VIAGRA, CIALIS OR OTHER PILL ISN’T EFFECTIVE FOR YOU?
DON’T GIVE UP YET!
DON’T GIVE UP YET!
In a previous post, I discussed the differences between these ED meds. But what if none of them work for you even if taken correctly?
Well, in order to get an erection, three things must happen and all three must happen properly. First, there must be arousal. The guy has to be turned on and interested in having sex. 2) If there is adequate arousal then nerves fire, first in the brain, then the spinal cord, then the target organ – the penis. 3) If all of the nerves work properly, the cavernosal nerves of the penis cause dilation of the blood vessels in the corpora cavernosa, bringing in fresh blood and causing tumescence (AKA boner, hard-on, stiffy or insert whatever term you use).
It is important to understand who these pills do work for. They work for men with erectile dysfunction AKA ED caused by mild to moderate vasculogenic dysfunction. This means a man who has had gradual worsening of the blood flow to his penis. This is caused by age, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, and some medications. Fortunately, the majority of ED that men experience as they age is vasculogenic and therefore at least partially responsive to oral medications.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU HAVE VASCULOGENIC ED, YOU MAY HAVE OTHER SITES OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. THIS MEANS THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL OF THE POTENTIAL FACTORS ABOVE EVALUATED TO ASSESS YOUR RISK OF HEART ATTACK OR STROKE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOU MAY NEED FURTHER WORKUP OF YOUR HEART AND OTHER ARTERIES.
It is also important to know that Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) do not cause heart attacks. In fact, they are generally quite heart-friendly because they dilate the coronary vessels.
Now, Viagra and Cialis may not work if you have vascular disease that is too severe or IF YOU HAVE ED for other reasons, such as neurogenic or psychogenic causes.
NEUROGENIC ED – Neurogenic ED can be caused by things such as diabetes, neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, or nerve damage from back injury. This is also common in men who have had prostate cancer surgery. If the nerves don’t fire, all of the Viagra in the world isn’t going to get you there.
PSYCHOGENIC ED – This one is complicated. As stated above, you have to have arousal. You have to be focused on your partner. You can’t be thinking about your job, football, fishing, cooking or whatever else may distract you. Relationship strife can lead to psychogenic ED.
Performance anxiety is also a major cause. I’ve seen many dudes who had one bad showing with the GF or Mrs., and begin to worry about whether or not the erector set is going to work the next time. Then when the time arrives the guy is more focused on the status of his boner than on his partner. No bueno. It all spirals from there.
To be clear, low testosterone is rarely the sole cause of ED. Don’t let anybody tell you that you have to be on testosterone to treat your ED. However, low T can cause decreased interest in sex, sometimes severe enough to cause psychogenic ED.
THE GOOD NEWS AS THAT REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE OR SEVERITY OF YOUR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION, THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS BEYOND PILLS.
This is one of our specialties at The Men’s Center.
For more information check out our Erectile Dysfunction page or stop by and see us!