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Erectile Dysfunction Basics
Erectile dysfunction, commonly referred to as ED, is the inability to achieve and sustain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. This condition is not considered normal at any age and is different from other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation and orgasm. With the consideration of all of the Erectile Dysfunction clinics in Las Vegas, NV and other cities throughout the U.S., it is a real problem in the nation.
How Common Is ED?
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 5 percent of 40-year-old men and between 15 and 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience ED on a long-term basis.
A much more common problem that affects the majority of men at some point in their life is the occasional failure to achieve an erection, which can occur for a variety of reasons, such as from drinking too much alcohol or from being extremely tired.
Failure to achieve an erection less than 20% of the time is not unusual and treatment is rarely needed. Failure to achieve an erection more than 50% of the time, however, generally indicates there is a problem requiring treatment. If treatment is required, there are several Erectile Dysfunction doctors in Las Vegas, NV and other cities who are qualified to help patients deal with this often embarrassing condition.
What Causes ED?
In order to achieve an erection three conditions must occur: The nerves to the penis must be functioning properly; the blood circulation to the penis must be adequate; there must be a stimulus from the brain. If there is something interfering with any or all of these conditions, a full erection will be prevented.
Common causes of ED include diseases that affect blood flow, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); nerve diseases, psychological factors, such as stress, depression, and performance anxiety; and injury to the penis. Chronic illness, certain medications and a condition called Peyronie's disease (scar tissue in the penis) can also cause ED. Speaking to a Erectile Dysfunction physicians will help patients pinpoint what their cause of ED may be.
Can ED Be Prevented?
For people who are at risk of developing ED due to personal behavior, such as drinking too much alcohol, steps may be taken to prevent its occurrence. However, other causes of ED may not be preventable.
What Doctors Treat ED?
The type of medical specialist who treats ED, such as Viagra Doctors in Las Vegas, NV, will depend on the cause of the problem. Based on your family's medical history as well as your own medical history and current health, your doctor may treat you with oral medications such as Viagra or similar drugs. If this fails, he or she may refer you to a urologist or psychologist, or a specialized Viagra Clinic in Las Vegas, NV or other nearby city.
What Should I Do If I am Having Problems Achieving/Maintaining an Erection?
If you suspect you may have erectile dysfunction, see your doctor or consult with Erectile Dysfunction Clinics in Las Vegas, NV or other nearby city. The doctor and/or clinics can perform a variety of tests to identify what is causing your problem and refer you to a specialist if needed. Once the cause is identified, there are several treatments to consider. Consult with Viagra Clinics in Las Vegas, NV or Cialis Clinics in Las Vegas, NV for more information.
How Is Erectile Dysfunction Treated?
There are many different ways ED can be treated, including oral medications, sex therapy, penile injections, suppositories, vacuum pumps, and surgery. Each type of treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor or Erectile Dysfunction Physicians in Las Vegas, NV or other nearby cities to determine the best treatment for you.
Does Insurance Cover ED Treatment?
Insurance coverage of ED depends upon the type of treatment prescribed. If there is a documented medical condition that is shown to be causing ED, insurance will usually cover at least some of it. Sex therapy and medications that have not yet been approved by the FDA, however, are generally not covered. Talk to your insurance provider or Erectile Dysfunction Clinics in Las Vegas, NV or other nearby city to determine if the treatment you are considering will be covered.
Physical Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
The process of achieving an erection is complex and problems may occur for a variety of reasons. These problems can be psychological, physical, or a combination of the two.
Physical causes of ED are related to a breakdown or damage to the sequence of events that lead to an erection. This sequence involves nerve impulses in the brain, spine, and penis as well as the subsequent response in the muscles, fibrous tissues, veins and arteries in and near the corpora cavernosa.
Often times the breakdown or damage in the sequence affects the arteries, muscles, and surrounding tissues of the penis, and this breakdown is most commonly the result of a disease. Diseases that commonly cause ED include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes can cause nerve and artery damage that can make achieving an erection difficult. Between 35% and 50% of men with diabetes experience ED, according the National Institutes of Health. Some estimates are higher, stating that up to 75% of men with diabetes will experience at least some degree of ED during their lifetime and the risk increases with age.
- Kidney disease: Kidney disease can cause chemical changes to occur in your body that affect hormones, circulation, nerve function, and energy level. Often times these changes will lower a person's libido (sex drive) or sexual ability. Drugs used to treat kidney disease may also cause ED.
- Neurological (nerve and brain) diseases: The nervous system (the body's system of nerves) plays a vital part in achieving and maintaining an erection and it is common for men with diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries to experience ED. This is due to an interruption in the transmission of nerve impulses between the brain and the penis.
- Vascular disease: Vascular diseases are those that affect the blood vessels. These diseases include atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), hypertension, and high cholesterol. These diseases, which account for 70% of physically-related causes of ED, all restrict blood flow to the heart, the brain and, in the case of ED, the penis.
- Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer doesn't cause ED on its own, but treatment (radiation, hormonal manipulation, or surgery to remove the cancer) can lead to erectile problems.
