Erectile Dysfunction Cures

How to Cure Erectile Dysfunction Without Special Pills

Despite the fact that there are seemingly dozens of various cures now available to counteract male impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, this embarrassing condition may not require special medications or herbal treatments to cure. Depending on the cause of the problem, it is possible that modifications to a man's lifestyle may be all that is needed to solve his erectile dysfunction problem.

Of course, there may be many different factors, both physical and psychological that may be at the root of an impotence condition, but studies have shown that a large number of cases are caused by factors that may be treated quite simply. That is because three of the leading causes of erectile dysfunction are tobacco, alcohol and prescription drugs.

One of the effects that tobacco smoking has on the human body is to reduce the ability of the vascular system (blood vessels) to circulate blood throughout the body. Because male potency requires a good supply of blood to a man's sex organ, smoking may be a contributing factor of impotence. If that is the case, then quitting smoking is likely to solve the problem.

The reason why alcohol can contribute to erectile dysfunction is because prolonged drinking can lead to the lowering of a man's testosterone level. Without a sufficiently high quantity of this important male hormone in his system, a lowering of libido and sexual stamina may result. Once again, the symptoms could be alleviated by a lifestyle alteration in the form of a change in his drinking habits.

Prescription drugs may also be a factor that causes impotence, especially if a man is taking certain medications for conditions such as high blood pressure, heart conditions or depression. If a man falls into any one of those categories, a discussion with his doctor about adjusting his prescriptions may be all that is needed to solve his impotence problem.

Even if a man does not smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol excessively or take problematic prescription drugs, a poor diet, sedentary habits or other unhealthy lifestyle conditions could be triggering his impotence. For overall good health, especially for a man who is approaching middle age or older, it is important to take a good vitamin supplement on a daily basis and get at least thirty minutes of exercise at least three times per week. To do so will help combat not only erectile dysfunction but also any number of potential health risks.

It is only after all of the above factors have been ruled out that a man may find he could benefit by taking either herbal or medicinal based products to cure his erectile dysfunction.


How to Get Rid of Erectile Dysfunction

Natural Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

Yohimbe, mentioned in the Medical Treatment section, is a folk remedy from Africa that dates back centuries. According to a study done by Dr. E. Ernst entitled "Yohimbine for erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials" has found some evidence to suggest that if the ingredients claimed to be active in Yohimbe are not providing relief from erectile dysfunction, then placebo effects are.

Fava beans and fava bean sprouts have been suggested to be aphrodisiacs and natural erection enhancers because they contain a compound called L-dopa, which can induce erections, painfully if the dose is strong enough. A normal serving of 8 oz. is suggested before the "big night." Fava bean sprouts apparently contain a more concentrated amount of L-dopa than the beans themselves.

Ginko biloba is recommended by the University of Maryland Medical Center as both a stand alone treatment for erectile dysfunction, and as a complementary supplement to Papaverine, a drug commonly prescribed to help improve blood flow. Ginko is generally used to improve blood flow to the brain by relaxing blood vessels. If it can be assumed that ginko eases blood flow to the brain than it should do the same for the male penis.

The physiology of an erectile dysfunction, commonly shortened to ED, lurks somewhere in the network of systems vascular, hormonal, and psychological. Somewhere in there, something has gone wrong. Though the problem of erectile dysfunction is always vascular in nature (ie. a shortage of blood to the penis), it is usually a combination of hormonal imbalance and psychological issues that stress the vascular system or prohibit it from functioning correctly. Hormonal changes occur with age. This is why boys in their teens and early twenties have a hard time keeping it down, while men from the age of 40 and older have a hard time keeping it up. Couple a man’s waning prowess and sexual interest (caused by changes in hormone levels) with the loss of confidence psychologically associated with the “first time” he couldn’t get it up, and you’ve got yourself a full-blown erectile dysfunction. In other words, low levels of male hormones and low self-esteem are often the precursors for male sexual dysfunction.

In this article I will first discuss non-chemical actions that may help cure erectile dysfunction, followed by a section dedicated to possible medical treatments for erectile dysfunction and other male sexual dysfunctions. Natural erectile dysfunction treatments are, of course, found in the right sidebar.
Of course your first step in curing yourself of an erectile dysfunction should be to see a doctor and be as upfront about the problem as possible.

The thing is, there has been a direct correlation made between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, which means that having sex could actually be a more dangerous activity for some men without them knowing it. Treating a sexual dysfunction without knowing whether cardiovascular disease is an issue can be a life threatening proposition. So, before you do anything, go in and get some tests done. Get a clean bill of health from the doctor and then you can start erectile dysfunction treatment.


