What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile Dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is defined as the point at which a man is unable to get or maintain an erection. It is a common condition affecting many men, with recent statistics showing that as many as 1 in 10 men suffer, worldwide. 

ED can be linked to physical, emotional, or environmental factors. Erectile dysfunction can be mild, in which a man cannot maintain an erection or ‘complete’, where a man cannot achieve an erection at all.

Despite erectile dysfunction prevalence and it being so common amongst men, it is still widely not spoken about and men are still very much embarrassed to bring it up. This can create a negative feedback loop in which the erectile dysfunction is worsened through the emotional frustration and embarrassment associated with ED.

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by many different factors; however, impotence is most commonly caused by an overall reduction in the blood flow to the penis as a result of aging. Erectile dysfunction may also be caused by conditions that affect the central nervous system, such as:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Multiple-sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease

High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and high levels of some types of cholesterol may also contribute to ED. Other medical conditions can bring on ED such as prostate cancer or various medical treatments. In some instances, starting new medications can cause ED as a side-effect. 

If you do notice you are having trouble getting or maintaining an erection after starting a new medication, inform your doctor so that this can be further investigated.

Hormones and lifestyle factors also play a large role in ED. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive drinking, and obesity have been shown to increase the likelihood of a man experiencing ED. 

Having low testosterone is also a factor that can stop you from achieving or maintaining a hard erection. If you believe you do have low levels of testosterone, it is best to get tested as soon as possible. Home testosterone testing kits are available through our online pharmacist. 

Psychological Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can also stem from a number of psychological reasons. Studies have shown that the most common cause of impotence in younger men is linked to mental and emotional factors such as depression, stress, and anxiety.  

Relationship problems or the inability to communicate how you are feeling about your condition may also trigger ED, which will cause you to think about it and internalise it further, potentially making the problem worse.

If you experience erectile dysfunction and other mental health issues, speak to a doctor. They will be able to organise mental health treatment, such as therapy or medication. For example, CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is proven to be very effective for anxiety and other mental health issues. If your anxiety stems from the bedroom, you could also consider psychotherapy or ‘sex therapy’.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

The treatment of erectile dysfunction varies depending on what the underlying issue is. We recommend speaking to a doctor first to assess and determine the cause. Once the problem has been diagnosed, then the next step is finding the correct treatment. Erectile dysfunction treatments may include:

• Implants and pumps
• Surgery 
• Exercises
• Oral medications
• Counseling 

It is advised that prior to trying any type of pharmacological intervention it is best to make lifestyle changes such as exercising daily, maintaining a healthy diet, cutting down alcohol intake, or stopping smoking if you do smoke. If all of this has been attempted, then generally you will be prescribed medication to help with your ED.

At Cloud Pharmacy, we offer a range of effective erectile dysfunction treatment options that are available to buy through our websites, such as Sildenafil and Tadalafil tablets. Once an online consultation has been completed and approved by one of our medical professionals, we will deliver it to your door the very next day (all orders placed before 3 pm). 

The medications available for erectile dysfunction all work in a similar way, however, they are broken down in your body differently to give you a shorter or longer effect. 

The most commonly used treatment for ED is Viagra (active ingredient: Sildenafil). Sildenafil starts working 30 minutes to 1 hour after taking it and will last, on average, for 4-5 hours depending on how much food you’ve had or how much you weigh.

The other medication that is becoming more and more popular is Cialis (active ingredient: Tadalafil). Tadalafil works in the same way as Sildenafil, however, it has earned the accolade of being called ‘the weekend drug’, this is because it stays active in your system for an average amount of time for 36 hours. This does not mean that you will have an erection for 36 hours straight, it means that for 36 hours it will be much easier for you to achieve and maintain an erection once stimulated.

If you would like advice on what treatment may be best for you, please do not hesitate in contacting us and our doctors or pharmacists will be able to guide you through the process of choosing the right treatment for you. 

Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms

Erectile dysfunction symptoms are usually simple to identify. They include struggling to get an erection, even when sexually aroused, trouble maintaining an erection, and a reduced sexual desire. 

Erectile Dysfunction Age

Erectile dysfunction is particularly common in older men. This is because the levels of testosterone gradually start to decline after the age of 30, accompanied by a gradual decrease in sex drive. However, that doesn’t mean that it will affect everybody over a certain age, it also affects many younger males.

Can High Blood Pressure Affect Erectile Dysfunction?

High blood pressure can certainly cause erectile dysfunction. This is because it can cause damage to the artery walls and prevent blood flow to the penis. When you see a doctor about erectile dysfunction, they will take your blood pressure to confirm whether this is an issue.

Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction

Most men have experienced difficulty getting an erection after consuming alcohol. This is because alcohol intercepts messages sent to the brain. Normally when you are aroused, the brain will tell the penis to fill with blood. However, the cognitive effects of alcohol can get in the way of this.

Furthermore, men who are dependent on alcohol may experience chronic erectile dysfunction. If you have any degree of alcoholism, you have a much higher chance of sexual problems, one of which is erectile dysfunction.

If you experience erectile dysfunction and also struggle with alcoholism, speak to a doctor. They can help you with ways to quit or at least reduce alcohol intake, which should help with your erectile dysfunction.

Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction

Smoking can cause impotence. This is because smoking can damage a person's blood vessels and narrow the arteries, which causes an insufficient blood supply to the penis, making it harder to maintain an erection. 

This is not usually permanent - if you quit smoking, your blood vessels will heal and your sexual health will in turn improve. Therefore, it is highly recommended to quit smoking if you experience erectile dysfunction. Not only could it improve your sex life, but it has countless other health benefits too.

Diabetes and Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction affects 35-75% of males with diabetes, rising to 95% of male diabetics who are over 70. This is because diabetes can affect the blood vessels and nerves needed to have an erection.

Risk factors that are associated with diabetes, including being overweight, smoking, and not exercising enough, also puts a man at higher risk of erection problems.

Erectile dysfunction can also be the first indicator of diabetes. Therefore, it is essential to see a doctor if you experience frequent erectile dysfunction. Diabetics with erectile dysfunction can take medication, such as Viagra, to help with their sexual problems. However, it is important to speak to a doctor about these medications before taking them as they can affect your heart rate.

Foods for Erectile Dysfunction

Some foods have been shown to help with mild erectile dysfunction, especially if it is brought on by stress or minor anxiety. Whether your concern is erectile dysfunction, prostate health, or low testosterone levels, the foods listed below may prove beneficial as they help boost your sexual health and function.

• Spinach: which contains a lot of folates and boosts your blood flow
• Apples: which can help with your prostate
• Oats: which are an aphrodisiac, largely because they have L-arginine which can boost your testosterone
• Carrots: which can improve your sperm count
• Chillis: which contains capsaicin which stimulates pleasure in your brain
• Avocados: which has a lot of vitamin E and zinc which can improve sperm quality
• Tomatoes: have lycopene and vitamin C, which can both help with getting and maintaining an erection
• Coffee: has also been reported to help men with erection problems

Erectile Dysfunction Tablets

At Cloud Pharmacy, we provide a range of treatments to combat erectile dysfunction, giving you a new lease on life. These include effective medications like Sildenafil, Viagra, or the popular ‘weekend pill’, Tadalafil. 

Cloud Pharmacy offers a convenient service, which allows you to obtain a prescription online and have your medication delivered to your door in under 24 hours in discreet packaging.