Conventional Treatments of Erectile Dysfunction
Treatment for erectile dysfunction often depends on the probable cause related to the condition. Apart from intake of Testosterone supplements for replenishing hormone deficiency, there are several other methods of treatment too.
Oral treatment - Inhibitor drugs such as sildenafil or Viagra are suggested as trial methods to test the course of treatment. There are 3 different tablets that are currently available and which work with sexual stimulation. Such treatment, can take a number of hours to be effective.
Medication- Alprostadil is either injected or used in cream form into the penis or at times even inserted with a special applicator before sexual intercourse.
Hormone treatment for erectile dysfunction, is also done keeping in mind the dis-balances caused by such problems.
Sometimes a Vacuum device is used to rectify erectile dysfunction by placing the penis in a vacuum cylinder device. It helps draw blood into the penis helping in maintaining an erection. Also referred to as penis pump the device is used just prior to sexual intercourse.
Surgery for correcting erectile dysfunction involves prosthetic implants, whereby artificial rods are inserted inside the penis.
Patients Medical’s Treatments of Erectile Dysfunction
The biggest fear for most men is Impotence, or the inability to have sexual intercourse, is often thought of as a man’s problem, but women can be affected as well. In women, menopause and vaginal dryness may be associated with decreased sexual desire or painful intercourse. In men, impotence is related to erection, ejaculation, and orgasm problems. Other aspects of impotence are a reduction in sexual enjoyment and sexual desire or libido. Advancing age generally reduces sexual functioning. The physical changes associated with aging, increased presence of diseases, and increased drug use combine to cause this reduction in sexual activity. For both men and women, approximately 80% of cases of impotence can be traced to a disease or a drug. In the other 20% of cases, psychological factors like depression or anxiety can play a role.
Testosterone, insulin, adrenal and thyroid hormones are some of the key players that determine the health of your heart, the size of your waistline and your ability to function well in the boardroom and the bedroom. Although the interplay of hormones is complex, there is a simple underlying principle: When levels of one are suboptimal, the others also suffer. The answer to the riddle lies in weight control, not by following fad diets, but by understanding a few key cause-and-effect relationships and acting accordingly. Here’s a look:
Insulin: This hormone holds a key to body weight, risk for diabetes, heart disease and other conditions. Here’s how it works: After you eat, food is converted to blood sugar (glucose). The pancreas then produces insulin to deliver the glucose to cells to be used as energy.
High-sugar foods and drinks lead to skyrocketing glucose levels, which shift insulin production into high gear. When this high-sugar/high-insulin cycle repeats frequently, cells become overwhelmed with blood sugar and stop accepting it, a condition technically called insulin resistance. Weight gain, increased risk for heart disease and diabetes are among the results.
Thyroid: Hormones produced by the thyroid gland regulate metabolism, and iodine is a key nutrient required to produce suffi cient amounts of hormones. Toxins in today’s environment and reduced levels of naturally occurring iodine in our food result in many American men (and women) having an underactive thyroid or slow metabolism, contributing to insulin resistance and obesity.
Adrenal Hormones: Produced by the adrenal gland, these hormones are necessary for healthy function of the thyroid gland and stable energy levels.
Testosterone: Excess weight, lack of exercise, insulin resistance and inadequate levels of thyroid and adrenal hormones all contribute to low levels of testosterone. In turn, low testosterone leads to further weight gain, low energy, low libido and other sexual difficulties.
The Hormone Solution: "Weight loss is the most important factor, because when you lose weight, you improve insulin sensitivity, sparing the burden on your other hormone systems," says Gulati. Cholesterol and blood pressure generally improve at the same time.
The Heart Solution: Our doctors also recommend taking CoQ10, L-carnitine, magnesium and D-ribose to support energy production in the heart. These supplements feed mitochondria, specific components within our cells that are responsible for generating energy. Mitochondria are more concentrated in the heart than in any other organ, so their optimal function is critical. "When I treat men who have heart disease with mitochondrial support, I hear from them and their wives that their libido and erectile potency improve as well," says Dr. Gulati.
Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction
Healthy insulin function and weight control Eat hormone-free (preferably organic and free-range) lean meat, fish, nuts, fermented soy foods, such as tofu and miso, and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Limit alcoholic drinks, breads and pastas. Avoid trans fats and sodas and don’t add sugar to tea or coffee. Eat desserts rarely, if at all. Walk at least a mile a day and strength train twice per week.
Healthy testosterone levels Exercise regularly and participate in any sports you enjoy, such as golf, tennis, skiing or fishing. Also, eat food that keeps blood-sugar levels in check. And keep the other hormones in good shape.
A healthy heart
Try the following supplement regimen:
- CoQ10, up to 100mg daily.
- L-carnitine, 1g daily.
- Magnesium, 400mg daily. Look for magnesium citrate, glycinate or taurate.
- D-ribose, 5–10g daily.
Support adrenal function
Try the following supplement regimen:
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC), 500–600mg daily.
- Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), 100–200mg daily.
- Selenium, 100–200mcg daily.
A healthy thyroid
Seaweed supplements or kelp as seasoning: Use enough to get 1mg of iodine daily. In place of conventional refined salt: Season food with sea salt, which is rich in minerals
Next Steps:
While you may find this medical information useful, as the next step we strongly recommend that you make an appointment to see one of our physicians to ensure that your health issues are properly addressed.
To schedule an appointment with our physicians, please call our patient coordinator at 1-212-679-9667, send the form below or an email to: info@patientsmedical.com. We are currently accepting new patients and look forward to being of assistance.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.
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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009