Definition
Erectile dysfunction is a sexual problem consisting in the inability to maintain or achieve an erection in order to achieve sufficient sexual performance. In other words, erectile dysfunction occurs in men when, after an however intense sexual stimulus, the blood supply to the penis is denied, preventing an erection.
Causes
Sexual arousal is a complex phenomenon involving hormones, brain, emotions, blood vessels and muscles: an alteration in the functionality of one or more of these systems can reflect erectile dysfunction. Among the most common predisposing causes, we remember: alcoholism, anxiety, atherosclerosis, diabetes, drugs (eg for the treatment of prostate cancer), surgery, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, stress, smoking.
Symptoms
The symptoms accompanying erectile dysfunction can be summarized in the difficulty / inability to maintain or obtain an erection, even in the presence of intense sexual arousal; often these signs are accompanied by a reduction in sexual desire, anxiety, stress, loss of esteem in themselves, worry.
Natural Cures
The information on Erectile Dysfunction - Drugs for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Erectile Dysfunction - Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Drugs.
Medicines
Before starting a drug therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it is recommended to consult a doctor: often, in fact, a simple chat with a specialist doctor in the sector, or following a couple psychological therapy, is enough to solve the problem; not surprisingly, erectile dysfunction is often caused by anxiety and worries that afflict the man, and which subsequently spill over into the sexual sphere.
Clearly, before proceeding with any treatment, be it psychological or pharmacological, it is essential to identify the cause that triggers the discomfort; for example, when the causative agent hides in a hormonal alteration, the administration of drugs aimed at blocking the action of excess hormones (responsible for the inhibition of sexual desire) may be necessary to resolve the erectile disorder, or "intake of active ingredients that replace the substances that the body lacks.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against erectile dysfunction, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors: the administration of these drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction is indicated to enhance the effects of nitric oxide, a natural chemical produced by the body to relax the muscles of the penis. These drugs increase blood flow, facilitating the immediate response (erection) to sexual stimulation. 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors are the most used drugs in therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: these active ingredients, inhibiting the 5- enzyme. phosphodiesterases favor the achievement and maintenance of an erection.
To know more…
The 5-phosphodiesterase enzyme is involved in the degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, a molecule that allows smooth muscle relaxation and that promotes the flow of blood into the corpus cavernosum of the penis, facilitating its swelling
It should be remembered that the effect of these drugs is not always immediate and the dosage indicated by the doctor may be ineffective for some patients.
- Sildenafil (eg. Sildenafil Teva, Viagra, Revatio, Vizarsin, Sildenafil Actavis, Sildenafil Ratiopharm): vasoactive substance widely used in therapy to treat physical ailments derived from erectile dysfunction. To benefit from the therapeutic effect of the drug, sexual stimulation is necessary. Indicatively, take 50 mg of the drug as needed, 60 minutes before consuming intercourse; to speed up the therapeutic time, it is recommended to take the drug on an empty stomach. dose can be modified by the doctor, according to the patient's needs (variable dose from 25 to 100 mg) .The drug is also indicated for the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Tadalafil (eg. Tadalafil Lilly, Cialis): for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, intended both as the inability to obtain and maintain an erection, it is recommended to take 10 mg of the drug, at least half an hour before sexual intercourse. In case of failure to respond to treatment, it is possible to increase the dose, after consulting a doctor. Do not take concomitantly with kidney and liver disorders. Again, sexual stimulation is required to achieve the desired effect.
- Vardenafil (eg Vivanza, Levitra): the drug is available in tablets of 5-10-20 mg. It is recommended to take 10 mg of the drug, on an empty stomach or on a full stomach, 25-60 minutes before intercourse. If necessary, the dose can be increased: always consult your doctor before taking the drug or changing the dosage. Do not take more than one tablet per day.
- Avanafil (eg Spedra, Stendra): differs from other PDE5 inhibitors for its rapid onset of action, approximately 15 minutes. Spedra is available in the form of tablets of 50, 100 and 200 mg. The dose normally prescribed by doctors is of 100 mg, to be taken approximately 15 to 30 minutes before sexual intercourse.
Do not take these drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in case of heart disease, history of stroke, hypotension or hypertension, administration of anticoagulants, angina, uncontrolled diabetes.
Smooth muscle relaxants
- Papaverine (eg. Antispasmin Colic): it is a vasodilator substance capable of relaxing smooth muscles, useful for significantly increasing vascular flow in the penile area: for this reason it is sometimes used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The drug is used for intracavernous injection (erection is generated 5-20 minutes after injection). The duration of the erection is about one hour. Consult your doctor.
- Phentolamine (eg Regitine): the drug, not admitted in Italy, is an alpha-adrenergic antagonist administered intramuscularly. However, the action of this drug is indicated when the patient suffering from erectile dysfunction does not benefit from the administration of papaverine. It is possible to combine these two active ingredients to obtain a better therapeutic effect. Consult your doctor.
Testosterone replacement therapy: in some men, erectile dysfunction essentially depends on a lack of testosterone; consequently, a testosterone-based hormone supplementation (eg Testoviron Depot) can improve the condition. For the posology: consult your doctor.
Other drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction
- Apomorphine (eg Apofin): innovative vasoactive substance, which is indicated in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, as well as in the therapy for Parkinson's disease. For the posology: consult your doctor.
- Yohimbine: active substance obtained from the tree Pausinystalia yohimbe, indicated for the improvement of sports performance and for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The active principle is an alkaloid molecule, with aphrodisiac activity. It is recommended to take a dose of 5.4 mg, orally, 3 times a day. You can reduce the dose to 2.7 mg three times a day or gradually increase it to 5.4 mg three times a day.
- Alprostadil or Prostaglandin PGE1 (eg Caverject): the drug (vasodilator) is administered intracavernous or intraurethral for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.For the initial treatment: administer 2.5 mcg of the drug intracavernosally, in the lateral part of the penis; in case of partial or inadequate response, it is possible to proceed with an "additional dose of 2.5 mcg within one" hour of the first one. The dose can eventually be increased gradually, up to a maximum of 10 mcg, based on the erectile response. This posology is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction of a psychogenic, vascular or mixed etiology nature. Furthermore, the active principle is also available in the form of a transurethral device (eg Muse), to be administered by inserting medicated sticks directly into the urethra. The scheduled dosage varies according to the severity of the condition (Indicative doses: 125-250-500-1000 mcg); the drug acts in 10 minutes from application, up to 30-60 minutes, depending on the dose administered. The application of these pharmacological specialties is not immediate, therefore the patient must be adequately instructed by expert personnel before starting therapy .
This drug, unlike the classic 5phosphodiesterase inhibitors, does not create the typical side effects and directly releases the smooth muscle, without necessarily needing a sexual stimulus; for this reason, alprostadil (transurethral device) is enjoying great success in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
