Erectile Dysfunction: Vacuum Constriction Devices

May 26, 2008 on 10:51 pm | In Erectile dysfunction help | No Comments

A vacuum device (VCD) is an external pump with a band on it
that a man with erectile dysfunction can use to get and maintain an
erection.

The VCD consists of an acrylic cylinder with a pump that may be attached
directly to the end of the penis. A constriction ring or band is placed on the
cylinder at the other end, which is applied to the body. The cylinder and pump
are used to create a vacuum to help the penis become erect; the band or
constriction ring is used to help maintain the erection.

The pump helps the penis become erect while the band maintains the
erection.

How Does It Work?

To use the device:

  • Place the pump, which can be pumped by hand or run on batteries, over the
    penis.
  • Pump the air out of the cylinder so that a vacuum is created. The vacuum
    draws blood into the shaft of the penis and causes it to swell and become
    erect.
  • Once the penis is erect, with the help of lubricant, slide the retaining
    band down onto the lower end of the penis.
  • Remove the pump after releasing the vacuum.

Intercourse can be attempted with the constriction band in place to help
maintain the erection. The band can be left on safely for up to 30 minutes to
allow for successful intercourse.

How Well Do Vacuum Constriction Devices Work?

Studies suggest that about 50%-80% of men are satisfied with the results of
VCD. As with any other method of treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED),
satisfaction rates may decrease with time.

Who Should Consider Using a Vacuum Constriction Device?

Vacuum constriction devices are safe and can be used by patients with ED
caused by many conditions, including:

  • Poor blood flow to the penis
  • Diabetes
  • Surgery for prostate or colon cancer
  • issues such as anxiety or depression

Vacuum constriction devices should not be used by men who may have a
significant congenital bleeding disorder or a disorder that predisposes them to
a condition called priapism (a prolonged, sometime painful erection lasting
over several hours). Examples include sickle cell anemia, some forms of
leukemia, and other blood conditions.

What Are the Side Effects?

An erection obtained by the vacuum constriction device is not the same as an
erection achieved naturally. The penis tends to be purplish in color and can be
cold or numb. Other side effects can include:

  • A black and blue mark or small area of bruising on the shaft of the penis.
    This is usually painless and generally will resolve in a few days.
  • Decrease in the force of the ejaculation. The constriction band traps the
    ejaculate or semen at the time of orgasm. This is not dangerous and usually
    does not cause pain. The semen will usually dribble out once the constriction
    band is removed. Generally, this does not interfere with the pleasure of a
    climax or orgasm.

How Much Does the Device Cost?

Vacuum constriction devices vary in cost from $300 to $500, depending on the
brand and type. The versions tend to be more expensive, but
also tend to work a little more quickly. Battery-powered devices are especially
helpful for men who do not have good hand strength or coordination, or who have
arthritis.

There are several devices currently on the market that work effectively.
Some of these devices can be obtained without a prescription.

Does Insurance Cover the Devices?

Most insurance policies, including Medicare, cover at least part of the
costs of a vacuum constriction device, especially if a medical cause for ED has
been documented. Medicaid, however, does not cover the device.

Erectile Dysfunction: Lifestyle Factors Linked to ED

May 25, 2008 on 8:36 am | In Erectile dysfunction help | No Comments

Most of us know by now that smoking is bad for the lungs, being overweight
is bad for the heart, and stress can lead to headaches and anxiety. But, did
you know that all of these factors can also cause erectile ? Learn
how smoking and other lifestyle factors cause ED.

  • Smoking. Smoking increases a person’s risk of atherosclerosis
    (hardening of the arteries) which can reduce blood flow throughout the body,
    including to the penis, impairing a man’s ability to gain an erection. Quitting
    smoking can help some men partly or fully restore erectile function.
  • Being overweight. According to The American Urological Association
    (AUA), overweight men are more likely to have ED. Being overweight increases a
    person’s risk of vascular disease,
    a known cause of erectile dysfunction.
  • Sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of ED,
    according to the AUA.
  • Poorly managed diabetes. diabetes can impact blood flow
    to and nerve endings of the penis. By maintaining a healthy diet, getting
    regular exercise, and taking the medicine, men with diabetes may be
    able to avoid diabetes-related
    ED.
  • High cholesterol. High cholesterol can damage the linings of blood
    vessels throughout the body, including those in the penis. Cholesterol also can
    harden, narrow, or block the arteries leading to the penis. By maintaining a
    healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking the appropriate medicine,
    men can lower their cholesterol and reduce their risk of ED.
  • Excessive use of alcohol. Excessive drinking (more than 2 drinks a
    day) can inhibit erectile by causing a restriction in blood flow to
    the penis and can affect production of the male hormone , affecting
    sex drive and erections.
  • Illegal drug use. Marijuana, cocaine, and other illegal drugs can
    cause impotence by damaging blood vessels and/or restricting blood flow to the
    penis.
  • Stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are leading causes of
    temporary ED. Too much stress can prevent relaxation, making it difficult to
    achieve or maintain an erection. Less stress can mean improved erectile
    functioning.

