| Two types of erectile dysfunction are distinguished. Rare as it is, primary erectile dysfunction means that a man has never had an erection sufficient for intercourse. Secondary erectile dysfunction, a more common loss of erectile ability after a normal function, normally proceeds slowly unless triggered by an injury or sudden disease. Psychological problems were once assumed to cause male sexual dysfunction. But today we are fully aware that conditions such as tension, depression and fear of sexual failure are at the root of only 10% to 20% of ED. In most cases it is triggered by physical factors, for instance blood vessel disorders, nerve damage, abnormalities in the genital area. ED can also be a side effect of certain prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.
Nonetheless, whatever the causes are, men who experience sexual dysfunction are commonly worried and feel guilty and powerless.
There are only 3 drug therapies sanctioned by the U.S. FDA to treat erectile dysfunction: Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra. All work by improving the blood flow to the penis, so that when a man is sexually stimulated, he can get an erection.
The drugs work in a similar way. There are insignificant differences in how long and how speedily the drug works. Levitra works a little longer than Viagra. They both take effect in about thirty minutes. Viagra works effectively for about 4 hours, whereas Levitra for 5 hours. Cialis works a little quicker (in about 15 minutes after administration), and the effects last far longer - up to 36 hours in some cases.
Though each drug has proven effective, none is cure-all. Moreover they can cause problems when interact with other medicines, particularly with nitrate or nitroglycerin heart medications, as well as result in more general side effects, such as headaches and - in the case of Viagra - visual changes.
Alongside drug therapies, there are other methods of treatments, such as mechanical therapies and surgery for severe cases of ED. The kind of therapy, therefore, depends on the severity of the disorder. |
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