Your doctor will tell you that to get rid of erectile dysfunction you have to start treating your body better. In a study entitled “Effect of lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men” it was concluded that increased physical activity complemented by a healthy diet cured 31 percent of men with erectile dysfunction. That’s an amazing number if you know anything about cure rate statistics. And you know, I don’t like running any more than the next guy, but I do love a good workout on the weight machines. Any kind of exercise (anaerobic or aerobic) coupled with a good diet is your best bet for not disappointing your partner during a roll in the hay.

Your doctor may take you off certain medications to help cure your erectile dysfunction. A study entitled “Drug-induced mal sexual dysfunction” concluded that of the 12 most commonly prescribed medications on the market today, 8 of those medications list “impotence” as a side-effect of the drug. Perhaps the most common problems with impotence are reported in men taking SSRIs, a very common class of anti-depressant drugs. This doesn't’t just apply to legal prescription drugs either. Nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, and heroine all negatively impact male sexual libido after extended use.

Speaking of Nicotine, you should probably quit smoking if you want to cure your erectile dysfunction. There is a chemical in our bodies called nitric oxide which works by relaxing the stuff that helps blood flow into your penis, allowing you to get an erection. With low levels of this chemical present in your penis, it is often quite difficult to get an erection. And guess who has lower levels of this chemical than anyone else? Smokers, that’s right. So, if you want to get it up, you’re going to have to give it up—smoking, that is.

Sexual therapy, and a boost of self-confidence, is all many men need to cure their erectile dysfunction. As I mentioned in the introduction, the psychological factor is perhaps the most important factor in male sexual dysfunction. After experiencing one or more failures, some psychological issues may crop up that prevent a man from ever getting an erection again. This is what we call psychologic impotence, a kind of mental-sexual funk men can get in if they become accustomed to sexual failure. If you don’t think you can overcome the mental funk yourself, find a sex therapist.
Medical Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

There are several forms of male sexual dysfunction therapies. These include anything from drugs like Levitra and Cialis to injections of drugs into the penis to vacuum-style penis pumps to penis prosthetics. All of these are considered medical erectile dysfunction therapies, however archaic they may be. Below I will describe medical treatments for the three forms of male sexual dysfunction:

First line treatments for Erectile Dysfunction are usually oral prescriptions of the PDE-5 inhibitors Sildenafil (Viagra), Vardenafil (Levitra), and Tadalafil (Cialis).

The two latter drugs are becoming more popular than the former. Drug therapy success rates for all three of these drugs range anywhere from 50% to 80%. These are good numbers, but keep in mind that for people suffering from Psychogenic sexual dysfunction (ie. lack of sexual confidence) the success rates were much lower. You must also keep in mind that cardiovascular health is a requirement to be eligible for treatment with these drugs.

There are two classes of drugs that are used to treat Ejaculatory Dysfunctions in men, and those are SSRIs and (clomipramine). You may remember that I suggested taking yourself off of SSRIs to cure erectile dysfunction. Well, the opposite is true if you want to get rid of premature ejaculations. SSRIs tend to delay or retard orgasm, making them useful for treatment of ejaculatory dysfunctions.

For Psychogenic or Hormonal Sexual Dysfunction, I’m afraid medical science doesn’t have much to offer. Two controversial therapies include Yohimbine, whose efficacy is based solely on what we call the placebo effect, and androgen therapy, which is the injection or topical application of the male hormone testosterone. The injection of testosterone is nothing new, and is more commonly referred to as “steroid use.”

If you decide to choose drug therapy, under no circumstances should you obtain and consume any medication without an examination and authorization by your doctor. Failure to do so could result in an untimely death.


Erectile Dysfunction Lower in Men Who Have Intercourse Frequently

Having intercourse more often may help prevent the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). A study published in the July 2008 issue of The American Journal of Medicine reports that researchers have found that men who had intercourse more often were less likely to develop erectile dysfunction.

Analyzing a five-year study of 989 men aged 55 to 75 years from Pirkanmaa, Finland, the investigators observed that men reporting intercourse less than once per week at baseline had twice the incidence of erectile dysfunction compared with those reporting intercourse once per week. Further, the risk of erectile dysfunction was inversely related to the frequency of intercourse.

Other factors that may affect the incidence of erectile dysfunction, such as age, chronic medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease and depression), body mass index and smoking were included in the analysis of the data.

Erectile dysfunction incidence was 79 cases per 1000 in men who had reported sexual intercourse less than once per week, dropping to 32 cases per 1000 in men reporting intercourse once per week and falling further to 16 per 1000 in those reporting intercourse 3 or more times per week.

In addition, the frequency of morning erections predicted the development of complete erectile dysfunction, with an approximate 2.5-fold risk among those with less than 1 morning erection per week compared with 2 to 3 morning erections per week
Writing in the article, Juha Koskimäki, MD, PhD, Tampere University Hospital, Department of Urology, Tampere, Finland, states; “Regular intercourse has an important role in preserving erectile function among elderly men, whereas morning erection does not exert a similar effect. Continued sexual activity decreases the incidence of erectile dysfunction in direct proportion to coital frequency.”