Men can take active steps to prevent ED or improve their condition by
adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Reviewed by the doctors at the Glickman Urological
Institute at The Cleveland Clinic.

Gene Therapy May Treat Erectile Dysfunction

May 24, 2008 on 6:30 am | In Erectile dysfunction help, Erectile dysfunction symptoms | No Comments

TUESDAY, May 20 (HealthDay News) — Gene therapy may be a way to
treat erectile dysfunction in men who do not respond to pills such as
Viagra, researchers report.

Maxi-K gene therapy is a gene transfer that improves erectile
dysfunction. Two studies using the gene were presented Tuesday at the
American Urological 's annual meeting, in Orlando, Fla.

“Gene transfer technology has the potential for long-term improvement
for erectile function,” lead researcher Dr. Arnold Melman, a professor of
medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, said
during a morning teleconference Tuesday.

“The market for erectile dysfunction is quite large,” Melman said. “And
medications such as Viagra don't work very well in 40 percent of men.”

Melman noted that a recent survey showed that 50 percent of urologists
would consider switching their patients from their current medications to
gene transfer treatment. “So, we think this will be well-accepted by
physicians and patients,” he said.

Results of a phase I trial testing gene transfer in 11 men with
erectile dysfunction who had failed other therapy showed that gene
transfer was safe and also had restorative effects. Four different doses
were tried during the trial. Men receiving the highest dose showed
improvement for up to six months, Melman said.

“These men had normal sexual function for six months and then went back
to the way they were,” Melman said. He added that two doses a year would
be enough for most men to maintain their normal sexual function.

During two years of follow-up, none of the men reported any
abnormalities after the gene transfer. The procedure was safe, and no
adverse effects were seen, Melman said.

Based on these findings, Melman's group is moving on to new trials and
hopes to have a product on the market within two years.

In another trial, four monkeys were fed a high-fat diet, which reduced
their sex drive. After the monkeys received a Maxi-K gene transfer, they
became friskier.

In addition, the number of partial and full erections increased about
fivefold, the researchers found. Also, the frequency of ejaculations
increased among the monkeys that received the gene transfer. Moreover, the
gene transfer affected how the monkeys behaved with female monkeys.

“The most fascinating thing is there was the increased socialization,”
lead researcher George J. Christ, a professor of urology and head of the
Program in Cell Tissue and Organ Physiology at the Wake Forest Institute
for Regenerative Medicine, said during Tuesday's teleconference. “After
receiving a gene transfer and regaining sexual function, they felt better
about themselves.”

More

For more on erectile dysfunction, visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases.

See related site about .

Erectile dysfunction predicts heart problems: study

May 23, 2008 on 4:52 am | In Erectile dysfunction help, Erectile dysfunction symptoms | No Comments

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) -
Problems with an
erection may foretell heart trouble ahead for men with type 2
diabetes, two new studies show.


A number of past studies have found a connection between
erectile dysfunction (ED) and heart disease. But the new
findings, published in the Journal of the American College of
Cardiology, confirm that ED often precedes and predicts heart
trouble.

This, say , suggests that men with ED should be
especially vigilant about controlling heart disease risk
factors.

In one study, Italian researchers found that among 291 men
with type 2 diabetes, those who also had ED had twice the risk
of suffering a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular
complication over the next four years.

At the start of the study, all of the men had had evidence
of “silent” heart disease — meaning they had plaque buildup in
their arteries on imaging tests, but no heart disease symptoms,
such as chest pain. Having ED seemed to pinpoint those men who
were at particular risk of a complication.

There was some good news as well, however: Taking
-lowering statins appeared to reduce the risks
associated with ED, according to the researchers, led by Dr.
Carmine Gazzaruso of the Clinical Institute “Beato Matteo” in
Vigevano, Italy.

In the second study, Hong Kong researchers found that among
diabetic men with no indications of heart disease at the
outset, those with ED were 58 percent more likely to die of
heart disease, or have a heart attack or other non-fatal
cardiac “event.”

“Erectile dysfunction is an important warning sign of
future adverse heart events or even death,” study chief Dr.
Peter Chun-Yip Tong, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong,
told Reuters Health.

