroid function test
- Urine analysis
- Blood hormone studies
- Ultrasound
- Bulbocavernosus reflex
- Nocturnal penile tumescence
- Penile biothesiometry
- Vasoactive injection
- Dynamic infusion cavernosometry
- Cavernosography
- Arteriography
How to overcome erectile dysfunction?
- Good eating habits
- Walking regularly
- Healthy BMI
- Health parameters
- Acupuncture
- Psychotherapy – if it is due to emotional or mental health problems.
- Drug therapy - phosphodiesterase inhibitors are commonly used to relieve erectile dysfunction nerve damage symptoms
- Oral medications – Viagra, Cialis, stendra, and levitra – enhance nitric oxide effect in the body, and improve blood flow.
- Some common side effects with this drugs include headache, stuffy nose, indigestion
- Alprostadil - this can also cause automatic erections. It is injected at the base or side of penis or taken as suppository
- Vacuum devices – improve blood flow to the penis and result in an erection
- Muse therapy – alprostadil suppository is inserted into the penile urethra.
- Testosterone replacement
- UWave (penile shock wave therapy)
- Penile implantation - flexible rod shaped devices are placed on either side of penis through surgery. It has to be done if medicines were found to be ineffective.
Can erectile dysfunction be prevented or avoided?
Yes, by following these steps
- Avoiding alcohol
- Stop smoking
- Saying no to abusive drugs
- Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure
- Avoid stress
- Trying to relax
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
Conclusion
A person is unable to show full erection due to many physical and psychological factors. It is important to remember that symptoms of erectile dysfunction are common and treatment can be done earlier if a discussion with a doctor is done at the correct time. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can reduce the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, emotional stress and pain felt by the patients and partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may coexist as premature ejaculation as decreased sexual desire, or aversion towards sex.
Yes, it is possible to find out the underlying cause. Sexual therapy, psychological therapy, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles can be effective and reverse this problem.
Yes, they are safe. They work with 4 out of 5 men.
Visit your doctor, if there is pain after sexual intercourse or if there are any flushing or heat or symptoms associated with erection enhancers or when the treatment is ineffective.
If the operation was completed without any complications, you can resume activity after two weeks approximately after getting approval from a doctor.