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Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, is defined as the inability to achieve or sustain an erection that is satisfactory for the purpose of sexual intercourse. This is a common sexual condition that affects most men at some point of time in their lives. It can become a problem, however, if it persists over a long period of time. Your doctor will be able to diagnose erectile dysfunction based on the following information.

Medical history
Your medical as well as sexual history helps to determine the nature and degree of impotence you suffer from. A detailed medical history can reveal the diseases that might have contributed to erectile dysfunction. Disclosing your previous and current sexual history will help your doctor to determine whether your problem is associated with libido, erection, ejaculation or orgasm. If you have a history of taking prescription or recreational drugs, there might be a chemical cause of your erectile dysfunction. The effects of medications are responsible for about 25% of impotence cases. This can be resolved by asking your doctor to prescribe alternative medications or altering the dosage to a safer level.

Laboratory testing
Lab tests are often used to diagnose impotence. You might be required to get tested for systemic diseases such as urinalysis, blood count, lipid as well as measuring liver enzymes and creatinine. If you suffer from low libido, measuring testosterone levels in the blood can reveal problems in your endocrine system.

Physical examination
Systemic problems can be detected by a simple physical examination. For instance, if your penis is unable to respond normally to certain kinds of touching, there might be a problem in the nervous system. You have a hormonal problem if there are secondary sex characteristics including hair pattern. If there is an aneurysm in your abdomen, a problem in the blood circulatory is the most likely cause of erectile dysfunction.

Psycho-social examination
A psycho-social examination for diagnosing erectile dysfunction consists of a questionnaire and interview. Your sexual partner might also be interviewed to allow your doctor to understand the perceptions and expectations involved in your sexual experiences. Psychological factors such as guilt, stress, depression, low self esteem, anxiety and fear of failure in bed account for about 10-20% of impotence cases.

Erectile dysfunction treatment usually consists of prescription medications and/or therapeutic counselling with a qualified psychologist.

There are many causes responsible for ED problem in men like physical causes, effect of certain type of medications and psychological factors. Among the many causes behind erectile dysfunction, psychological reasons contribute to about 10-20% of all the ED cases in men.

In many cases, psychological and physical causes overlap resulting into the said condition. According to experts, psychological problems are responsible for ED problem in younger men. Anxiety, depression, low self esteem, stress are few of the psychological causes of ED. Anxiety and depression are two emotional disorders which are most commonly found to be associated with psychological impotence or erectile dysfunction.

Performance anxiety is a fear of not being able to satisfy partner. This anxiety constricts the flow of blood in and out of penis resulting in erection difficulties.

Like anxiety, stress also results in consistent ED. Stress can be due to problems at work place, money related problems, relationship problem which prohibit man to perform well during sexual activity.

Depression, another strong factor associated with ED can result in loss of libido and sexual desire. Certain medications used to treat depression can further result in erectile dysfunction.

Low self esteem can be the result of previous bad sexual experiences or prior ED experiences or non sexual related experiences.

It is very necessary to reach to the exact psychological cause behind the problem so as to find exact measure to rectify the problem. Addressing your problems and eliminating risk factors responsible for it is the key to regain control over lost erections.

The FDA approved erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment drugs such as: Viagra, Levitra and Cialis belong to the same class of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors; hence, these drugs essentially have the same mechanism of action. In addition, their contraindications and side effects are also quite similar.

Though all the 3 ED drugs – Viagra, Levitra and Cialis – are proven to be safe as well as effective in numerous clinical trials, you need to adhere to their safety warnings and precautions. These are serious prescription medicines and their use can prove dangerous if you take it against the advice of your doctor.

Precautions you need to keep in mind while using ED drugs

• ED drugs should not be used by men with normal sexual function
• Children below 18 years of age and women should not use ED drugs
• You should not use ED drugs if you have any known allergy to any component of the ED drug you intent to use
• Always use ED drugs after consulting a doctor and in the dosage recommended by your doctor

Contraindications associated with ED drugs

• ED drugs should not be used by men who suffer from certain medical conditions or who are using certain medicines. Discussed below are some of the contraindications associated with ED drugs.
• ED drugs should never be used by men taking any form of nitrate medications often advised for chest pain
• Men using alpha-blocker medicines should use ED drugs with caution
• ED drugs should not be used by men in whom sexual activity is inadvisable because of their underlying cardiovascular status
• ED drugs should not be used by men suffering from severe hepatic impairment (decreased liver function) or severe impairment in renal function
• Men with low blood pressure or those who have had a stroke or heart attack recently should not use ED drugs

Most men nowadays need little or no introduction to erectile dysfunction treatments. This once common condition is now out in the open and the availability, legal or otherwise, of erectile dysfunction drugs is widespread. However, what many men ignore or overlook is the side effects, precautions and drug reactions that are caused by these treatments.