The main reason, he explained, is that ED is an early
manifestation of the blood vessel damage caused by diabetes and
other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood
pressure.

Tong that all men with diabetes tell their
doctor if they begin to have problems getting or maintaining an
erection. They can then have a comprehensive assessment of
their cardiovascular risk factors — such as measurements of
their blood pressure, cholesterol, waist size and kidney
function — and work on getting those under control.

Indeed, the Italian study suggests that diabetic men with
ED can cut some of their heart risks by using a statin.
Gazzaruso's team found that among patients with ED, those who
were on a statin had a one-third lower chance of suffering a
heart attack or other complication during the study.

There was also evidence that men taking a class of ED drugs
called PDE-5 inhibitors, which includes Viagra, had lower heart
risks. According to the researchers, this may reflect the fact
that the drugs improve the function of the inner lining of
artery walls.

The bottom line, according to Tong, is that men with
diabetes and ED should have all of their modifiable heart risk
factors “identified early and treated aggressively.”

SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, May
27, 2008.

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Erectile Dysfunction a Strong Harbinger of Heart Trouble

May 21, 2008 on 7:59 pm | In Erectile dysfunction help, Erectile dysfunction symptoms | No Comments

MONDAY, May 19 (HealthDay News) — Findings from two studies of
men with diabetes add to the evidence that erectile dysfunction can be a
powerful early warning sign for serious heart disease.

A Hong Kong study of 2,306 men with diabetes but no signs of heart
disease found that those with erectile dysfunction at the start were 58
percent more likely to have a heart attack or other major cardiac problem
over the next four years than those with adequate sexual function.

And Italian physicians who followed 291 men who had diabetes and early
coronary heart disease for four years reported similar numbers — those
with erectile dysfunction were twice as likely as men without the problem
to have major adverse events, including strokes.

There's a physical connection between male sexual failure and heart
disease, involving the effect of diabetes on the nervous system and the
blood vessels, said Dr. E. Scott Monrad, a professor of clinical medicine
at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.

“Neuropathy would interfere with the neurogenic responses feeding into
proper erection,” Monrad said. “And of blood flow into the
arteries reduces the pressure needed to achieve erection.”

It has been known that erectile dysfunction shares many risk factors
with coronary heart disease, such as high blood pressure, smoking and
diabetes, according to Dr. Robert A. Kloner, a professor of medicine at
the University of Southern California, who wrote an accompanying editorial
on the reports, which were expected to be published in the May 27 issue of
the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

“What is new here is that erectile dysfunction remained a significant
risk factor for developing heart disease after for other
cardiovascular risk factors,” Kloner said in a statement.

“These reports add two things to what we already know,” said Dr. R.
Parker Ward, an associate professor of medicine at the University of
Chicago, who led an earlier study linking erectile dysfunction with heart
disease. “One is that they indicate the importance of erectile dysfunction
in diabetic patients in terms of predicting future cardiovascular events.
These studies suggest that the additional presence of erectile dysfunction
places them at incrementally higher risk. Secondly, they show that even
when considered in combination with traditional risk factors, erectile
dysfunction offers incremental information about the risk of future
cardiovascular events.”

Cholesterol-reducing statins lowered the incidence of cardiac events by
a third, the Italian researchers reported, and Viagra and other drugs for
erectile dysfunction also appeared to lower the risk, although the
reduction was not statistically significant, meaning that it could be due
to chance.

“I strongly caution that we do not have enough evidence at this point
that the drugs used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction have any
beneficial effects on the development of heart disease,” Ward said.

Physicians should be more forward in talking about sexual
with men, Monrad said, since “this may prove to be a very sensitive marker
for all the other things we measure for cardiovascular risk, an early and
more sensitive measure if we could get over all our puritanic
inhibitions.”

of erectile dysfunction “should prompt us to be even
more aggressive about lifestyle change, in diet and exercise,” Page said.
“It potentially may suggest more aggressive treatment of risk factors such
as high blood pressure and cholesterol.”

More information

Learn about erectile dysfunction from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases.

Read another articles about .

Most Canadian men cut back on fat, but won’t give up meat or try yoga: poll

May 20, 2008 on 6:30 pm | In Erectile dysfunction help, Erectile dysfunction symptoms | No Comments

0

  • What's this

By The Canadian Press

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TORONTO - A new poll suggests the modern Canadian male lifestyle includes cutting back on calories and fat, but very few men are willing to give up their red meat or try yoga.

And it appears more men are worried about their performance in bed instead of the hair from their head.

The Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll asked Canadian men about some of their lifestyle habits and found that a majority were trying to eat healthier.