The study clearly indicates that regular intercourse protects men from the development of erectile dysfunction, which may, in turn, impact general health and quality of life. The investigators advise clinicians to support the sexual activity of their patients.

Dont's Use Sexual Dysfunction Products With Undeclared Ingredients
The Department of Health strongly urged members of the public not to consume products for managing male impotence from unknown sources following notification from the Hospital Authority of two patients seriously affected by this kind of products found to have contained undeclared ingredients.

A DH spokesman said the affected men, aged 76 and 87 respectively, were found collapsed in late May. Both patients once required intensive care in Mainland China and Hong Kong respectively. They are now under treatment in public hospitals. One of them was still in serious condition and the other in stable condition. Their urine specimen found the presence of undeclared drug ingredients glibenclamide and sildenafil.

Investigation showed that both of them had taken a kind of brick red rhomboid tablets. Laboratory tests on the tablets found at their homes were confirmed to have contained glibenclamide and sildenafil.

Further enquiries revealed that the 76-year-old man had also taken an unnamed blue/white capsule while the 87-year-old had taken an unlabelled blue rhomboid drug. Both of these drugs were found to have contained sildenafil.

In the past two weeks, DH received notification of two other similar cases involving patients taking brown rhomboid tablets. They claimed that the drug that they had taken named "Jiu Bian Wang"(???).

The spokesman said that "Jiu Bian Wang"was not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong. DH's earlier laboratory tests on "Jiu Bian Wang"revealed the presence of sildenafil and a high dosage of glibenclamide. DH's further investigation into these cases is on-going.

Today's notification brings the number of cases related to unregistered virility products to a total of 58, affecting 56 men aged between 39 and 87. Among them, two patients passed away.

The spokesman said that glibenclamide is a diabetic drug. It could cause nausea and gastro-intestinal upset. Improper use may cause a significant fall in blood sugar level with serious health consequence and even death

The side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance of Hong Kong, products containing sildenafil or glibenclamide must be registered before sale and can only be sold on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.

The spokesman urged the public not to consume virility products of unknown or unclear sources, because the efficacy, safety and quality of such could not be assured, the spokesman said.

"Members of the public and the trade who have in their possession similar products are urged to stop consuming or trading them immediately," he said.
They should destroy and dispose of the products or submit them to the Department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.
"People who have problems of sexual dysfunction should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice or medication," the spokesman said.


Erectile Dysfunction Warning Sign For Heart Risk

Two newest studies suggest that in men with diabetes erectile dysfunction is a serious warning sign of developing major heart diseases.
A study by Hong Kong researchers examined 2306 men with diabetes and no signs of heart disease. They found that those with erectile dysfunction are 58% more likely to develop cardiac condition within four years than those with no sexual problems.
Another study by Italian researchers examined 291 men with diabetes and early coronary heart disease. They found that those with sexual problems are twice as likely to develop major cardiac conditions and even stroke than those with no sexual problems.

Researchers already recognize several factor putting at risk both heart and sexual health. Among these factors they especially mention smoking, cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Another latest study also found found that drugs for erectile dysfunction treatment, such as Viaga, can improve heart blood flow. This research comes with a new knowledge that erectile dysfunction is a significant warning sign of cardiovascular risk, even when other risk factors are properly treated and controlled.

Two researches urge that men with diabetes and erectile dysfunction need a special and aggressive treatment to cut risk factors for heart risk, because these men have the highest risk for developing cardiovascular problems.
Among men who previously failed to achieve erections on Viagra, Levitra and Cialis type tablets, 40% achieved an erection sufficient for penetration during sexual intercourse after given a single dose of a novel treatment called TriMix gel.
Erectile Dysfunction Predicts Coronary Heart Disease in Type 2 Diabetes
The current issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has two interesting studies in the relationship of Erectile Dysfunction and Coronary Heart

Disease in men with Type 2 Diabetes.

Below is the abstract of the study.

We examined the predictive power of erectile dysfunction (ED) on coronary heart disease (CHD) events in Chinese men with type 2 diabetes.
Subjects with diabetes are prone to develop cardiovascular complications. Erectile dysfunction is strongly associated with CHD in cross-sectional studies, but prospective data are lacking.

A consecutive cohort of men with no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease underwent comprehensive assessments for diabetic complications. Erectile dysfunction was defined according to the definition of the National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference 1992. Coronary heart disease events were censored with centralized territory-wide hospital databases in 2005.