The physical causes of ED are not only disease-related. There are many other potential causes, including: - Surgery: Surgery performed to treat diseases such as prostate cancer and bladder cancer often require the removal of nerves and tissues around the affected area which can lead to ED. Some of these surgeries result in only temporary problems (lasting 6-18 months) while others result in permanent damage to the nerves and tissue around the penis and require treatment in order for an erection to be achieved.
- Injury: Injuries to the pelvis, bladder, spinal cord, and penis that require surgery also commonly cause ED.
- Hormonal imbalances: Imbalances of hormones, such as thyroid hormones, prolactin, and testosterone, can affect a man's response to sexual stimulation. These imbalances can be the result of a tumor of the pituitary gland, kidney disease, liver disease, or hormonal treatment of prostate cancer. Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Las Vegas, NV or other nearby city can help determine if a hormonal imbalance is indeed the issue.
- Venous leak: If the veins in the penis cannot prevent blood from leaving the penis during an erection, an erection cannot be maintained. This is known as a venous leak, and can be a result of injury or disease.
- Tobacco, alcohol or drug use: All three of these substances can damage a person's blood vessels and/or restrict blood flow to the penis, causing ED. Smoking in particular plays a large role in causing ED in people with arteriosclerosis.
Erectile Dysfunction: Cialis, Viagra and Levitra to Treat ED
There are only three oral drugs approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction: Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra. All work by increasing the flow of blood into the penis so that when a man is sexually stimulated, he can get an erection. There are Viagra clinics in Las Vegas, NV, Cialis clinics in Las Vegas, NV and other cities who can assist with obtaining the necessary information that will determine if any of these prescription drugs are ideal for you.
What Are the Differences Between Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra?
Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra work by a similar mechanism to cause erections. There are subtle differences in how long the drug works and how quickly it works. Levitra works a little longer than Viagra. They both take effect in about 30 minutes. With Levitra, the effects last for about 5 hours. With Viagra, the effects last approximately 4 hours.
Cialis works a bit faster (within about 15 minutes), and the effects last much longer -- up to 36 hours in some cases.
If One of These Drugs Isn't Effective for Erectile Dysfunction, Can I Try Another?
Yes, but because these drugs work the same way, it's unlikely that you'll have success with one if you've failed to achieve an adequate erection with another. Speak to a specialized Erectile Dysfunction Doctor in Las Vegas, NV or other nearby city for more information.
What Precautions Should I Take Before Taking One of These Drugs?
There are certain situations in which these drugs may not be safe to take. Before taking them, tell your doctor:
- If you are allergic to any drugs, including Viagra or other ED medications.
- About any prescription or nonprescription medications you are currently taking, including herbal and dietary supplements.
- If you are scheduled for surgery, including dental surgery.
- If you take nitroglycerin or a long-acting nitrate to treat chest pain. The combination of Cialis, Levitra or Viagra with these drugs can cause dangerously low blood pressure.
- If you take alpha-blockers for blood pressure or prostate problems. The combination of Cialis or Levitra with these drugs can also cause dangerously low blood pressure. Viagra clinics in Las Vegas, NV and Cialis clinics in Las Vegas, NV can provide more information on the risks involved with certain erectile dysfunction medications.
In addition, always follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor, erectile dysfunction doctor in Las Vegas, NV or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Take these drugs exactly as directed. Do not take more or less or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not take these drugs more than once a day.
Who Should Not Take Cialis, Levitra or Viagra?
If you have suffered from a heart attack, stroke or life threatening arrhythmia (irregular heart rate) within the last six months you should discuss other options with your doctor, Viagra doctor in Las Vegas, NV or Cialis doctor in Las Vegas, NV. It is also advised to avoid these drugs if you have uncontrolled high or low blood pressure or if you experience chest pain with sex.
What Are the Side Effects of Cialis, Levitra and Viagra?
Side effects are not common but they can occur. Side effects can include:
- Headache
- Upset stomach or ‘heartburn’
- Flushing (feeling warm)
- Nasal congestion
- Changes in vision (color, glare)
- Back pain (with Cialis)
Call your doctor if you experience severe forms of these symptoms or if they do not go away after 4-8 hours.
Warning
Call your doctor or erectile dysfunction physicians in Las Vegas, NV or other nearby cities or seek emergency treatment immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: - Rash
- Painful erection
- Prolonged erection (longer than 4 hours)
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Itching or burning during urination
Stop taking these medications and call a doctor or health care provider right away if you experience sudden or decreased vision loss in one or both eyes. A rare vision problem called NAION has been reported by a few men using these drugs. NAION (nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) causes a sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve. People who have a higher chance for NAION include those who: - Are over 50 years old
- Smoke
- Have heart disease
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
- Have certain eye problems
Fees for Erectile Dysfunction with Patient First Wellness Center
Initial Visit: $75
Follow-up Visit: $75
If you have questions or concerns, please call (702) 474-6300 for more information.
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