Taking a Look at ED: Peyronie’s Disease

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that is quite common among men of all ages, but it’s also a condition that not many people want to talk about. A very common form of ED called Peyronie’s disease can be painful, as it causes a bend in the penis due to a variety of contributing factors.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the cause of Peyronie’s disease is mostly unknown. However, some researchers believe that the condition may develop after trauma to the penis, such as bending or hitting. This can cause scar tissue build-up and bleeding. While injury will likely be the cause of Peyronie’s disease, the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Clearinghouse (NKUDC) says that this disease often occurs without any injury present.

Pay Attention to the Signs

It’s important to know if you are at risk of ED or Peyronie’s Disease. Some of the factors that seems to play a role in this disease is age and heredity. As men age, their tissue changes can lead to easier injuries and a slower healing process, putting them at greater risk for this condition. Also, men with connective tissue disorders like Dupuytren’s Contracture have a greater chance of developing Peyronie’s disease than others. This disorder refers to a thickening in the hand that makes your fingers pull inwards

Tests that Might be Helpful

If you suspect that you might have Peyronie’s disease, the first step will be to visit your physician. A physical exam will be a good indication if you have this condition, and the exam may involve taking a measurement of your penis. During future visits, this may help to determine if the penis has shortened and also to identify the amount of scar tissue. Based on this information, your doctor may suggest an ultrasound or x-rays to reveal the presence of any possible scar tissue.

Choosing Treatments for ED

If you aren’t experiencing severe pain or symptoms, doctors may choose to wait a while and monitor your condition before they give you medication to solve the problem. If you are experiencing more pain over time, doctors will recommend medicine, injections, or even surgery. Research is inconclusive at this time on whether or not penile injections are effective, but there are two types of medicine that might be prescribed: verapamil and interferon. Verapamil helps to treat high blood pressure, while interferon helps to break down fibrous tissue. Surgery is always reserved as a final option.

Managing Anxiety

Sexual problems can be stressful for many people; men with ED may feel embarrassed or ashamed, and this might make them feel less of a man. This kind of anxiety can lead to other problems too, which is why you should take the necessary steps to avoid this from happening.

You should see a doctor or therapist if you feel you need support or therapy, so that they can help you cope with your condition. It will also be helpful if you can find out more about Peyronie’s disease so that you know what to expect and what the warning signs are.

Author Bio:

Lorien Roux is an editor and copywriter for HealthLine.com, a popular resource that offers expert health advice from qualified professionals and experienced contributors. You can also find Lorien on Google+ or connect with her on Twitter.

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Viagra use in older men linked to increased STD infection risk

The late 90s witnessed the widespread use of erectile dysfunction drugs among men, especially in the middle-aged and older. These drugs were welcomed as treatment for sexual dysfunction among men which translated to increased quality of life.

The most popular of these drugs is Viagra (sildenafil) and it is easily available over-the-counter in many countries and is extensively marketed over the Internet. Estimates showed that since the introduction of Viagra in the US market in 1998, the rate of erectile dysfunction drug use increased. By 2002, about 20% of American men older than 40 have tried taking an erectile dysfunction drug.

The increased use of erectile dysfunction drugs also coincided with an increase rate of HIV infection among men in the same age group. Thus researchers investigated whether there is a link between erectile dysfunction drug use and increased risk for sexually transmitted disease (STD). Insurance records of more than 1.4 American men over 40 were analyzed. The results suggest that

“…those who used ED drugs were more likely to have sexually transmitted diseases than were non-users.”

The study thus suggests that erectile dysfunction drug use is linked to increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), with HIV infection as the most frequently acquired STD, followed by chlamydia. However, STD rates in the general population did not increase. It is thus possible that the use of erectile dysfunction drugs led to increased risky sexual behaviour that could lead to high risk for STD infection.

According to lead author Dr. Anupam B. Jena of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Department of Medicine

“Anyone who does not practice safer sex, no matter their age, can contract an STD. Even though STDs are quite rare among older men — on the order of 1 per 1,000 individuals — we found that STD rates in men who used ED drugs were two to three times higher, both before and after they filled their first prescription.”

It is possible that older men probably belong to a generation who were not well-educated on the topic of safe sex. This is in contrast to younger people whose generation grew up with warnings against the likes of incurable STD infections such as hepatitis C and HIV.

