Viagra Equivalent

December 17th, 2008

High blood pressure who smoke are 26 times more likely to have erectile dysfunction. Conversely, men with erectile dysfunction (ED) are 38 percent more likely to have hypertension, or high blood pressure, than men without ED, according to a 2004 research study by Peter Sun, M.D., M.S., Ph.D., of Eli Lilly and Company. ED and hypertension share a common underlying factor - the constriction of blood vessels - indicating that ED could be a sign for larger, serious health problems. Cholesterol – High cholesterol leads to deposits on artery walls that limit blood flow throughout the body, including into the penis. Risk factors associated with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity include genetics, diet, and exercise. Heart Disease – The clogged arteries that result from heart disease and the damaged blood vessels associated with high blood pressure both limit blood flow into the penis. Hormonal abnormalities – Hormones are produced by various glands in the human endocrine system. Hormone balance is important for many normal body functions, but also for proper erectile function. Testosterone, an important male hormone produced by the testicles and responsible for the male sex drive. It also helps spark sexual interest, so one might assume that low levels of the hormone are to blame for erectile dysfunction. And it’s true that when hormone deficiency is a factor in ED, sexual desire also suffers. According to some estimates, 10% - 20% of men with ED also have hormonal abnormalities. However, the exact role that testosterone plays in ED remains unclear. Hormonal disorders causing ED (other than diabetes,Viagra Equivalent) are uncommon, but man- made hormone imbalances – specifically, those caused by anabolic steroids— are increasingly common. These hormones increase muscle mass, but often cause erection problems. The amount of testosterone in a man’s body gradually declines with age. This natural decline starts after age 30 and continues throughout life Causes of low testosterone levels (Viagra,hypogonadism) may be present at birth, or acquired later in life. They include: • Testicular problems • Pituitary problems • Hypothalamus problems • Chemotherapy • Damage occurring during surgery involving the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, or testicles • Glandular malformation • Head trauma that affects the hypothalamus • Infection (e.g., meningitis, syphilis, mumps) • Isolated LH deficiency (e.g., fertile eunuch syndrome,Viagra Equivalent) • Radiation • Testicular trauma • Tumors of the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, or testicles Inflammatory diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis causing lung inflammation). Medications, particularly hormones to treat prostate cancer and corticosteroid drugs Chronic illness Kidney disease Liver cirrhosis (scar tissue replaces normal, healthy liver tissue, blocking the flow of blood through the liver and impairing its function) Stress Alcoholism Injury/trauma to the pelvic area – e.g., pelvic fractures or crush injuries experienced in an automobile, motorcycle or other accident. Depending on the specific nature of the trauma, the accident victim may be left with injured nerves and/or penile arteries that cannot supply enough blood to the penis to provide an erection. Liver or kidney disease or failure Nerve damage (neuropathy,Viagra Equivalent), often resulting to the cavernous nerves Neurological disease – Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s Peyronie’s disease – Peyronie’s disease causes an uncommon sexual dysfunction resulting in a bent penis during erection. While mild penile curvature is normal among many men, the cause of bending in Peyronie’s is due to a hard, thickened, fibrous layer of scar tissue (plaque) that usually develops under t skin on the upper or lower side of the penis. When the penis is erect, the scar tissue prevents uniform tissue expansion, causing a curved penis. The plaque, formed by thickened layers of erectile tissue, is non-cancerous (benign).Francois de la Peyronie, a French surgeon, first described Peyronie’s disease in 1743. Because Peyronie’s disease involves deformity o an erect penis and may impair sexual intercourse, doctors have historically classified the condition as a form of impotence, now referred to as erectile dysfunction (ED). Although Peyronie’s disease can involve ED, doctors recognize ED as only one factor that may or may not be associated with the disorder. he f According to a 1995 report by the National Institutes of Health, Peyronie’s disease occurs in about 1% of men, is most common between the ages of 45 and 60, but also occurs in young and elderly men. Prevalence may be higher because of reluctance to seek medical attention for the condition and failure to report in cases with mild symptoms. Priapism - a persistent, usually painful erection that lasts for more than four hours and occurs without sexual stimulation. The condition develops when blood in the penis becomes trapped and unable to drain. If not treated immediately, it can lead to scarring and permanent erectile dysfunction. Causes include certain drugs, e.g., Desyrel, used to treat depression; or Thorazine, used to treat certain mental illnesses. It can also be caused by sickle-cell disease, where it’s estimated that 42% of adults with sickle-cell disease will develop priapism. ED injection medications may also cause priapism. Cocaine use is also a significant risk factor for priapism.