There they are: loving couples walking on a moonlit beach, sipping chardonnay, gazing knowingly into each other’s eyes. Who hasn’t seen those TV and internet advertisements for erectile dysfunction (ED) medications such as Viagra and Cialis? “If you are suffering from ED, now’s the time to speak with your doctor,” the announcer says. In the real world, erectile dysfunction is not a natural topic of conversation men are willing to have, even with their doctor! If men would speak more openly about ED, they might learn that it is a very common condition, affecting approximately 30 million men in the United States, and there are medications that can help.
Still, men – as well as their partners – want to know more, specifically, can Viagra and other drugs help with ED?
What exactly is ED?
ED occurs when a man is unable to achieve or maintain an erection for sexual intercourse. ED is considered a urological problem but may develop into a very real psychological problem in which men feel embarrassed and inadequate that they are unable to satisfy their partner. As a result, they may become depressed, and their confidence and self-esteem may decrease dramatically.
How ED medications work
The erection process starts in the brain when a man is sexually aroused. The arousal causes an erection, that is the result of the brain chemical called nitric oxide functioning as a neurotransmitter. The nitric oxide works together with a muscle enzyme called guanylate cyclase to produce a messenger called cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP), which is, in turn, is responsible for increasing the size of the blood vessels carrying blood to the penis and decreasing the size of vessels carrying the blood out.
When the penis’s muscles become relaxed, blood can flow through the arteries to create pressure in the corpora cavernosa, the erectile tissue containing most of the blood. This is what makes the penis expand. The tunica albuginea, which covers a man’s testicles, then acts like a trap door, keeping the blood in the corpora cavernosa, resulting in an erection. In other words, when the veins in the penis get compressed and trap the blood, the penis hardens and an erection occurs. When the brain stops sending signals that indicate sexual arousal, the hormonal response ends. That’s when arteries return to their normal and your penis returns to its flaccid state.
The arousal should happen a lot faster than it takes to read the previous paragraph. But that doesn’t mean it happens to everyone. In fact, problems can occur when the small arteries in the penis become narrowed due to various reasons, reducing the blood flow to the penis creating flaccidity.
Can Viagra and Other Drugs Help Me?
Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and other medications used to treat ED, are categorized in a drug class called PDE5 inhibitors. For men suffering from ED, these PDE5 inhibitors are designed to help a man achieve – and maintain – an erection. They work by relaxing the blood vessels to allow more blood to flow to the places that need it most.
For about two-thirds of men with ED, these little pills do the trick. Viagra is usually prescribed by urologists to men who need them for a short time, or at least until they are able to maintain an erection without it. Urologists may also prescribe hormone replacement therapy or surgery for men who do not respond to medication or have underlying medical factors.
If you believe you may be suffering from erectile dysfunction, it may be time to talk to your urologist. Don’t wait, as not getting diagnosed or treated early can result in further complications.
To learn more about medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, and to find out if you are a candidate, call Ironwood Urology at (480) 961-2323 to request an appointment with men’s health specialist Dr. Desi Avila, or request an appointment online.