Seventy-six per cent said they were trying to eat less fat, 63 per cent said they were trying to eat less salt, and 57 per cent were watching their calories.

But only four per cent said they were and only two per cent said they practised yoga.

Only three per cent said they had used a hair-loss medication, while seven per cent of the 1,000 men polled - and 14 per cent of those over 50 - said they had taken medication for erectile dysfunction.

“As Canadian men get older some worry less about hair loss and more about sexual capacity,” said Decima president Bruce Anderson.

“That fully one in seven men over the age of 50 report taking erectile dysfunction medications reveals how large a market has developed for these products in a relatively short period of time.”

The poll was conducted between Feb. 21 and Feb. 24 and is accurate within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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Canadian men cutting back on fat, but won’t give up meat or try yoga: poll

May 19, 2008 on 6:16 pm | In Erectile dysfunction help, Erectile dysfunction symptoms | No Comments

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By Michael Oliveira, The Canadian Press

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TORONTO - He’s watching his weight, eating organic and may pop a pill to keep some magic alive in the bedroom, but don’t expect the modern Canadian male to do yoga or give up red meat to stay healthy.

A Canadian Press survey of 1,000 Canadian men suggests there’s a clear trend toward developing better eating habits and a healthier lifestyle.

Seventy-six per cent said they were trying to eat less fat, 67 per cent were eating more fibre, 63 per cent were trying to reduce salt in their diet, and 57 per cent were watching their calorie intake.

But two numbers signal the modern Canadian man will only go so far to attain a better body.

Ninety-six per cent said they eat meat and 98 per cent said no way to yoga.

“We have a very significant number of people who report they’re in pursuit of a healthier food regiment, but what’s interesting is there are far more people who’ll say the approach that they’re taking is looking for more organic foods than (those who) say they’re moving towards vegetarianism,” said Harris-Decima president Bruce Anderson.

“(And while) there are some things that both men and women seem to be pursuing in tandem as part of how they evolve their lifestyles, yoga isn’t one of them.”

The poll results also suggest aging men are more concerned about their in bed rather than going bald.

Only three per cent said they had sought out hair-loss medication, while seven per cent of the 1,000 men polled - and 14 per cent of those over 50 - said they had taken medication for erectile dysfunction.

“As Canadian men get older, some worry less about hair loss and more about sexual capacity,” said Anderson, who thought the numbers were significant erectile dysfunction medications are relatively new to the market.

“That fully one in seven men over the age of 50 report taking erectile dysfunction medications reveals how large a market has developed for these products in a relatively short period of time,” he said. “Obviously these drugs have given lots of people a new lease on at least a part of their life.”

About one in three men - and 53 per cent of men under 25 - also said they wear cologne or after shave on a regular basis.

The poll was conducted between Feb. 21 and Feb. 24 and is considered accurate within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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Sexual Health: Sexual Problems in Men

May 18, 2008 on 4:00 pm | In Erectile dysfunction help | No Comments

A sexual problem, or sexual dysfunction, refers to a problem
during any phase of the sexual
response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from
satisfaction from the sexual activity. The sexual response cycle has four
phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.

While research suggests that sexual dysfunction is common (43%
of women and 31% of men report some degree of difficulty), it is a topic that
many people are hesitant to discuss. Fortunately, most cases of sexual
dysfunction are treatable, so it is important to share your concerns with your
partner and doctor.

What Causes Sexual Problems?

Sexual dysfunction can be a result of a physical or
psychological problem.

  • Physical causes: Many physical and/or medical conditions can cause
    problems with sexual function. These conditions include diabetes, heart and
    vascular (blood vessel) disease, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances,
    chronic diseases such as kidney or liver failure, and alcoholism and drug
    abuse. In addition, the side effects of certain medications, including some
    antidepressant drugs, can affect sexual desire and function.
  • Psychological causes: These include stress and anxiety,
    concern about sexual performance, marital or relationship problems, depression,
    feelings of guilt, and the effects of a past sexual trauma.

Who Is Affected by Sexual Problems?

Both men and women are affected by sexual problems. Sexual
problems occur in adults of all ages. Among those commonly affected are those
in the geriatric population, which may be related to a decline in health
associated with aging.

How Do Sexual Problems Affect Men?

The most common sexual problems in men are ejaculation
disorders, erectile dysfunction, and inhibited sexual desire.

What Are Ejaculation Disorders?

There are different types of ejaculation disorders,
including:

  • Premature ejaculation — This refers to ejaculation that occurs
    before or soon after penetration.
  • Inhibited or retarded ejaculation — This is when ejaculation is
    slow to occur.
  • Retrograde ejaculation — This occurs when, at orgasm, the ejaculate
    is forced back into the bladder rather than through the urethra and out the end
    of the penis.

