The processes in the body that lead to an erection are verycomplex: blood vessels, hormones, nerves and the psyche are all involved.Conversely, this means that erectile dysfunction often has several triggers. In addition, there are certain risk factors that favor erectile dysfunction: in addition to age, overweight, poor diet and lack of exercise, alcohol and nicotine are also included.
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Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Man with erectile dysfunction in bed© iStock.com/laflor(symbol photo)1 | 10
Possible causes of erectile dysfunction are:
Stress, pressure to perform and fear of failure
Mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders or depression
Heart and vascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis, highblood pressure or a heart attack
Metabolic diseases: for example diabetes mellitus, kidneyfailure or thyroid diseases
Nerve and brain disorders such as multiple sclerosis or aherniated disc
Diseases in the genital area, for example narrowing of theforeskin, inflammation of the prostate or tumor diseases
Traumatic sexual experiences
Side effects of medication, for example beta blockers,psychotropic drugs or hormonal preparations
Problems with potency should be taken seriously - if yousuffer from erectile dysfunction, you should consult a doctor early on. Thereare also home remedies and tips on what you can do specifically for erectile dysfunction. Find out more in our photo gallery!
Medication
Pack of blue pills for erectile dysfunction©iStock.com/Savushkin2 | 10
A classic of the ways to treat erectile dysfunction aredrugs like Viagra ® . The blue pill for men inhibits the enzymephosphodiesterase 5. As a result, the smooth muscles relax and the blood vessels expand. This will pump more blood into the penis and keep it stiff.
After the patent protection for Viagra ® fell in 2013 ,various drugs with the active ingredients Tadalafil, Vardenafil, Acanafil andSildenafil are on the market today. All of them are phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 inhibitors. In Germany, all drugs are only available with a prescription and must be prescribed by a doctor.
Treat testosterone deficiency
Check blood for testosterone deficiency©iStock.com/jarun0113 | 10
Erectile dysfunction can also be caused by a deficiency inthe male sex hormone testosterone. In such a case, the potency problem cannotbe treated with a drug like Viagra - it simply won't work. Rather, the testosterone level that is too low is raised with an appropriately dosed hormone preparation. The doctor can determine whether there is a testosterone deficiency by doing a blood test .
How does a testosterone deficiency manifest itself?
From the age of 40, the body produces less testosterone. Thefalling hormone level can be noticeable by the following symptoms:
sexual desire diminishes
fewer nocturnal erections
Erectile dysfunction
decreased sperm production
Muscle mass decreases, endurance decreases
Hair on the face and body decreases
Difficulty sleeping , mood swings, and listlessness
Belly fat increases
Mechanical potency aids
Vacuum pump for erectile dysfunction© iStock.com/marshack4 |10
An alternative to the drug treatment of erectile dysfunctionare mechanical aids such as vacuum pumps and penis rings (cock rings). Thevacuum pump consists of a transparent plastic cylinder with a suction pump that is placed on the penis. A negative pressure is created, which increases blood flow into the erectile tissue of the penis, which leads to an erection. There is a rubber ring at the base of the penis so that the blood cannot flow back. To prevent circulatory disorders, the vacuum pump must be removed after 30 minutes.
The penis ring can help men with mild to moderate erectiledysfunction, as it prevents blood from flowing out of the erectile tissue ofthe erect penis and the penis remains stiff.
Especially for men who can not take medication for healthreasons , these aids are a good way to increase their potency. Affected menshould seek advice from their treating doctor.
Surgery for erectile dysfunction
Doctors in the operating room during the operating room forthe treatment of erectile dysfunction© iStock.com/jacoblund5 | 10
Since the chances of success are not very great, operationsto treat erectile dysfunction are rarely performed. Surgical intervention is anoption if a man cannot take drugs that increase potency for health reasons or if he rejects mechanical aids such as the vacuum pump.
During the operation, the blood supply to the penis iseither increased through another vessel, similar to a bypass . Or the vascularsurgery reduces the outflow of blood from the erectile tissue. A erectile tissue implant can also be used as part of the operation. However, parts of the natural erectile tissue in the penis are irreparably destroyed. Therefore, an implant is only a last option.
Exercise the pelvic floor
Men can also train their pelvic floor with certainexercises. Muscle groups in the pelvic region are specifically activated, whichimproves blood circulation. These muscles help the penis become stiff and can prevent it from sagging prematurely.
Suitable exercises for pelvic floor exercises are:
Tilt your pelvis: Stand upright, your buttocks slightlystretched backwards so that you can easily arch your back. Open your legsshoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. Now tense the gluteal muscles and straighten the pelvis - the knees remain slightly bent. Hold the tension briefly, then return to the starting position with the pelvis. Slowly repeat the exercise 7 times.
Raise your pelvis: Lie on your back and bend your legs.Place your feet hip-width apart on the floor. The arms are next to the body.Tense your buttocks and slowly push them up so that your thighs and stomach form a straight line. Tense the pelvic floor and hold it for a few minutes. Then slowly put your back and buttocks back down. Repeat the exercise 7 times.
Inclined plane: Sit up straight and stretch your legsslightly apart. The upper body is supported by the arms, the hands lie flat onthe floor next to the hips. Lift your buttocks off the floor so your legs are in a straight line with your torso - only your heels and palms are touching the floor. Repeat the exercise 5 times.
Acupuncture
Man gets acupuncture treatment for erectile dysfunction©iStock.com/LukaTDB7 | 10
For erectile dysfunction, acupuncture can also be tried,especially if the causes are psychological. Here the needles can help tostimulate blood flow, the release of hormones and nerve conduction. The needles are inserted along the meridians on the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, these are the channels in which life energy flows. The genital area is left out during the treatment. If you like, you can also try acupressure in the lower back and abdomen.