Levitra is considered a safe drug and those people who experience side effects with Viagra and Cialis often find Levitra safer to use. However, this does not mean that it is free from side effects and adverse reactions.

Levitra
Levitra causes certain side effects which are mild to moderate in nature and go away with time. The majority of the men, who take Levitra experience no side effects. Some of the men who reported certain mild side effects, experienced:

• Headaches
• Flushing
• Rhinitis
• Dyspepsia

Some of the other rare adverse events experienced by men using Levitra are:

• Sinusitis
• Flu like symptoms
• Dizziness
• Increased Creatine Kinase
• Nausea

Viagra was the first available oral treatment for male impotence. It is available in the form of a pill that is easy to take and remains active in the body for about four hours. Before buying Viagra, you should obtain a medical prescription from a doctor.

What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?
The best thing to do initially is to book an appointment with a doctor. You can start the conversation with a doctor by asking about Viagra and whether you can take it or not? The doctor will more than likely question your medical history in detail as well as your current condition simply to get a thorough understanding of what you are suffering from. The doctor will then try to diagnose the exact cause of your impotence problem. If you are found an eligible candidate for taking Viagra, then the doctor may issue a medical prescription, which allows you to buy Viagra from any local licensed pharmacy.

Most men are embarrassed to talk about their sexual problems, even with a doctor. They live with this condition for many years and suffer silently. There is no need to suffer anymore if you have impotence as there are effective treatments, including Viagra that can easily be bought online. There are many reliable online sources that provide professional services and sell Viagra online with proper prescription methods.

Does Viagra work for all?
Viagra is not for everyone. It is prescribed by the doctor to only those men who suffer from erectile dysfunction and depending upon their suitability for this pill. It may not suit those men who are allergic to Sildenafil, the active ingredient of Viagra, or its inactive ingredients. For men that cannot take Viagra, there are other suitable treatments that a doctor will be able to suggest after a consultation.

An important precaution when taking Viagra is that it should not be combined with any form of nitrate medication, which is generally prescribed to men for treating chest pain. The combination of Viagra and nitrates may drop the blood pressure of a patient to unsafe levels.

Erectile problems can sometimes be very embarrassing and troublesome for men. There is a common myth that men are always ready to have sex and can achieve erection anytime but the fact is that men sexuality is more complex as compared to women.

Though there are several factors which influence man’s ability to keep erection. It might be stress, medications, fatigue, relationship problems, performance anxiety but stress is one major factor which is often neglected or overlooked. A man’s erections can be affected by stress or pressure from work, family or anything else. Penis gets erect due to sexual or mental excitement along with physical excitement and in presence of mental pressure, physical stimulation might not be enough to get an erection or to maintain it. High levels of stress can also affect the man in physiological ways, decreasing blood flow to the penis.

Also, fear of not being able to achieve an erection (performance anxiety) can cause an impotence problem. When a man thinks that he is not going to get a erection, his body may respond to this situation by moving blood away from his penis, thus making his erection go away.

Though stress is not considered to be major cause of ED, it is more of physical problem. Learning relaxation techniques, cognitive therapy and exercise are all ways to reduce stress. With a reduction of stress, erectile dysfunction will most often resolve itself on its own. By learning how to talk about sex, couples can reduce the amount of stress in the bedroom and concentrate on the act.

There are several sexual health problems affecting men. Most of these health problems are caused by physical reasons and some are caused by psychological, societal and environmental factors. Some of the common male sexual health problems are:

• Penis disorders like priapism and Peyronie’s disease
• Balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis)
• Allergic reactions like irritation, itching, thrush and rash
• Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, herpes and syphilis
• Impotence and erectile dysfunction

Various sexual health problems in men
Priapism is a condition wherein a painful erection lasts for more than four hours. Peyronie’s disease is a condition wherein a plaque or a hard lump forms on the penis. Balanitis and infections occur due to poor hygiene. Impotence is a sexual desire disorder caused by several reasons and erectile dysfunction is one of the problems most commonly found in impotent men. Erectile dysfunction is a condition wherein men find it difficult to achieve an erection or maintain it. Several factors lead to impotence or erectile dysfunction such as age, diabetes, smoking, performance anxiety and depression.

Introduction to erectile dysfunction or impotence
If you find difficulty in achieving an erection or in maintaining it, due to any of the factors mentioned above, you can get several treatments for it. The most common treatment for erectile dysfunction is Viagra. This oral medication helps you achieve and maintain an erection, irrespective of the cause of your problem. It means that whether your erection problems are caused by physical problems such as diabetes or psychological problems such as performance anxiety, Viagra can help you solve the problem. Other medications besides Viagra are Cialis and Levitra; they too belong to the same class as Viagra and work in the same manner.

