Erectile Disfunction
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or impotence as its sometimes referred to, is the inability for a man to get or sustain and erection long enough to allow for satisfying sexual intercourse.
Most men suffer from Erectile Dysfunction (ED) at some point within their life, usually by aged 40 and it becomes far more frequent and severe, as men get older.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) has a profound effect on the individual, which can relate to emotional problems, such as relationship issues and reduced self-esteem. Many men simply hide the fact that have are experiencing erectile problems, because they feel too embarrassed to discuss the issue, and choose to suffer in silence.
For this reason the true extent of numbers of men who suffer with erectile dysfunction are not truly known, however conservative statistics state that some 2.3 million men in the UK suffer with Erectile Dysfunction. The National Institute of Health in 2002 approximated that there are between 15 million to 30 million men in the United States who experience and suffer from chronic erectile dysfunction. Recent research does suggest that some 20% of relationship breakdowns are as a result of erectile dysfunction.
Chronic Erectile Dysfunction currently effect’s approximately some 5% of men over 40 and 15-25% of men by aged 65. Chronic Erectile dysfunction is best characterised as the inability to get or maintain an erection and is more long-term and is responsible for 10% of all cases of ED.
Transient Erectile Dysfunction is defined as a man who previously could obtain and maintain an erection and no longer can. Some 90% of ED cases are the Transient form and tend to be organic in nature.
Summary of ED Statistics:
- 1 in 10 men have erectile dysfunction (ED).
- Up to 30 million men in the USA and 2.3 million in the UK have ED.
- 40% of men by age 40 have ED.
- Over 65% of men in there sixties have ED.
- 20% of all relationship breakdowns are due to ED
- Up to 50% of men with diabetes suffer from ED
- Statistics show that only 33% of men with ED will actively seek advice
- 50 % risk factor for men who are smokers of having ED by their 30’s and 40’s.
What should I do if I have erectile problems?
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) was once considered an unmentionable subject, but a greater understanding on its causes and treatments, has allowed more and more men to talk openly about their erectile problems. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is treatable and Dr’s can advise the most suitable form of treatment for each individual. “Do not suffer in silence” as there are numerous treatments available today that range from Drug Therapies, Implants, Vacuum Pumps to Alternative Healthcare solutions.
What Are the Symptoms?
- The Inability to get an erection
- The Inability to maintain an erection
- If you obtain an erection it is not firm/rigid and you cannot maintain it long enough for you to achieve satisfying intercourse for yourself and your partner.
- High Cholesterol
- Various Prescriptive Medications (particularly blood pressure and cardio drugs)
- Smoking
- Excessive Alcohol Intake
- Diabetes (some 6 out of 10 Diabetics suffer from ED)
- Prostate Surgery
Clinical Studies
Clinical Studies on L’Arginine and Erectile Dysfunction.
Double-Blind Study by New York University School of Medicine.
Objective: To study the effect of L’Arginine supplementation for subjects with ED.
The late Adrian Zorgniotti (Professor of clinical Urology) from the New York University School of Medicine and Eli F Lizza MD conducted a study on 15 men with organic erectile dysfunction. The men were administered with a placebo for 2 weeks and then given a daily supplementation of L'Arginine for a further 2 week period. Of the 15 subjects, six had noticed an improvement while taking the L’Arginine (these 6 subjects were all under the age of 45). None of the 15 subjects had reported any improvement with the placebo.
Results of Study:
It was noted that within the beginning stages of the study (first 14 days), none of the men had experienced anything different, however by the end of the first 14 days, six of the 15 men had reported a significant increase and improvement in sexual ability and performance. In fact the improvement was 85% and they had reported that their erections were firmer and lasted longer, than they had previously. They advised that it had allowed them to perform sexually far more effectively and to maintain their erection for the duration, where this task had been impossible before. It was also noted that while using the daily supplementation of L’Arginine that none of the men reported any unpleasant or negative side effects. Note: The first 14 days of the study were conducted using a placebo and the second phase (next 14 days) were conducted using a daily supplementation of L’Arginine.
Conclusions:
It was concluded that L’Arginine had a positive effect of men with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and had improved their sexual ability and performance and did not appear to have any unpleasant side effects.
The Effect of of L’Arginine (oral administered dose) in men with organic Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
Department of Urology , Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Results of a double-blind placebo controlled study:
Objectives:
The objectives were to explore in a double-blind placebo controlled study, the effects of a six week duration of orally administered dosage of L’Arginine (Nitric Oxide) on men with organic erectile dysfunction (ED).
Subjects & Methods:
The study consisted of 50 men diagnosed and confirmed with erectile dysfunction (ED) who were selected at random after a 14 day placebo lead in period to receive either the L’Arginine or a placebo. A comprehensive sexual function questionnaire and diary (sexual activity) were obtained from each subject/patient. All of the men under went a full physical examination.
Results:
Nine of the 29 (31%) patients taking the L’Arginine and 2 of the 17 controls reported considerable improvement in sexual function. All nine of the patients who were given the L’Arginine and who had significant improvement in sexual function and performance had initially had low (urinary) levels of Nitric Oxide. It was noted that this level in these 9 subjects had doubled by the end of the study.
Conclusions:
Administration of an oral daily dosage of L’Arginine does seem to cause a considerable improvement in sexual function and performance in men with organic erectile dysfunction (ED).
How common is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
A number of studies have looked at the occurrence rates of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and just how prevalent it is. One study in particular that took place in Massachusetts, USA, was a male aging study that took a randomised cross sectional group from a community. The survey was conducted on 1290 men who aged between 40 and 70 years and took place over 2 years (between 1987 to 1989).
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) was to be reported/detailed by the individuals as mild, moderate or total. The combined occurrence rate that was reported Min, Moderate and Total Erectile Dysfunction (ED) was over 50%. The study showed that there was a definite increase between the occurrence rates of ED and aging.
It was noted that there was a 40% occurrence rate with men who were aged 40, which in turn dramatically increased to 70% for men who were 70+.