Like other body parts that age and deteriorate over time, the penis also weakens in some men faster than in other males. Although the start of weaker erections varies, the average man would initially experience some difficulty in reaching an erection or maintaining one when he reaches his 40s or 50s.
A Flaccid StateA male has an erection when blood enters and is retained in the sponge-like tissues within the penis. Usually an erection is the physical response to a mental or physical stimulus such as the sight or image of a human body or certain body parts, erotic thoughts or other physical acts.
The mental or physical stimuli are transmitted as signals from the brain to the penis, which will result in the male reproductive organ becoming erect, which is generally a basic requirement for the creation of a human life.
The erect penis has a direct role in the propagation and increase of the human race, that the medical community even has specialized studies on ailments affecting erection, known as erectile dysfunction.
However, rising up to the occasion is a problem for a growing number of males around the world. Besides the age factor, other known reasons behind erectile dysfunction are the use of drugs such as anti-depressants and nicotine, psychological causes including performance anxiety, stress and mental disorders, vices such as smoking and drinking.
Among the physiological causes of ED are injuries to the brain and spinal cord, nerve disorders such as Parkinson’s diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke and diabetes. Some surgeries, particularly those of the colon, prostate, bladder or rectum could damage the nerves and blood vessels responsible for achieving and maintaining an erection.
Radiation therapy has also been pinpointed as causes of ED, as well as surgeries for prostate and bladder cancer, which require the removal and tissues and nerves surrounding a tumor in those body parts near the male reproductive organ.
Because of the importance many males place on having an erection as a reflection of his masculinity and the human need for sexual intimacy, men and the science and medical communities searched for cures for ED.
Seeking a CureAmong the early cures for ED were goat gland implants and mercurochrome injections in attempted to bring back male virility.
The breakthrough came when a major American drug company released an ED pill that became the talk of town. Launched in the market in 1998 under a well-known brand which has almost become synonymous with ED cure, sildenafil citrate was developed by British scientists to treat ED and hypertension.
It works by inhibiting the enzyme cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase which delays degradation of cGMP that regulates blood flow into the penis. Sold in 25, 50 and 100 mg diamond-shaped pills, sildenafil is taken between 30 minutes and 4 hours before sexual intercourse.
As the pioneer ED treatment, the maker of sildenafil earned billions of dollars from its sale in the U.S. and other countries that 2 years after its launch the brand enjoyed a 92 percent global market share for prescribed ED.
However, as competition came from three other major pharmaceutical firms, the global market share of the manufacturer of sildenafil went down to 50 percent in 2007. The new ones which secured regulatory approval as ED treatment were tadalafil, vardenafil and vardenafil HC1.
Among the three newer ED drugs, tadalafil – popularly called Alice in Wonderland because of the brand name’s similarity with the fairy tale character’s name – became a new hit because of its faster and longer effect within 15 minutes of taking and up to 36 hours in some males.
Side EffectsDespite the wonders that the prescribed ED pills have on the male ego and organ, like other drugs, these medications have side effects such as headache, flushing, dyspepsia, nasal congestion and impaired vision.
Other lesser known, but still serious adverse effects of ED drugs are priapism, severe hypotension, heart attacks, ventricular arrythmias, strokes, increased intraocular pressure and sudden hearing loss.
Notwithstanding these risks, many males with erection problems are willing to take the chances and despite the high cost of these ED drugs if only to achieve erection which was not much of a problem during their youth.
Because of the psychological effect of such achieving erection has on the male psyche, the ED pills have been seen as a fountain of youth among males who once lost their ability to rise to the occasion.
Additionally, an increasing amount of males feel that the benefits of these medications don't outweight the risks, and have thus taken their searches elsewhere.
Herbal AlternativesThere are at least five known herbal remedies for ED, namely: L-arginine, Propionyl-L-Carnitine, gingko, zinc and ashwagandha.
L-arginine is an amino acid which the human body uses to make nitric oxide, a substance that signals the smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels to relax, which allows enhance blood flow and leads to an erection. It's available as an oral L-arginine supplement, and is made by several different top vitamin manufacturers.
Propionyly-L-
carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine were found in one study to enhance the effectiveness of sildenafil which resulted in improved erectile function.
Gingko Biloba, also known as Maidenhair tree, Kew tree and Japanese silver apricot, is one of the oldest living tree species. In North America, it is the extract of gingko leaves that is used, while in traditional Chinese medicine, the seeds of the gingko tree are used.
Similar to gingko,
ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is also known as Indian ginseng because of its similar effect on the human body, particularly on sexual function.
Outside these five, there are other herbal remedies rumored to help men achieve and sustain an erection. However, caution has to be exercised by males because of the lack of scientific studies to prove the claim of their sellers.
What To DoFor men with serious and legitament cases of ED, talking to your doctor is a good place to start. Your doctor will be able to help explain the pros and cons of prescription and herbal remedies for ED, and working together you should be able to come to a solution that suits your needs without causing any long term side effects.
For men who are just looking to spice up their sex life, prescription ED medications may not be your best option. There are reports and horror stories abound from men who've tried these medications without legitament cause that have had long term and irreversable damages happen to them.
Lastly, ordering prescription ED pills - be it brand name or knockoff - from the Internet is dangerous, sketchy and never ever a good idea. Remember that to properly make these medicines, there is a strict routine and recipe required. Taking a pill that was made with lower quality ingredients - or one that was made without notice to the specific procedure - will almost certainly lead to complications, adverse side effects and a plethora of other problems.
