Posts Tagged ‘ED’
Physical Causes and Feelings Which Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Physical causes of erectile dysfunction
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Fatigue
- Brain or spinal-cord injuries
- Hypogonadism (which leads to lower testosterone levels)
- Liver or kidney failure
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Radiation therapy to the testicles
- Stroke
- Some types of prostate or bladder surgery
Feelings that can lead to erectile dysfunction
- Feeling nervous about sex, perhaps because of a bad experience or because of a previous episode of impotence
- Feeling stressed, including stress from work or family situations
- Being troubled by problems in your relationship with your sex partner
- Feeling depressed
- Feeling so self-conscious that you can’t enjoy sex
- Thinking that your partner is reacting negatively to you
How Common is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction (ED, impotence) varies in severity; some men have a total inability to achieve an erection, others have an inconsistent ability to achieve an erection, and still others can sustain only brief erections.
The variations in severity of erectile dysfunction make estimating its frequency difficult. Many men also are reluctant to discuss erectile dysfunction with their doctors, and thus the condition is under-diagnosed. Nevertheless, experts have estimated that erectile dysfunction affects 30 million men in the Untied States.
While erectile dysfunction can occur at any age, it is uncommon among young men and more common in the elderly. By age 45, most men have experienced erectile dysfunction at least some of the time. According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, complete impotence increases from 5% among men 40 years of age to 15% among men 70 years and older.
Population studies conducted in the Netherlands found that some degree of erectile dysfunction occurred in 20% of men between ages 50 to 54, and in 50% of men between ages 70 to 78. In 1999, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey counted 1,520,000 doctor-office visits for erectile dysfunction.
Source: medicinenet.com
How Does an Erectile Dysfunction Pump Work?
What is a vacuum constriction device or erectile dysfunction pumps?
A vacuum constriction device (VCD) is an external pump with a band on it that a man with erectile dysfunction can use to get and maintain an erection.
The VCD consists of an acrylic cylinder with a pump that may be attached directly to the end of the penis. A constriction ring or band is placed on the cylinder at the other end, which is applied to the body. The cylinder and pump are used to create a vacuum to help the penis become erect; the band or constriction ring is used to help maintain the erection.
How Does It Work?
Generally most of the pumps follow the same procedure. It is:
- Place the pump, which can be pumped by hand or run on batteries, over your penis
- Pump the air out of the cylinder so that a vacuum is created. The vacuum draws blood into the shaft of the penis and causes it to swell and become erect.
- Once the penis is erect, with the help of lubricant, slide the retaining band down onto the lower end of the penis.
- Remove the pump
Intercourse can be attempted with the constriction band in place to help maintain the erection. The band can be left on safely for up to 30 minutes to allow for successful intercourse.
Who Should Consider Using a Vacuum Constriction Device?
Vacuum constriction devices are safe and can be used by patients with ED caused by many conditions. They could also include people suffering with:
- Poor blood flow to the penis
- Diabetes
- Surgery for prostate or colon cancer
- Psychological issues such as anxiety or depression
Vacuum constriction devices should not be used by men who may have a significant congenital bleeding disorder or a disorder that predisposes them to a condition called priapism.
What Are the Side Effects?
Being an unnatural approach, there are possibilities of side effects. The penis tends to be purplish in color and can be cold or numb. Other side effects can include:
- A black and blue mark or small area of bleeding on the shaft of the penis. This is usually painless and generally will resolve in a few days
- Decrease in the force of the ejaculation. The semen will usually dribble out once the constriction band is removed. Generally, this does not interfere with the pleasure of a climax or orgasm