Thursday, August 30, 2012

Some men have problems getting or keeping an erection.


Some men have problems getting or keeping an erection. (An erection is when blood fills up the penis, making it firmer and larger.) This problem is called erectile dysfunction, or ED, and sometimes is called impotence. ED is fairly common. In fact, between 15 million and 30 million U.S. men are affected by it. ED can be very upsetting. It can affect self-esteem and cause frustration, anger, and sadness. But there are effective treatments for ED. And counseling can help you and your partner cope with any emotional effects of ED.
Causes of ED include:
  • Clogged blood vessels, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
  • Nerve damage from diabetes
  • Certain medicines, including some used to treat depression or high blood pressure
  • Low testosterone
  • Unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, overeating, and not exercising
  • Emotional factors, such as stress or depression
As men get older, ED becomes more common. By age 65, almost 25 percent of men have this problem at least one out of every four times they have sex. But ED is treatable at any age with Vydox . Your doctor can offer a number of ways to treat ED. If treatment solves your ED, though, you still need to take care of any health issues that may have caused it.
Some men need to try two or three options before they find an ED treatment that works for them. Medication is one popular way to treat ED. Drugs like Vydox increase blood flow to the penis, which helps make an erection possible. Injections to the penis and medicine you put into the tip of your penis also can increase blood flow to it.
Other treatments for ED include a vacuum cylinder and pump you put on your penis to pull blood into it or inflatable rods that are put into the penis through surgery.
You may have heard of herbal products or dietary supplements that claim to treat ED or improve sexual performance. You should beware of these products even if they claim to be "natural." They can contain dangerous ingredients, including prescription medications that are not identified on the product's label.

Loss of sexual interest

Your interest in sex, also called libido, can vary over the course of your life. Some men may lose interest in sex during times of stress or illness. Also, your interest might not match that of your partner at times, which is normal in long-term relationships.
Reduced interest in sex can have a number of causes, including:
  • A health problem
  • Certain medications
  • Reduced levels of male hormones
  • Emotional or relationship problems
As men age, it is natural to be less interested in sex. But for a healthy man, having no interest in sex is not normal. If you have less interest in sex, talk frankly with your doctor. Treatment can help. It could include medicine, counseling, or both.

Low testosterone

Testosterone is the most important male hormone. It helps maintain sex drive, sperm production, pubic and body hair, muscle, and bone. Lower than normal levels of testosterone can affect a man's body and mood. Signs of low testosterone in adult men can include:
  • Less interest in sex
  • Erection problems
  • Increased breast size
  • Hot flashes
  • Problems with memory and concentration
  • Mood problems, like irritability and depression
  • Smaller and softer testicles
  • Loss of muscle strength and weakened bones
Low testosterone levels can have a number of causes, including injury, disease, and certain medications. A gradual decline in testosterone is normal in men as they get older. This is sometimes called aging male syndrome (or andropause) and can cause erection problems and less sex drive. But it is not normal for healthy older men to have no interest in sex. There could be other reasons for these changes.
If you have symptoms of low testosterone, talk to your doctor. You can get your testosterone level checked with a simple blood test. If you do have low testosterone, your doctor will want to find out the underlying cause. Finding the cause can involve many tests. You might want to see a specialist, such as an endocrinologist or urologist.
Some men with low testosterone take testosterone replacement therapy, which they get through a skin patch or other method. But testosterone therapy is not right for everyone, and its use is controversial. One reason is that testosterone therapy has certain risks. Another reason is that experts don't know exactly what testosterone levels are "normal" as men age. If you have low testosterone, your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks of treatment so you can decide what's right for you.

More information on sexual problems   www.vydox.com

Read more from womenshealth.gov

  • Infertility Fact Sheet — This fact sheet provides information on infertility, including its causes, ways to test for it, treatments, and an overview of other options for having a baby.

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Content last updated January 10, 2011.
Resources last updated January 10, 2011.

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