Of 2,306 subjects (age: 54.2 12.7 years; follow-up: 4.0 [range 1.7 to 7.1] years), 26.7% had ED at baseline. The incidence of CHD events was higher in men with ED than those without (19.7/1,000 person-years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.3 to 25.2 person-years vs. 9.5/1,000 person-years, 95% CI 7.4 to 11.7 person-years). Men who developed CHD events were older; had a higher frequency of ED and microvascular complications; had longer duration of diabetes; and had higher blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio but lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and estimated glomerular filtration rate than those without CHD events. Erectile dysfunction remained an independent predictor for CHD events (hazard ratio 1.58, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.30, p = 0.018) after adjustment for other covariates along with age, duration of disease, and use of antihypertensive agents and albuminuria.

In type 2 diabetic men without clinically overt cardiovascular disease, the presence of erectile dysfunction predicts a new onset of Coronary Heart Disease events. Symptoms of erectile dysfunction should be independently sought to identify high-risk subjects for comprehensive cardiovascular assessments.


Warning Against Unauthorized Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Products

Health Canada is warning consumers not to use Vigoureux, an unauthorized product promoted for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The product may pose serious health risks, as it was found to contain the prescription drug sildenafil, which is not indicated on the label and should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions, including those with heart problems, those taking heart medications, or those at risk for strokes, may be at an increased risk of serious health effects associated with the use of this product.

Use of sildenafil by patients with heart disease can result in serious cardiovascular side-effects such as sudden cardiac death, heart attack, stroke, low blood pressure, chest pain and abnormal heartbeat. Additionally, use of sildenafil may be associated with other side-effects including vision loss, seizure, sudden decrease or loss of hearing, dizziness, prolonged erection, headache, flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion and abdominal pain. Sildenafil should not be used by individuals taking any type of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerin) due to the risk of developing potentially life-threatening low blood pressure.

Vigoureux is labelled as distributed by International in Montreal, Quebec and labelled in French only. The product may be available at retail outlets across Canada. Health Canada advises retailers to remove Vigoureux from their shelves, and consumers should return the product to the place of purchase. Canadians who have used Vigoureux and are concerned about their health should consult with a health care professional.

Health Canada advises consumers not to use Vigoureux or any other unauthorized products promoted for the treatment of erectile dysfunction that are advertised as "all natural", as such products may contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients that may pose serious risks to health. Consumers who are concerned about erectile dysfunction should consult with their health care professional to discuss appropriate and authorized treatments.

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Drug Identification Number for Homeopathic Medicine (DIN-HM) on the label.

Healthy Solution For Men Suffering From Erectile Dysfunction

For men tired of taking drugs for the common, and often devastating, medical condition of erectile dysfunction, The Penis Diet offers an informative how-to solution encompassing a safe, natural wellness plan and positive lifestyle changes to enhance performance for the long term.

For men who are not quite convinced that drugs like VIAGRA are the best way to achieve an erection, The Penis Diet offers something they can really sink their teeth into. This informative how-to book offers a natural, safe wellness plan and positive lifestyle changes as an alternative to erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs.
Co-authored by Damon Z. Cozamanis, D.C. and Marc D. Grobman, D.O., F.A.C.P., The Penis Diet, offers solutions that, unlike ED drugs, target the actual cause of problem and promote long-term health of the penis.

"Drugs only address the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, and come with a host of unwanted side-effects," said Grobman, a board-certified internist. "In the Penis Diet, we offer a comprehensive plan that addressed one of the main problems associated with ED-lack of adequate blood flow to the penis.

"Instead of taking a pill for a quick fix, we provide answers that do more than just improve sexual performance for a few hours. What we present in this book can also bring about positive changes in other aspects of life, such as self image, relationships and job performance -- in and out of the bedroom."

After just a few months following the recommendations in The Penis Diet, men will start to notice longer and firmer erections and enjoy more powerful orgasms. Beyond being a safe, natural approach for preventing or reversing ED, the book is advised for men of all ages who are concerned about the health of their penis and want to prolong their physical enjoyment.

The approach Drs. Cozamanis and Grobman took in writing The Penis Diet reinforces the lifestyle-change component that is critical for long-term results. Although the book does contain dietary suggestions and plans, it also educates the reader on other physical and emotional conditions that may contribute to the problem, gives insights into the "how and why" of treatment options that really work, and guides the reader on how to integrate the best changes into his sexual relationships.
"ED is such a sensitive subject, and many patients go for the quickest and least conspicuous solution ... which is not necessarily the best," said Cozamanis. "While we respect the sensitivity and the serious nature of ED, we also took an upbeat tone in presenting medical facts and recommendations. By lightening the mood, we help the reader to relax with the subject matter and become open to the choices he has to improve the situation."

At less than 75 pages, The Penis Diet is sufficiently informative, yet doesn't lead the reader through a confusing maze of medical terminology. It offers clear and encouraging steps and considerations ranging from the causes of ED, cures and prevention, to "how to feed your penis," exercises, myths and facts.