Erectile Dysfunction: When Viagra Doesn't Work

Experts discuss alternative treatments for erectile dysfuntion.

In his early 40s, Ron Hanson was too young to be having trouble getting and sustaining erections. But like many men, he was too embarrassed at first to talk about the problem. Hanson (not his real name) waited seven years to see a urologist. By the time he spoke up, erectile dysfunction had become a household word, thanks to the popularity of the drug Viagra. But the widely touted drug, Hanson soon learned, doesn't work for everyone.

When Viagra (sildenafil) hit the market in 1998, some men thought it was the long-awaited answer to their problems. Many rushed to doctor's offices to give it a try. According to the Grey Clinic in Indianapolis, which specializes in erectile dysfunction, 17% of men between 18 and 55 experience occasional impotence, while 6% have regular erectile difficulties. For men over 55, that number jumps to about one in three. Some common causes of impotence are diabetes, heart disease, and psychological problems. It also frequently occurs after prostate cancer surgery.

The Next Viagra?

Uprima was supposed to be the next hot drug for erectile dysfunction. What happened?

In the two years since it rocketed onto the market -- and became, almost overnight, a household word -- the impotence drug Viagra has helped men with erection problems enjoy satisfying sex. The little blue pill fired the male imagination with the notion of an enduring and youthful virility that could last into the golden years.

But truth is, Viagra is not the sexual cure-all that many men who have problems with erectile dysfunction believed it to be. As many as two in five men who try the drug don't get the desired results. And at least 39 Viagra users have died, mostly men who were also taking other drugs, or who had serious heart disease (see the November-December 1998 issue of Clinical Therapeutics).

Biking and Erectile Dysfunction: A Real Risk?

Some experts say ED may be an unwelcome side effect of bicycle riding.

For men, the health benefits of bicycling may involve a troublesome trade-off. While riding a bicycle burns calories and improves cardiovascular fitness, too many hours on a bicycle saddle can compress the artery and vital nerves leading to the penis.

The result? A risk of numbness, pain, and erectile dysfunction.

A male cyclist can place a significant percentage of his weight on his perineum, an area between the scrotum and the anus where the nerves and arteries to the penis pass. This pressure -- and a narrow saddle seat -- can injure the arteries and nerves.

A Woman's Guide to Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a man's condition, but there are ways women can help.

Suzanne Andrews, 46, an occupational therapist near Daytona Beach, Fla., realized there was a problem the first time she and her husband, Glenn, 53, tried to make love.

She guessed it was ED, or erectile dysfunction, but didn’t know the cause, or the remedy. As the host of Functional Fitness, which airs on her local PBS station, WDSC TV, Andrews is used to solving challenges at work -- and she was equally determined to find a solution in the bedroom.

Erectile dysfunction, which affects an estimated 15 million to 30 million Americans and is more prevalent in men over 40, is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for sexual function. It can be precipitated by medication, depression, stress, hormonal abnormalities, and other factors.

Overcoming Ejaculation Problems

Too fast? Too slow? Treating Ejaculation Problems

Are ejaculation problems an issue of mind over matter?

Well, if a man and his partner don't mind how long it takes him to ejaculate, then it really doesn't matter. For example, Ian Kerner, PhD, a sex therapist and author of She Comes First, advises men to bring their partners to the brink of orgasm before having intercourse. Then, if he's prone to premature ejaculation, it doesn't matter since both of them come away satisfied.

Conversely, if a man takes longer than average to ejaculate, but both partners enjoy marathon sex sessions, then delayed ejaculation can be a real plus.

When Sleep Problems Cause Sex Problems

Lack of sleep can wreak havoc on sex, relationships, and your social life.

By the time people with sleep problems come to the Penn Sleep Centers at the University of Pennsylvania, many of them are no longer sleeping with their spouses.

“People who have trouble sleeping often develop elaborate routines over time,” says Phil Gehrman, PhD, CBSM, assistant professor of psychiatry and clinical director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. “They become very sensitive to anything they think might threaten their sleep. And one of the things that can disturb sleep is a bed partner.”

Sexual Problems in Men

A sexual problem, or sexual dysfunction, refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. The sexual response cycle has four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

While research suggests that sexual dysfunction is common (43% of women and 31% of men report some degree of difficulty), it is a topic that many people are hesitant to discuss. Fortunately, most cases of sexual dysfunction are treatable, so it is important to share your concerns with your partner and doctor.

Understanding Male Sexual Problems: Diagnosis and Treatment

How Do I Know If I Have Male Sexual Problems?

The most important way for your health care provider to diagnose a sexual problem is to listen carefully to the story you tell, review the list of medications and substances you use, and try to determine whether your difficulties are recent, long-standing, or have been a permanent fixture thus far in your life. It's also important for your health care provider to understand your level of knowledge about your body and about sexuality.

Your health care provider will probably encourage you to talk about your relationship with your partner, your past sexual history, any history of trauma, possible symptoms of depression, and any other stresses or concerns that may be interfering with your ability to respond sexually. Though these topics may seem extraordinarily private, they must be covered to properly evaluate sexual dysfunction and help you have a more satisfying sex life.

Panic attack treatment

The root of panic attacks isn’t completely comprehended but what is understood is that this could affect any person, without any reason, regardless of age which means a happy and healthy person has an equal chance of experiencing an attack as someone who is suffering from depression. A situation of panic attack can occur as you’re at your house, sitting on your couch, watching TV, when driving, shopping or walking, while at your office, etc., and can even occur when you’re sleeping.
In such circumstances, methods of therapy may change from individual to individual, dependent upon their conditions, symptoms, lifestyle, and how often the attacks occurred. Generally though, therapy involves psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or possibly meds though different interventions which might be used are meditation, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and herbal intervention.

Understanding Male Sexual Problems - Prevention

How Can I Prevent Male Sexual Problems?

These suggestions may help you avoid sexual problems:

* Avoid problems with blood flow: Don't smoke; control your blood pressure, cholesterol level, and medical conditions such as diabetes.

* Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs that can lessen sexual desire or impair your performance.

* Discuss side effects of medications with your doctor or pharmacist in case an alternative with fewer sexual effects is available. Never change your medications without your doctor's approval and guidance.

* Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.

Today's Meditation - What's at the Core of Your Personality?

“A life consistent with your values makes you secure, confident and strong.”

What do you believe in? What do you stand for? In other words what are your values?

Values lie at the very heart of all you do as a woman, because values create the core of your personality and character. Only when your values are clear and you honor them, can you experience consistent self-confidence and self-esteem.

Think about what’s important to you. Ask yourself, “What do I value?” “To what do I aspire?” and even “What do I despise?” Honest answers to these questions make you secure, confident and strong.

Do you live a life consistent with your values? If not, make changes until you can answer,"Yes!"