Consult a doctor and find out which of these oral medications are safe for you and which ones will work the best for you.

Though there are several causes of impotence in men including psychological, physiological and lifestyle causes. But Treatment of many other medical conditions can also interfere with normal erections. Prescription medicines used to treat these medical conditions may also lead to or worsen Impotence. Medicines can also affect your libido, or cause problems with ejaculation and orgasm. So impotence information would be incomplete without knowing causes of erectile dysfunction in this category.

1. Antidepressants

Though depression is one psychological cause of impotence in men, certain antidepressant medications can also result in sexual dysfunction. If you are taking am antidepressant prescription medication or over-the-counter medication, regularly, please consult with your physician.

2. Chemotherapy/Radiation Therapy

Patients undergoing surgery or radiation therapy for cancer of the prostate, bladder, colon or rectum are at high risk for the development of Impotence.

3. Antihistamine medications

An antihistamine is a medicine used to treat allergies and hypersensitive reactions.

4. High blood pressure medicines (e g. Atenolol, Propanolol and Tenorium, HydroDiuril and Lasix etc)

Among the anti-hypertensive medications, thiazides are the most common cause of ED, followed by beta-blockers. Alpha-blockers are, in general, less likely to cause this problem.

5. Chemotherapy and hormonal medications

These include antiandrogens (Casodex, Flutamide, Nilutamide). They function by decreasing the production of testosterone in the testes and adrennal glands. The decrease in testosterone results in sexual dysfunction.

For more, visit impotence information.

Some of the most commonly occurring male health problems are impotence and male pattern baldness. While impotence usually strikes elderly men, mostly in their 50s and 60s, male pattern baldness may occur earlier and can be noticed in men who are still in their 30s. Both impotence and male pattern baldness can reduce a man’s self-esteem and may affect his social and personal life.

Male pattern baldness and its treatment
Male pattern baldness also called androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of baldness in men. In this condition, hair is lost in a well-defined pattern beginning above both temples. Hair may also thin at the crown or the head. If not treated, male pattern baldness could lead to partial or complete baldness. Male pattern baldness is caused due to elevated levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in some men. DHT is the active form of male sex hormone testosterone. Most effective and popular treatment for male pattern baldness is the use of oral medication Propecia (Finasteride). Regular use of Propecia checks the production of DHT and helps in stopping further hair loss and also assists in new hair growth.

Other methods of male pattern baldness include use of topical treatments like shampoos and oils and hair transplants.

Impotence and its treatment
Impotence or erectile dysfunction in men is defined as the consistent inability to achieve or maintain erections for satisfactory sexual activity. Impotence is a commonly occurring condition that affects most men at some point in their life. Men in theirs 60s are more likely to suffer from impotence than men in their 40s. Causes of impotence could be physiological such as high blood pressure, hear ailment, diabetes etc or psychological like performance anxiety, depression etc.

One of the most effective and popular treatment for impotence is the use of oral erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. One needs to take these medicines as needed unto an hour before sexual activity. These medicines facilitate firm and prolonged erections in response to sexual stimulation and help men with ED to enjoy successful sexual intercourse.

Other methods of impotence treatment include use of vacuum pumps, injections and penile implants. These methods are understandably inconvenient and therefore not as popular as oral medications like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

Since the introduction and launch of Viagra blue pills, it has become the top-selling medication worldwide for the treatment of impotence in men. The only male impotence medication for three years, Viagra pills are still the most popular and have helped millions of couples to overcome sexual problems in relationship with success ratio of approximately 75%.

Viagra, the diamond shaped blue pill, makes the person more confident which further helps in the treatment process. Viagra is suitable for both types of erection problems, either in achieving an erection or keeping erections. Moreover, Viagra helps men in attaining harder erections which provides sexually satisfying experience to partners. Viagra can be taken by men with health issues like heart diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Proven record of Viagra makes it the most successful impotence treatment till date. Few important things for the usage of Viagra include:

1. Should be taken 1 hour prior to sexual activity.
2. Comes in dosage of 25mg, 50mg and 100mg.
3. Effects of Viagra last for up to 4 hours which provides flexibility to plan sexual activity.
4. The blue pill may cause occasional side effects such as headache, flushing, fainting, vision changes or priapism, among others.

Apart from erectile dysfunction, Viagra has been found useful for other purposes as well like:

• Pulmonary hypertension
• Altitude sickness
• Use in sports
• Prevention of plants wilting
• Jet lag