Have you lost interest in sex, even though you love your partner? Are you hesitating to get intimate in the bedroom because you are having difficulty achieving and sustaining an erection?
Although occasionally experiencing difficulty maintaining an erection may be normal, your doctor may diagnose you with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) if it occurs frequently and disrupts your sexual life consistently.
The risk of ED increases with age, but it’s not uncommon for young men to experience ED. In fact, young men are accounted for 25% of newly diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and that number increases to 50% among men ages 40 to 70.
How Do I Know If I Have ED?
It is quite straightforward- if you are having difficulties for a while, getting or keeping an erection, and your desire to have sex has decreased, you might have ED. The most difficult part is overcoming the feeling of shame and talking about it with your doctor. As difficult as it is, when you ask for help, you will discover that there are plantly of options available for you to get better.
Men’s Sexual Health
So many issues can affect men’s sexual health. At ReBalance, an integrative medical practice, we consider you as a whole man. It’s this holistic approach to erectile dysfunction treatments that allows our specialists to identify and treat the key factors for improving men’s sexual health to the best level possible. Effective treatments touch on men’s physical, mental, and emotional aspects of sexual health.
What Causes ED?
Age, and specifically getting older, plays a major role in erectile dysfunction. Hypogonadism, a medical term for low testosterone in men, mostly associated with aging, can be caused by a variety of factors. Men’s testosterone levels drop by about one percent per year after they reach the age of 30, but the primary cause is age. You may opt for testosterone injections or go for a more natural course of treatment. Our team of specialists at Rebalance clinic NY for men can help.
Carsdivalsucal illnesses that reduce the blood supply to the penis, such as atherosclerosis, heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, can all cause ED. A person with metabolic conditions like metabolic syndrome, obesity, or diabetes is at risk for developing ED. Neurological diseases such as Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Phycological issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, and strained relationships can take their toll on sexual wellness.
There are risk factors as well that can put one at risk of developing ED and they include using drugs, smoking and consuming alcohol, and taking certain medications such as those taken to reduce blood pressure and help with anxiety. Nerve damage affecting the genitals can cause ED.
What ED Treatments Are Available?
There are several treatment options available for ED. Medications such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) can help improve blood flow to the penis, making it easier to achieve an erection. As popular as they are, these medications have some side effects, such as headache, dizziness, rash, and even vision problems and prolonged erection that require medical attention to prevent permanent damage. They are not safe to take in conjunction with some cardiac drugs (nitrates and alpha-blockers). Counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or sex therapy are options that can help treat the psychological factors that contribute to ED. Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and exercising regularly can help improve symptoms of ED.
How Do I Fix My ED Naturally?
Over time, natural approaches were developed to treat ED and these include some minimally invasive treatments such as using Shockwaves that use high-frequency sound waves to improve blood flow to the penis. Hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone, can be treated with Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) which uses hormones that are chemically identical to those naturally produced in the body. It was shown that taking BHRT under medical supervision can restore the hormones to their optimal level. Our clinic uses both shockwave therapy and BHRT therapy successfully.
Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Prevented?
There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk and improve your sexual health. Start with regular checkups with your healthcare provider to identify and address any potential health issues that could contribute to ED and to manage chronic conditions that can contribute to ED. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption since both can increase the risk of developing ED. Take care of your mental health. Anxiety, depression, and stress can all contribute to ED. Seek consultation to address any underlying psychological factors that may be contributing to the problem.
