Complain about a product or service

The Healthy Geezer

What To Do about Erectile Dysfunction

By Fred Cicetti

May 27, 2007

• Feds Seize Unapproved Erectile Dysfunction Drugs • FDA Warns Against Using 'Blue Steel' and 'Hero' Products • FDA Approves Daily Cialis Dosage • FDA Warns Consumers About Chinese 'Health' Supplements • Study Finds Viagra Increases Release of 'Love Hormone' • Erectile Dsyfunction Affects All Ages • What To Do about Erectile Dysfunction • Impotence Affects 18 Million American Men • "Smiling Bob" Not Smiling Anymore • Public Citizen Wants Stronger Blindness Warning on Erectile Drugs • Impotence Carries Increased Risk of Heart Problems • Viagra's Not For Playing Around • Actra-RX May Be Dangerous, FDA Warns ---

Q. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I’m getting low scores in the husband department, if you get my drift. Is this happening just because I’m getting older?

A. First, you have no reason to be embarrassed. And I definitely get your drift; I’m going to guess that you don’t mean you’re forgetting to put the toilet seat down.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is very common. Depending upon how you define ED, there are 15 million to 30 million men who have it. ED ranges from complete impotence to unsatisfactory performance.

But it doesn't have to be a part of getting older. As you age, you may need more stimulation and more time, but older men should still be able to get an erection and enjoy sex.

The incidence of ED increases with age. Between 15 and 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience this problem. In older men, ED usually has a physical cause, such as a drug side effect, disease or injury. Anything that damages the nerves or impairs blood flow in the penis can cause ED.

The following are some leading causes of erectile dysfunction: diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), prostate surgery, hormone imbalance, alcohol and drug abuse.

And, of course, there are your emotions. It should be no surprise that, if you’re having a relationship problem with your sex partner, you can suffer from ED. Here are some other psychological influences: anxiety over a previous failure, everyday stress, depression, and feeling unattractive to your partner. If you’re suffering from ED, you should see your doctor for a discussion and physical exam.

Monitoring erections that occur during sleep can help the diagnosis.

Healthy men have involuntary erections during sleep. If nocturnal erections do not occur, then ED is likely to have a physical rather than psychological cause. Tests of nocturnal erections are not completely reliable, however.

The cause of the ED will determine the treatment. Some ED medicines are injected into the penis. Other medicines are taken orally. In addition to medicines, there are vacuum pump devices and surgery.

Millions of men have benefited from three drugs that treat ED. These three, which are advertised endlessly, are Viagra, Levitra and Cialis. All of them increase blood flow to the penis, which produces an erection. Viagra, Levitra and Cialis improve the response to sexual stimulation, but they do not trigger an automatic erection as injections do.

Oral testosterone can reduce ED in some men with low levels of natural testosterone, but it is often ineffective and may cause liver damage. Nitroglycerin, a muscle relaxant, can sometimes enhance erection when rubbed on the penis.

Research on drugs for treating ED is expanding rapidly. If you have ED, you should ask your doctor about the latest advances.

Ask Fred

If you would like to ask Fred a question, please use this form. Fred is not able to respond to all questions. Your name will not be used in Fred's column.

All Rights Reserved © 2007 by Fred Cicetti

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.