Find out the causes, prevention and ways to combat male sexual impotence. Treatable erectile dysfunction
THE erectile dysfunction it is a subject surrounded by many taboos. Despite reaching millions of people around the planet, the debate on the problem is often full of prejudice and insecurity. Factors that hinder the search for solutions, which can be simple and satisfying. According to data from the Brazilian Society of Urology, 50% of men over 40 in Brazil suffer from erection problems. Discomfort that affects around 16 million Brazilians in all.
According to Dr. Juan Pablo Suarez, urologist, erectile dysfunction is a condition defined by the constant difficulty in maintaining or achieving a satisfactory and sufficient penile erection for sexual penetration. According to the doctor, the problem is frequent and usually negatively affects interpersonal relationships. Directly interfere with people’s quality of life.
Cases of sexual impotence can occur due to numerous physical and mental factors. “The erection of the penis is a fundamentally vascular phenomenon that occurs inside the corpora cavernosa and manifests itself according to their anatomical and functional integrity, undergoing neurological, hormonal and psychological modulations. The anamnesis is fundamental in identifying psychogenic factors. in the etiology of erectile dysfunction “, explains the expert.
Main causes of erectile dysfunction
Psychological factors such as anxiety, depression or just plain insecurity are common and can cause erectile dysfunction. However, there are also some signs that the problem may have a traumatic, neurological, or hormonal origin. According to the doctor, it is also worth paying attention if there is a reduction or absence of morning and / or involuntary erections, regardless of sexual stimulation.
However, most of the problems related to sexual impotence are related to mental and emotional factors. “Guiding the patient with psychogenic erectile dysfunction caused by concerns about patterns of sexual normality, ignorance or lack of sexual information, insecurity and occasional or circumstantial failures (performance anxiety) is essential. In these cases it is necessary to listen to the patient’s complaint, to understand it. and respond appropriately to the questions asked “, explains Dr. Suarez.
According to the doctor, erectile dysfunction basically has hormonal, vascular, neurogenic and pharmacological causes. Watch:
hormonal
According to the doctor. Suarez, corresponds to about 5% of cases. “Testosterone is more related to libido than erection and, therefore, a low level of this hormone is not always a cause of erectile dysfunction,” he says.
Vascular
“Any pathology that results in a decrease in arterial flow, such as atherosclerosis, for example, can compromise an erection.” The vascular problem can still be the result of trauma or abnormalities in the penile region.
neurogenic
Stimuli from the nervous system can also cause sexual impotence. “The integrity of the parasympathetic nervous system, particularly the S2-S4 roots and the cavernous nerve, is critical for erection. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common cause of neurogenic erectile dysfunction. It occurs in over 50% of patients. older than 6 years of disease and is directly related to glycemic control, “he reveals.
drug
Finally, it is also important to be aware of the use of some substances without medical supervision. “Numerous drugs are linked to the inability to get or maintain an erection. The most common are psychotropic drugs (anxiolytics, antidepressants and antipsychotics), antihypertensives, diuretics and antiandrogens,” says Dr. Suarez.
Can removing the prostate cause impotence?
“Yes. Removal of the prostate can cause erectile dysfunction due to damage to the nerve bundles in this region, responsible for the erection. The pudendal nerve can be damaged during a prostatectomy for prostate cancer, for example. Robotic surgery serves the purpose. to reduce this type of injury, as it allows a better visualization of the structures to be dissected. However, the advantage of removing the prostate overlaps with thinking about sexual activity when it comes to cancer, which is why we perform this type of surgery, “he says. the doctor.
Is there any way to prevent erectile dysfunction?
“The best way to prevent this sexual problem is undoubtedly to prevent cardiovascular disease, control high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol with a balanced diet and practice regular physical activity. Life. Working with low stress levels and a good relationship with partner also influence positively “, explains the specialist.
Substances, home remedies and treatments
Once you have identified the cause of the problem, it is time to seek medical assistance and guidance in devising the best solution strategy. However, according to Dr. Suarez, there are other ways to solve simpler cases. The use of citrulline-based food supplements, for example, can improve the body’s vasodilator action and facilitate erection.
An alternative is to bet on natural foods and home remedies, such as rosemary tea, honey, guarana and ginseng. The doctor points out, however, that due to the lack of in-depth studies, there is no scientific evidence that these methods are really effective for treatment. But, as these are natural ingredients and without contraindications, it is worth a try. “Peruvian maca and tribulus terrestre are also used in the treatment of this disease, with the principle of acting as a substrate for the production of hormones,” he says.
However, psychological treatment with therapies and tests is usually one of the most effective against erectile dysfunction. Often, certain medications can also solve the problem. “We usually start with the control of underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, vascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Nutritional evaluation concomitant with dietary control, in order to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, will help. Daily use or on demand. . Sexuality-centered psychotherapy is performed by some psychology professionals and can be an important tool in the solution of psychogenic erectile dysfunction, “says Dr. Suarez.
However, if none of these options work, penile implants still exist. “When we do not have the goal achieved with the previous options, we use the implantation of penile prostheses, which currently can be semi-rigid or inflatable”, concludes the doctor.
“In Brazil, the inflatable option has a very high cost, which is close to 20 thousand US dollars, different from the one just arrived here and which represents an innovation in malleable prostheses. This prosthesis costs between R $ 7 thousand and R $ 10 thousand and is covered by health plans “, completes the urologist dr. Carlos Bautzer.
Sources: Dr. Juan Pablo Suarez, urologist of Grupo Conexa and Dr. Carlos Bautzer, urologist of the SÃrio-Libanês hospital.
Source: Terra
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