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People have known about erectile dysfunction well since the dawn of civilization. Along with many other health conditions male impotence has followed humanity through its entire evolution and plagued countless men in all times. There were numerous attempts to overcome this problem but with little success. All those potions, lotions, exotic foods and bizarre practices never provided substantial results leaving the problem intact until the late 1990′s when finally there was an effective treatment found. With the progress and advancement of modern medicine people have learned many new things about the condition that was always believed to be the fate of older men.

Today we know about erectile dysfunction and its causes much more than people did 15 years ago. One of the most common misconceptions people had about erectile dysfunction, as stated above, was that it’s an age-related condition. Yes, it’s true that men over 60 are more prone to developing ED than those of younger age. But having patients with ED who are in their 30′s and even 20′s certainly contradicts this concept. And the recent findings in the field of ED have confirmed that there are certain mechanisms involved other than aging.

Erectile dysfunction is hardly a disease on its own. It’s a symptom of more serious health conditions that the patient may be unaware of. Just like pain may be a sign of bone fracture, ED can be a sign of serious health problems you’ll have to take care of.

There are two types of health conditions that can provoke erectile dysfunction: psychological and physiological. Depending on the type of problem at cause the doctor will choose appropriate type of treatment. Psychological problems account for about 10% of all ED cases and include such conditions as depression, stress, mental illness, anxiety disorders, relationship problems and lack of rest. Physiological conditions that lead to erectile dysfunction make up the majority of all diagnosed cases and include the following health problems: hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate problems, heart diseases, obesity and lack of physical activity. So before getting down to serious treatment of erectile problems your doctor will certainly run you through a series of exams and tests in order identify the actual cause because only this way it’s possible to select adequate and effective treatment.

In order to get an idea of why it is important to identify the cause before treating ED, let’s take a simple example. You have certainly heard about drugs like Viagra and seen all the ads telling that these medications are effective in most cases of ED. However, when it comes to actual effectiveness drugs like Viagra can really help get strong erections only in cases of physiologically induced impotence when there are problems with blood circulation. If in your case the problem isn’t hypertension or high cholesterol but increased stress – you won’t find Viagra really effective since your case requires stress management techniques for effective treatment. That’s why knowing what is the root of the problem is half way to solving it.

Among all health problems and conditions erectile dysfunction is certainly the most uncomfortable to talk about for the average man. Male psyche is firmly linked to sexuality and when problems occur you can expect a shift in behavior and overall quality of life in a male patient. The traditional approach to sexuality and everything related to it that our society has overcome in only the past few decades doesn’t make it any easier. Some men still believe that discussing such matters even with their doctors isn’t a good idea since the topic is a taboo. Of course, such a misconception isn’t constructive at all and in order to get any adequate treatment you’ll need the help of your doctor. So how should you discuss erectile dysfunction with your doctor?

The first step to discussing ED with your physician is actually informing him that you have intimate problems. You can do this during your regular check-up or during a special consultation. Being shy about your problems won’t be very helpful while talking about it. Inform your doctor that you have problems with erection and he will certainly ask you for how long and how frequently these problems take place. Be informative and descriptive on the matter because the more precise you will be the easier it will be for your doctor to make a diagnosis and choose the correct course of action.

After you’ve discussed your erectile problems with your physician you are likely to be directed to additional tests and exams. Erectile dysfunction is often a sign of more serious health conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, hormonal imbalance, prostate issues and even cancer. That’s why you’ll have to go through respective tests in order to pinpoint the exact health condition that lies at the base of your erectile dysfunction.

Once the exact cause behind erectile dysfunction has been identified the doctor will be able to choose adequate treatment to restore your erectile functions. Despite the common belief, ED treatment is not limited to drugs like Viagra and doesn’t rely solely on them. Sure, you can receive a Viagra prescription for normalizing your sexual activity for a certain period but actual treatment goes far beyond than that. You’ll have to get rid of the problem at cause in order to wave erectile dysfunction goodbye and this can be a lengthy process. For example, if erectile dysfunction in your case is caused by high cholesterol then you’ll have to go through the full course of normalizing your cholesterol levels in order to gain any results. Of course, this isn’t as rapid as taking some Viagra pills to get yourself going but it’s a really effective measure that will have a positive impact on your health in overall.

Don’t lay off your doctor visit if erectile dysfunction troubles you. The earlier you start treating the condition the easier and more effective the treatment will be. Of course, it takes a bit of courage for some men to talk about such things as their sexual abilities but it’s better to do it rather than leave it alone and forget about having erections at all later.

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