Doctors who are asked to prescribe erectile dysfunction drugs are also urged to discuss the importance of safe sex practices with their patients even with older patients. Remember, nobody is too old to learn and nobody is too old to catch STD.

Heart, Mind and Sex: how they are linked

When we think of erectile dysfunction, we think of infertility and impotence. However, there this sexual disorder actually goes deeper than just plain sex. Depression, sexual dysfunction and heart disease have common pathological mechanisms. At least in men. This is according to a study by researchers at the University of Florence, Italy.

Sexual dysfunction in men, mainly manifesting as erectile dysfunction can cause depressive symptoms. However, as we all know, negative emotions put a strain on the heart and much more so in this patient population when depression can be severe. by a team led by Dr Elisa Bandini (University of Florence, Italy).

According to study leader Dr. Elisa Bandini (to heartwire):

“In a large sample of men with erectile dysfunction, after controlling for other risk factors, we found that those with severe depression had increased risk of cardiovascular events. We know that depression and erectile dysfunction are both risk factors for heart disease, but this study shows that these risk factors are independent of each other.”

But what about obesity, which is also a risk factor for cardiovascular events and erectile dysfunction? The author checked whether obesity is the common denominator. However, although obesity does play a role, factoring it out doesn’t take away the fact that depression can lead to heart disease.

The results indicate that a healthy sexual life may also be linked to a healthy heart and a happy life. But does depression cause erectile dysfunction or is it the sexual dysfunction that brings about depressive symptoms? This is still something to be addressed in further research.

Dr. Bandini explains:

“Our results show that when evaluating patients for sexual dysfunction, doctors should think about general health as well. Erectile dysfunction may be the first disease or depression may be first disease, but we should look beyond these initial conditions to look at secondary consequences such as increased cardiovascular risk. If we treat depression and sexual dysfunction, we may be able to improve cardiovascular outcomes, too.”

Previous studies have identified common mechanisms between cardiovascular disorders and erectile function. German researchers have reported that both disorders are linked to endothelial dysfunction, endothelium being the inner lining of the blood vessels. And now depression also joins in. For such a multidimensional problem, a multidisciplinary approach is needed and cardiologists, psychotherapists and urologists should work together to help patients to improve their health status and quality of life.

“The wellness of the body, of the couple, and of the mind independently affects the cardiovascular fate of men with erectile dysfunction… the need for a regular screening for cardiac morbidity in men with erectile dysfunction is even greater in those patients showing depressive symptoms.”

Diabetes And Sexual Issues

Sex and Diabetes

If you are a young and otherwise healthy adult, you may find that your sex life has been suffering without knowing why. Many adults who have diabetes also have problems in their sex lives. The Journal of the American Medical Association conducted a survey in 1999 and discovered that %43 percent of women with diabetes (who participated in the survey) had some sort of sexual dysfunction. This is compared to %31 of men who participated in the same study.

What Are Issues Women Face?

Many women who have diabetes can find that during their period, their blood glucose levels may be harder to control. Studies had been performed to determine the cause of this fluctuation, but until 2007 there was no hard evidence on what caused the blood sugar to become so hard to control. In 2007, ABC News had released an answer to a question from a diabetic on their website (ABC News) that concludes that hormone levels in the week before, then during a period will cause insulin resistance.

Diabetic women also might have more issues than their non-diabetic counterparts with vaginal dryness. Proper lubrication is very central to enjoying intercourse. Use of a lubricating gel can help ease these issues. Diabetic women can also have less sensation in their genitals because of nerve damage, similar to the damage that causes loss of feeling in the fingers and feet.

Men and Impotence

Trouble attaining and maintaining erection is a problem that most men who are having problems with their sex life report. This can be due to nerve damage, much like the loss of sensation women can experience. It can also be attributed to fear of performance if there have been a loss or failure to achieve an erection in a past sexual episode. One very important factor is proper blood flow, since erections are achieved by a rush of blood to the penis during arousal.

Men should speak with their doctor if they are having issues with erection. Sometimes there can be a blockage in one (or more) of the blood vessels in the penis or to the penis. This not only can cause sexual problems, but other health issues as well. Some other factors to be considered are smoking, which constricts blood vessels throughout the body, and drinking which is infamous for causing erectile dysfunction.

The Afterglow

A diabetic who is taking insulin instead of controlling their diabetes through diet should try, if possible, to check their blood glucose before sex. It has been shown that occasionally sex can lower blood glucose levels. A small snack before and after sex may help counter this.