In some cases, premature and inhibited ejaculation are caused
by a lack of attraction for a partner, past traumatic events and psychological
factors, including a strict religious background that causes the person to view
sex as sinful. Premature ejaculation, the most common form of sexual
dysfunction in men, often is due to over how well he will perform
during sex. Certain drugs, including some anti-depressants, may affect
ejaculation, as can nerve damage to the spinal cord or back.

Retrograde ejaculation is common in males with diabetes who
suffer from diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage). This is due to problems with
the nerves in the bladder and the bladder neck that allow the ejaculate to flow
backward and into the bladder. In other men, retrograde ejaculation occurs
after operations on the bladder neck or prostate, or after certain abdominal
operations. In addition, certain medications, those used to treat
mood disorders, may cause problems with ejaculation. This generally does not
require treatment unless it impairs fertility.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is defined as the
inability to attain and/or maintain an erection suitable for .
Causes of erectile dysfunction include diseases affecting blood flow, such as
atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); nerve disorders; psychological
factors, such as stress, depression, and performance anxiety (nervousness over
his ability to sexually perform); and injury to the penis. Chronic illness,
certain medications, and a condition called Peyronie’s disease (scar tissue in
the penis) also can cause
erectile dysfunction.

What Is Inhibited Sexual Desire?

Inhibited desire, or loss of libido, refers to a decrease in
desire for, or interest in sexual activity. Reduced libido can result from
physical or psychological factors. It has been associated with low levels of
the hormone testosterone. It also may be caused by psychological problems, such
as anxiety and depression; medical illnesses, such as diabetes and high blood
pressure; certain medications, including some anti-depressants; and
relationship difficulties.

Preventing ED

May 17, 2008 on 8:15 am | In Erectile dysfunction help | No Comments


For people who are at risk of developing ED, taking active steps to prevent
its will not only help you maintain erectile function, but also help
you lead a healthier life overall. Some steps you can take to prevent ED
include:

  • Stop smoking.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Review your medications with your doctor and ask about possible
    substitutions for those that may cause ED (never stop or change a medication
    without first talking to your doctor).
  • Take prescribed medications as directed.
  • Avoid use of alcohol (more than two drinks a day).
  • Avoid the use of illegal drugs.
  • If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes or kidney disease, follow
    your doctor’s guidelines to keep these in control.

Viagra may help heart in muscular dystrophy: study

May 15, 2008 on 9:56 pm | In Erectile dysfunction help, Erectile dysfunction symptoms | No Comments


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By Will Dunham

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Canadian study involving mice shows that anti-impotence pills might protect the hearts of people with a common form of muscular dystrophy, researchers said on Monday.

Canadian researchers gave sildenafil, the active ingredient in drug maker Pfizer Inc’s Viagra, to mice with an animal version of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and found that it improved their heart performance.

They said it would be premature to give Viagra to people with the disease, but said the results indicate the drug potentially could be used to prevent or delay heart failure in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The mice were given doses of the drug comparable to those to treat erectile dysfunction in men. The study, published in the of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that sildenafil cut the levels of damage to contracting heart muscle cells.

“If you don’t give the sildenafil, the heart of these mice doesn’t function as well as normal mice, and they are more susceptible to stress-induced cell death,” said researcher Christine Des Rosiers of the Montreal Heart Institute.

She said in an interview the drug worked to improve heart performance in the mice by preventing the breakdown of a naturally occurring chemical. Called cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP, it is involved in a number of cellular signaling pathways, the researchers said.

Other impotence drugs also affect the chemical cGMP, including vardenafil, sold by Schering Plough under the brand name Levitra, and tadalafil, sold by Eli Lilly and Co. under the brand name Cialis.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited wasting disease characterized by weakness and degeneration of the muscles, including the heart muscle. It begins in the legs and pelvis, and later affects the whole body. Most people with the disease must use a wheelchair by about age 12.

It is caused by a genetic mutation of dystrophin, a protein vital to muscle cells.

Heart problems can appear at around age 10 and they progress quickly, affecting most people with the disease by age 20. These heart problems are an important cause of death among patients with muscular dystrophy.

Sildenafil was developed as a heart drug and is widely prescribed for erectile dysfunction as well as pulmonary . The researchers said discussions are under way about possible future studies using the drug in patients with muscular dystrophy.

“There’s a lot of information on this drug that shows it appears to be relatively safe in adults,” Des Rosiers said, while emphasizing that future human clinical trials are needed before doctors prescribe it for heart trouble in these patients. (Editing by Maggie Fox and Doina Chiacu)

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